A new blind taste test food contest called the Vietnamese Delicious Food Award was announced at the Rex Hotel in HCMC’s District 1 on Wednesday by the Vietnam Institute of Nutrition and Mon Ngon Viet Nam (Vietnamese Delicious Food) Co. Ltd.
Nguyen Thi Lam, institute deputy director cum head of the organizing board, said that from June 1 to October 31 consumers will vote for their favorite food products and favorite Hanoi and HCMC restaurant dishes.
Voters will be given foods, but not the brand names.
“The Award will be handed to a product or dish instead of a company or restaurant brand,” Lam said, adding that this will encourage enterprises to improve food quality instead of polishing their images.
Vo Quoc, deputy director of Mon Ngon Viet Nam, said that he expected 30,000 votes from Mon Ngon Viet Nam magazine readers. “After the vote, organizers and nutritionists will sample winning products and visit restaurants to confirm quality,” Quoc added.
Quoc also announced the new Vietnamese Delicious Food Fair 2009 at 23/9 Park in HCMC November 5-8 and at Giang Vo Convention Center in Hanoi December 10-13. Awards will be presented at the fairs.
Expected to draw at least 300 food display booths, Quoc said that the fair would include live cooking shows and lessons in cooking and grocery shopping.
The Saigon Times