Trip to France for winning chef

NINETEEN-YEAR-OLD aspiring chef Poh Zhe Kai has never been to Europe. But next week, he will be treated to a five-day trip to France, where he will dine at some of the most prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants - all-expenses paid.

The trip, along with S$3,000 cash, makes up Zhe Kai's prize for winning the second annual LAwards Culinary Challenge held last month at the Temasek Polytechnic Culinary Academy.

He went up against four other competitors from various local culinary institutions such as Shatec and the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in the final held on Aug 29, where they each had to prepare their interpretations of three dishes according to this year's Classic French theme - a French onion soup appetiser, a beef bourguignon main dish and a floating island dessert of meringue and crème anglaise.