Ken Hom CBE, legendary chef and celebrated TV personality, has hosted an evening dinner and Chinese cuisine masterclass at the Academy Restaurant in Belfast in partnership with Ulster University Culinary Arts Management and International Hospitality Management students.
Over 100 guests including passionate foodies and members of the local hospitality industry attended the Ulster University Culinary Salon on Tuesday evening, which was both a unique dining experience for guests and a memorable learning experience for students, who had the opportunity to cook alongside Ken.
In a set menu designed by Mr Hom, guests enjoyed a roast rack of lamb with Asian-style marinade, chicken & sundried tomato spring rolls and steamed salmon in Chinese cabbage.
“I’m here to tell the students at Ulster University that they shouldn’t do anything they don’t have a passion for,” Ken commented on the evening. “If you want to get into the industry, you have to love it. Today, young people can travel and absorb the atmosphere, food and smells of other countries and come back to places like Belfast to make the food that they have enjoyed elsewhere their own.
"Nothing touches me more than to see a place like Belfast taking off like a rocket. All of you here tonight will benefit from it, people will come to this wonderful city for hospitality, places to stay, and for good food.
"I never dreamt my cooking would make such an impact, but somehow Chinese food has caught the imagination of people in this country. Tonight’s menu is a mixture of east and west, with influence from Chinese techniques and flavours using wonderful Irish produce.”
One of the most respected and celebrated TV chefs of all time, Ken’s is the author of thirty-seven best-selling books which have inspired millions of home cooks around the world; has presented five hugely successful television series; and in the UK alone, he has sold over seven million Ken Hom Woks.
Now residing in France and Thailand, Ken still travels tirelessly worldwide, appearing as a celebrity chef, supporting his chosen charities and promoting the value of education.
The Culinary Salon event, part of a series that enables Ulster University students to work with internationally renowned chefs and food writers, to prepare a dinner, raised money for Ken’s chosen charity Action Against Hunger through raffle prizes donated by the local hospitality industry.
Reflecting the cultural diversity of the modern hospitality scene, recent guests have included award-winning TV chef and broadcaster Andi Oliver, Guardian columnist and author Felicity Cloake and wine, food and travel writer Marc Millon.
Dr Laura Wells, Lecturer, International Hospitality Management at Ulster University said:
“It was an honour to host Ken Hom at Ulster University and introduce him to our talented Culinary Arts Management and International Hospitality Management students. Within the Department for Hospitality Tourism and Events Management, we seek to create immersive learning experiences that truly inspire and enrich our students and fuel their passion for the industry. It was fantastic to hear directly from Ken, a world-renowned chef and TV personality, about his own career path and his distinct philosophy around the role of food as a catalyst for change.”
Professor Ioannis S. Pantelidis, Head of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ulster University said:
“Our Culinary Salons are always such a great learning opportunity for our students and the level of inspiration they get from legendary colleagues such as Ken Hom is priceless as it fuels their imagination as to what they can achieve. Ken puts an authentic touch in everything he does and his sense of humour and passion for food merged with his pioneering approach to merging cuisine techniques and flavours showcases what can be done when you have a clear vision, be it in the kitchen or in management and leadership of hospitality brands.”
The visit by Ken Hom is made possible by the support of the Savoy Educational Trust and delivered in partnership with the Oxford Cultural Collective.
Angela Maher, Chief Executive, Savoy Educational Trust added:
“The Savoy Educational Trust is delighted to continue its support of the Culinary Salons series at Ulster University. This unique programme enables students to interact with, and learn from, some of the best hospitality professionals in the world. It is wonderful to see how well connected the university is to industry and the importance they place on experiential learning within their courses.”