Cooking it up: Chef Gary Rhodes introduces cooking techniques in front of a crowd at Hà Nội’s AEON Mall on Sunday. -- Photo courtesy of GREATBritaininVietnam Facebook

HÀ NỘI – One of the UK’s most celebrated Michelin star chefs, Gary Rhodes, is in Việt Nam to present UK cooking techniques and delicious dishes during a food week in Hà Nội and HCM City.

Arriving Việt Nam as a UK culinary ambassador, the Michelin star chef will demonstrate cooking techniques and flavours to introduce innovative cuisine from the UK.

His visit is part of the “GREAT Food & Drink” campaign launched by the UK Embassy in Hà Nội and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). It aims to show businesses and consumers the quality, heritage and creativity that make British food some of the best in the world.

While the UK is well-known as a leading financial service provider, it is not widely known for its food in Việt Nam.

British food includes the well-known favourite of Scotch whisky and salmon, as well as an array of cheeses, yoghurts, fresh fruits, vegetables, cakes and biscuits.

Exotic products also have been produced in Britain as a result of modern farming techniques and scientific research. The British now grow chillies in Devon, wasabi in Dorset and sweet potatoes in Kent. And the company Cornerways from Norfolk produces tomatoes virtually year-round using the heat created from a sugar factory.

UK Culinary Ambassador Rhodes on Sunday appeared on TV show Happy Lunch on VTV6, before presenting in front of a crowd at the Hà Nội’s AEON Mall for a cooking demonstration where participants had a chance to sample British products.

As part of the “GREAT Food & Drink” campaign, the Hotel Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hosted the Great British Bake Off in Việt Nam yesterday.

Today at the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, chef Rhodes will showcase Scottish whisky.

The highlight of the week will be on Thursday in HCM City, where guests will be treated to a dinner cooked by the Rhodes and Masterchef Vietnam judge, chef and restaurateur, Phạm Tuấn Hải.

Some of the guests are the competition winners from an online cooking competition run through the campaign’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/GREATBritaininVietnam, which has attracted over 40,000 followers.

Business focused events include a Food Safety event with VCCI in Hà Nội yesterday and a branding event in HCM City on Friday. -- VNS