Hundreds of traditional Vietnamese cakes were presented by talented Vietnamese artisans at the Vietnam Talented Pastry Chef Contest 2021 – 2022 on Tuesday at Rex Hotel in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, and wowed participants with delectable flavors and eye-catching designs.

The contest was organized by the Saigon Professional Chefs Guild and the Bep Banh Sai Gon Club.

According to Tran Thi Hien Minh, vice-chairman of the Saigon Professional Chefs Guild, in addition to Western cakes, Vietnamese traditional cakes are gaining popularity at four- to five-star restaurants and hotels.

'Banh pia' – a Vietnamese cake filled with durian, shredded lard, salted egg yolk, mung bean paste, or coconut. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Banh da lon (Vietnamese steamed layer cake), banh cam (deep-fried glutinous rice ball), banh chuoi nuong (Vietnamese baked banana cake), and many others have been elevated by skilled chefs who have modified their design, presentation, and arrangement to make them easier to consume and more accessible, especially for the demands of tourists from around the world.

“For instance, like banh com [green sticky rice cake], we selected Tu Le green sticky rice, a delicacy of northwestern Vietnam,” Minh said.

“The contest also features banh dau xanh trai cay [fruit-shaped mung bean cakes], a specialty of central Vietnam, demonstrating the meticulousness of women in Hue. 

'Banh bo xop,' a specialty in southern Vietnam. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

“In addition, we have banh chuoi and banh da lon for the southern region.

“The traditional sweets offered by street vendors are now embellished in order to enter the five-star hotel. 

“Vietnamese cakes are also elevated to a new level by the selection of fresh and high-quality ingredients.”

'Com xao' (stir-fried green sticky rice), a northern delicacy. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

'Banh goi khoai mi' – a Vietnamese steamed cassava cake wrapped in banana leaves. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Hue cakes are displayed at a food stall at the Vietnam Talented Pastry Chef Contest 2021 – 2022 in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, July 12, 2022. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

'Banh cam' – a Vietnamese deep-fried glutinous rice ball made of sticky rice flour, topped with sesame seeds, and filled with sweetened mung bean paste. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

'Che bap' – a Vietnamese sweet dessert made of corn and coconut milk. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

A plate of eye-catching 'banh dau xanh trai cay' (Vietnamese fruit-shaped mung bean cake). Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

'Banh it tran' – a Vietnamese sticky rice dumpling made of rice flour, salt, and water, while the filling is often a mixture of mung beans, pork or shrimp, onions, salt, and pepper. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Hue savory cakes are displayed at a food stall at the Vietnam Talented Pastry Chef Contest 2021 – 2022 in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, July 12, 2022. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

'Banh quai vac' – a Vietnamese crispy dumpling made of a mixture of flour, salt, sugar, while the filling includes minced pork and vegetables. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

'Banh bo' – a Vietnamese steamed cake dip with coconut milk. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Different kinds of cakes and sweet desserts are displayed at a food stall at the Vietnam Talented Pastry Chef Contest 2021 – 2 in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, July 12, 2022. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

'Rau cau' – a Vietnamese jello cake made with agar, coconut milk, condensed milk, and flavorings such as coconut, banana, chocolate, coffee, and vanilla. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

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Linh To - Nhu Binh / Tuoi Tre News