To cultivate professional Hakka culinary talent with global competitiveness, the Hakka Affairs Council organized the "Hakka Culinary Rising Stars Selection." Through practical skill assessments and real-world-oriented training, five "Hakka Culinary Rising Stars" were selected. Armed with innovative thinking and deep-rooted cultural heritage, these talent showcases entered the international arena to continually expand the global influence of "Ha-Food."
Starting in 2025, the chefs competed in prestigious events including the Taiwan Culinary Arts Challenge (TCAC) and La Cuisine Jakarta in Indonesia, followed by the Vietnam Culinary Challenge and the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge in 2026. Together, they achieved outstanding results—securing 2 Golds, 4 Silvers, 10 Bronzes, and 4 Honorable Mentions—demonstrating the profound cultural depth and masterful skills of Hakka cuisine on the world competition stage.
Among these rising stars, Chef Hsieh Tzu-Hsing participated in the World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS)-certified "FOOD & HOTEL SEOUL Culinary Challenge" from June 9 to 12, 2026. He competed in three high-spec categories: the "Nestlé Professional Modern Asian Wok Challenge," the "Nestlé Professional Asian Noodle Challenge," and the "Creative Asian Dumpling Challenge." As one of South Korea's most iconic and internationally recognized culinary competitions, the event brought together top culinary talent from around the globe.
Chef Hsieh skillfully incorporated iconic Hakka ingredients and flavors—such as preserved mustard greens, red shallots, kumquat sauce, and the classic elements of Hakka Stir-fry (pork belly, squid, and dried tofu). Combining refined craftsmanship, distinct flavor layering, and polished presentation, he created dishes that fused cultural identity with an international culinary language. Successfully transforming Hakka terroir into modern aesthetics with a global vision, his work earned high praise from the judging panel, ultimately winning 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze. Notably, his dish "Hakka Harmony & Korean Winds: Dual-Flavor Wok Noodles" achieved the second-highest overall score in its category.
This achievement vividly highlights the international potential and ongoing growth of Hakka culinary culture. We warmly invite everyone to stay tuned and witness Hakka cuisine shine bright on the world stage.
