Hansik 2.0: Deborah Cooks Her Way To South Korea & N1m Cash Prize

Olabelurin Deborah has emerged the winner of the second edition of the Hansik (Korean) Food Contest.

Deborah cooked her way to a grand prize of N1 million and a trip to Korea; while Ruth Igbayilola Olowu and Patience Berepele placed second and third, with N700,000 and N400,000 cash prizes.

This is the first time the competition is throwing in a trip to Korea as part of the rewards for the winner. And to think that Deborah nearly missed it.

As the contestant initially admitted to LEADERSHIP, she had no intention of applying this year, considering her elimination at the semi-finals of the contest last year. However, when the contest deadline was extended, she thought, “why not? I love cooking. There is nothing to lose”.

This time, she decided (based on the contest requirement of a standard Korean standard cuisine, no fusions) – to lean in heavily on the Jang (the contest theme and Hansik foundational ingredient) in her Pan-Fried Sticky Ribs main course and Braised Beef in Soy Sauce otherwise known as (Jangjorim). It worked to her favour.

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“She stuck closely to the application of the Jang, infusing it into whatever category of dishes she made. There is also her plating, the simplicity of her dish, and the minimal difficulty she had while preparing the meal. She was at the top of her game at every beat. I wasn’t surprised she won,” said a jury chef at the contest, Chef Godfrey Mario Odoh.

Accepting her cash prize and golden cup, an excited Deborah screamed at the audience, “We are going to Korea.” (Well, her, not the audience).

Securing the second position ahead of two other previous winners in the contest was Ruth Igbayilola Olowu with her main dish – Spicy Beef Bulgogi with Rice, and a Pan-Fried Tofu and Sauce side dish. Igbayilola initially came into the contest intimidated by the thought of competing with previous winners. But then, she opted to do it for the experience. Thereafter she said, “I relaxed and had fun.”

Winner of the maiden edition, Mrs Patience Berepele, came in third with a cash prize of N400,000.

“It was a very keen contest and everybody came prepared this time,” she smiled. While she may have missed out on a trip to Korea, she feels validated to be a part of the top three winners again. “Making it to the first three means something. I am really going to get my food vlog going now.”

Established in August 2024, the Korean Culture Center Nigeria (KCCN) Hansik Food Contest aims to introduce Nigerians to Korean cuisine, which at the time, they’d experienced only in Korean soaps and -movies. The first edition featured an online Preliminary stage, a first, second and final rounds, alongside multiple preparatory classes.

The second edition, which felt rushed, owing to the center’s director Mr Kim Chang-Ki end of tenure in June, featured an offline Preliminary and final rounds, alongside a preparatory class.

It attracted 40 applicants, the highest entries of the contest thus far, and additional support from the Korea Food Promotion Institute (KFPI).

The contest witnessed further advancement. For instance, the jury (chefs) were involved from the prepping to the finishing of the contest. This allowed the judges to view all 12 contestants’ capabilities – those who had difficulty preparing their meals, those that didn’t adhere to the safety rules of cooking while prepping, the plating process among others.

“There was a huge improvement and we hope to see more next year,” said Chef Odo.

Addressing the fate of the contest post his administration, Director Chang-Ki said, “The contest will continue next year. I introduced the Hansik contest because I saw Nigerians loved Korean culture. They already had K-pop contest, but I wanted them to experience and enjoy other aspects of Korean culture.”

For the duration of his two-year tenure, Chang-Ki also made good on his promise to expand the Korean artistes’ talent at the Korea National Day event, which saw last year, in addition to traditional artistes, a popular Korean electronic deejay, and an internationally acclaimed, K-pop Contemporary & classic Band group perform.

Other activities at the event include K-Pop dance performances by the groups ‘Jumparewa’ and ‘Extreem Movement’, and a series of games as – Korean Spicy Ramyeon Competition, Korean Food Concentration Game and a Korean Chopstick game, which saw dozens of the audience win packs of Korean cup noodles and cutleries.