The international cooking contest is part of Bocuse d'Or, the most highly regarded culinary competition in the world.

"This is the second time Viet Nam has joined the Bocuse d'Or and being part of this world famous cooking competition is a great way to present Viet Nam's cuisine and culture”, said Philippe Bacac, managing director of Metro Cash & Carry Vietnam, the main sponsor of the competition.

"We understand the needs of professional chefs and are supporting the national team on their way to the upcoming cooking competition in the region," he said. "We believe our mission is to help young, innovative chefs in this country to successfully represent Vietnam's cuisine on an international stage."

The Bocuse d'Or team from Vietnam includes instructor Michael Bao Huynh; president of Bocuse d'Or Vietnam chef David Thai; chef Nguyen Le Hoang Phat; and his assistant Nguyen Huynh Thanh Long.

The contest in Shanghai will select the five most talented chefs who will then attend the final held in Lyon, France, next year.

Since 1987, the contest has been giving young chefs a unique opportunity to demonstrate their skills, offering them a tremendous springboard for their careers.