Enter The Dragan (special interview with Chef Dragan Unic of WACS)

In an industry where constant development is imminent, the only consistent thing that we must do is to advance and improve. Cambodia Chefs' Association (C.C.A.) has done it again folks! They have successfully installed their 3rd Culinary Workshop in partnership with the World Association of Chefs' Societies, also known as WACS.

It may be a simple training workshop for others, but for us in the hospitality business, it is big and considered not only useful but also valuable.

It's already been 3 years since C.C.A. has started to invite Top-caliber WACS Chefs to conduct training. First, it was with Chef Rick Stephen, then followed by Chef Willment Leong, and now Chef Dragan Unic which all three have shared one thing in common - agreed to visit Siem Reap just to conduct pieces of training to help the Cambodian Chefs of CCA to grow and further develop.

Chef Dragan, being a veteran in the field of Culinary and Hospitality, is also the present WACS Board of Director and WACS Continental Director Northern Europe. Now that he has been assigned to ASIA (Singapore), Chef Dragan has more than enough reasons to visit Siem Reap in the near future. On his first time in the Kingdom of Wonder, he and his family didn’t miss the opportunity of sighting the City of Angkor. They feast as well on tasting a wide array of Cambodian Dishes, prepared and recommended by CCA Chefs.

For Chef Dragan, visiting the ruins of Angkor is definitely a treat for him and his family, but to share his knowledge with the Chefs of C.C.A. is something beyond special.

Preparation for Competition with World Chef in the Heart of Angkor is the title of his workshop and was attended by nearly 200 Chefs at Angkor Palace Resort & Spa, Siem Reap, Cambodia. As a guest speaker, he emphasizes on having the correct mindset to qualify and win any Culinary Competitions, whether International or Domestic. He also stressed the importance of having Basic Cooking Skills, and by touching up his training with more on tips and advice with regards to the common issues or mistakes Chefs needs to avoid in any culinary competition.

Being a non-profit organization, the FREE workshop organized by C.C.A. for all its members, is an act of commitment to their sworn pledge at the time of incorporation. We truly appreciate the generosity, starting from its Founding Fathers, until to its present officers.

If you wish to receive CCA's upcoming future training workshops or, interested to become a sponsor on CCA's future events and gatherings, please contact President Chef Long Bora or Vice President Chef Ving San at the CCA Secretariat Office.

Workshop Title

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Preparation for Competition with World Chef in the Heart of Angkor

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Guest Speaker

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Chef Dragan Unic

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World Chefs Board of Director and Continental Director Europe

Board Member of Swedish National Culinary Association and Teams

Follow Chef Dragan @

Facebook: draganunic

Instagram: dragan.unictaste

Website: www.unictaste.se

With more than 4 decades of Culinary and Hospitality experience on his belt, Chef Dragan would like to emphasizes that winning is everything, but in order to achieve such status (whether you’re in a single or team competition), culinary training and preparation is vital to success.

Strong Foundation, topped with correct Skills and Effort separates a novice Chef from a Professional one. In this article, we are sharing the key-important points of Chef Dragan’s training to the Chefs of CCA or Cambodia Chefs’ Association.

If you wish to get a copy of Chef Dragan’s Training slides, please get in touch with CCA Secretariat Office.

10 Things that Require Zero Talent

For Chef Dragan, these 10 characteristics have helped him to become not only as a better Chef but also as a Better Person. It gives you the needed depth to interact and communicate effectively.

1) Always on Time

Respect the Time and in Time, you will earn more than respect.

2) Attitude

Very important, especially if you want to excel in your career

3) Passion

You must love what you're doing. It doesn't matter if its cooking or others

4) Work Ethic

Being a professional requires work ethic. Separate personal and work.

5) Effort

If you really want to improve, then train yourself - a lot!!

6) Body Language

Remember, Action Speaks Louder Than Words!

7) Energy

This is your fuel for success! Rest after work is highly recommended!!

8) Being Coachable

- This means you have an open mind.

