Kimchi Battle Korea

The day's events kicked off with a "Kimchi fashion show" which allowed participants to take photos in front of a Kimchi themed backdrop wearing their chef aprons and hats with additional props including large sunglasses, boas and kitchen wear.  Later the photos were displayed and favorites were awarded prizes.

Kimchi cooking master Lee Ha-yeon was the guest of honor.  Lee Ha-yeon introduced the history of Kimchi and then demonstrated how to make baechu kimchi.  Following this the group was invited to make their own.

The main event of the day was the "kimchi battle."  The U.S., Canada, China, Latin America, Pakistan and Spain were selected to participate.  Each team was required to prepare a traditional national dish from their represented country, incorporating kimchi as one of the main ingredients.  Teams were given forty minutes time to complete their dish.

An impressive display of unique and sophisticated dishes were prepared.  Judges marveled as participants revealed native ingredients to prepare their plates.  China pounded and wrapped meat in a long grain as they prepared a kimchi spiced boiled pork.  Latin America created a kimchi taco, and Pakistan a sophisticated traditional multi dimensional dish.  One of the America teams made a  Texas BBQ pulled pork sandwich topped with a kimchi and apple relish. The other a humble dish of black-eyed peas spiced with kimchi.  Spain created not one but two dishes, a Spanish omelet and seafood paella.  

Team U.S.A. received first prize for their recipe entitled "kimchi in the heart of Texas- Creole black-eyed peas."  The dish was very simple consisting of boiled black-eyed peas spiced with kimchi and plated with rice. Team leader Renee Cummins spoke about the significance of  black-eyed peas during the American New Year's holiday.  Many southern Americans eat the dish for luck on this day.

The team winners were given prizes of 500,000 won for first prize, 300,000 won for second, 200,000 won for third prize and 100,000 won for fourth prize.