Potatoes on the menu at cooking contest in North Korea
PYONGYANG: Lined up in cavernous rooms at a state restaurant in Pyongyang, North Korean chefs carefully assemble their dishes, watched by crowds of onlookers at a cooking competition in a country that suffers chronic food shortages.From samsaek gaepitok, or three-colour stuffed rice cake – delicately formed green and white parcels of red bean paste – to yak kwa (fried wheat biscuit glazed with honey), or courgette stuffed with meat, attention to detail is key to catching the judges’ eyes.Around 300 cooks are competing in 40 different dishes over three days at North Korea’s national cooking competition, with the winners receiving cookbooks and equipment as well as diplomas and medals.Onlookers – mostly women in warm winter coats – gathered around each station in the unheated venue, some of them filming the contestants at work on their mobile phones for future inspiration.”The reason why Korean food is excellent is that it is characterised by its clear and fresh flavour, without any mixed feelings,” said judge Han Jong Guk, a pastry chef by trade.
“For example, fish dishes taste of real fish and chicken tastes like real chicken. This is the main characteristic of Korean food,” he added.But the reality is that beyond the restaurant’s columns and the privileged lifestyles of the capital’s residents, North Korea is unable to feed itself. (AFP)
Florists find value in banknote Valentine’s bouquets
JAKARTA: Roses are red, money is blue: Prices for money bouquets start at 250,000 rupiah (S$24) excluding the banknotes used.Are you looking for a lavish Valentine’s gift beyond the usual box of chocolates, roses and giant teddy bears? Banknote bouquet, also known as money bouquet, could be the perfect choice for you.A money bouquet comprises banknotes arranged in a way similar to flower bouquets. Instead of the lovely scent of roses, the bouquet offers the smell of freshly printed bills that one can spend on a night out on the town.The ostentatious gift has made its mark in many countries, including in Thailand where 20-year-old student Pilaslak Puenchoke last year surprised her boyfriend with a money bouquet of banknotes totalling 100,000 baht (S$4,330) to mark his birthday and Valentine’s day.The trend is now making the rounds in Indonesia, with many florists adding money bouquets to their product lines. Among them is Ms Silvia, the owner of Instagram-based florist @bloombyvia.Ms Silvia noticed a spike in Instagram followers and overall orders after introducing the money bouquet in late 2018.Her products range from a bouquet comprising small bills to a millions-of-rupiah bouquet made of dozens of 50,000 rupiah or 100,000 rupiah bills.”The customer supplies their own money along with our service charge.” She said. (AFP)