- You are willing to listen and value other's peoples' comments

9) Being Prepared

Means you value the chance of making a mistake/s! (Avoid if you can)

10) Be Happy

Very Important.

Chef Dragan together with Chan Sophea (one of the CCA Founders) as the official translator

BASIC COOKING SKILLS

Even though not all chefs may have a chance to join a cooking competition, but still, Chefs needs to be prepared as you may not know whose guest you will be cooking for tomorrow.

Chef Dragan's Input on Basic Cookings Skills:

Very important and at the same time not simple
Understanding the Importance of Basic Cooking Skills will lead you to Consistency
Without Basic Cooking Skills, you can Never Advance in Your Career as a Chef
The Foundation of Basic Cooking Skills Matters in any Cooking Competition
It is this Basic Cooking Skills are what Judges are looking for any Chef during the Competition.

Additional Remarks from Chef Dragan: In a cooking competition, the Judges may give you enough time to prepare your kitchen. You have to remind yourself, that judges are checking on how organized you are as a Chef.

11 STEPS TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE IN THE KITCHEN

Being excellent and consistent requires a lot of work and effort.

For Chef Dragan, these 11 Steps will improve any Chefs cooking skills. Also, mastering these steps will provide an extra advantage to combat the pressure during Cooking Competition.

Chef Dragan's Input on How to Achieve these 11 Steps:

You need to Start by having or using Excellent Quality Raw Materials
You need to Respect for the Ingredients "mind when cutting the ingredients to avoid too much food waste"
You need to have a Good Knife Skills – Keep your knife sharp. Train yourself on the cutting
You Need to know the Foundation of Basic Cooking
You need to understand Flavors Profiling
You need to Focus on Consistency
You need to finish your cooking with flavor adjustment
You need to improve your food presentation
You need to understand Hot Food Hot and Cold Food Cold - proper plating
You need to Sign the Plate – means it passes your quality control
You need to Communicate the Effort - Share the info with your colleagues by use of Mood Boards

WHO IS YOUR BEST FRIEND?

Note: Chef Dragan wishes to address this with importance.

It is common to know that a Chef's Best Friend has always been the Knife.

It may be true, but for Chef Dragan, his best friend is not the Knife but it is Mr. Thermometer!

Chef Dragan's Input on Thermometer:

by having a Thermometer in your pocket will make you 10 times as a better Chef
Cooking is a Science. Timing and Precision are Important
You need to have a control over all of your dishes
In the cooking competition, details like food, plate temperature matters
If you would like to work with Westerners Chef, then train yourself on how to use a Thermometer

HACCP or Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points

HACCP is a preventative measure of the food safety system in which every step in the manufacture, storage, and distribution of a food product is scientifically analyzed for microbiological, physical and chemical hazards.

Chef Dragan's Input on HACCP:

In the cooking competition, applying HACCP in your cooking skills will earn you big points. While HACCP is a Law in European countries, in Asia is now starting to be administered
The team has to show a checklist of temperatures with all the food products before placing them in a chilled transport box
The team has to check the temperature of all products as soon as they arrived at the venue and before placing them in the fridge of your assigned section inside the competition kitchen
Proper Labeling is very important
The Checklist must be prepared at all times. As you need to present this to the Judges during the competition

SINGLE AND TEAMS COOKING COMPETITION

Chef Dragan's advice for anyone who would like to join in any cooking competition as follows:

If you're interested in joining a cooking competition, then train yourself for at least 10,000 hrs
You need to have a clear vision and an idea
Be familiar with the rules. Start with Local competitions to excel
Communicate as You need the CCA support
Apply and Qualify

Thank you Very Much for Reading! We hope that you have learned a lot from this article. Please do not hesitate to share this blog in order to spread the knowledge gained from Chef Dragan Unic.

TLC MAG ASIA would like to thank the following CCA officers for inviting us to cover this event. Without your help, this Interview will not be possible.

1. Chef Long Bora (President of Cambodia Chefs' Association)

2. Chef Ving San (Vice-President of Cambodia Chefs' Association)

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