K-Chef Talent Development Programme

A collaboration between Hanwha Group (South Korea), Reliance College & Falcon TVET

By Joash Pandita

Nurturing Tomorrow’s Culinary Leaders

The Hanwha Group from South Korea has launched the K-Chef Talent Development Programme, an initiative designed to discover and cultivate promising culinary talents from around the world. Created for Hanwha Group’s Hotels & Resorts, the programme began with an induction training held on June 25th and 26th at the Reliance College Industrial Training Kitchen.

The training was led by Mr. Jaihyun Choi, General Manager of the F&B Division at Hanwha Hotels & Resorts. Over two days, participants underwent basic skills assessments and cultural orientation, marking the first of three phases aimed at building strong foundations for their culinary journey.

Five outstanding students were chosen to take part in this exclusive programme, embarking on an exciting path toward becoming world-class chefs.

The Training Overview

The first day concentrated on introductions, essential skills, and cultural adaptation, with modules including:

Programme Introduction
Knife Skills Assessment
Ingredient Recognition
Simple Cooking Exercise
Cultural and Team Orientation
Basic Language Skills Assessment

On the second day, participants advanced into more complex training and teamwork, covering:

Advanced Cooking Test
Problem-Solving Scenarios
Menu Development Task
Feedback and Evaluation

The Culinary Showcase

To highlight the students’ talents, Heads of Departments and staff from the BAC Education Group were invited to a tasting session. The menu reflected both skill and creativity, featuring:

Sushi rice
Radish and Chinese cabbage kimchi
Miso soup
Beef bulgogi
Hot and spicy tteokbokki
Japchae (stir-fried glass noodles)
Yachaejeon (Korean vegetable pancakes)
Sigeumchi namul (blanched, seasoned spinach)

Voices from the Tasting

The dishes earned glowing feedback from staff and guests alike:

“The beef was tender and flavorful. The kimchi had a nice spicy kick, though the vegetables could be cut smaller. The tteokbokki sauce was delicious, and the pancakes had a lovely texture—I just prefer them a bit crispier.”
Sapna Kaur, Head of Postgraduate Studies (Law)

“The food was wonderful and very healthy. I especially enjoyed the glass noodles, pancakes, mojito, tteokbokki, and kimchi. The beef bulgogi was excellent, and the vegetable side dishes were fresh and tasty. It was such a great experience!”
Team of Counsellors

Looking Ahead with Esteemed Partnerships

This collaboration between the K-Chef Talent Development Programme, Reliance College, and Falcon TVET represents another milestone toward a shared vision of excellence.

During his visit, Mr. Jaihyun Choi praised the facilities and services at Reliance College, expressing strong support for its potential appointment as the Malaysian Chapter of KFPI—a significant achievement for the institution.

With the programme underway, the culinary industry can anticipate the emergence of new, highly skilled chefs trained under Hanwha Group’s renowned Hotels & Resorts.

Special appreciation goes to Mr. Jaihyun Choi, who not only serves as lead trainer but also spearheads talent recruitment. The initiative is also supported by the Korean Food Promotion Institute (KFPI)—a non-profit organisation established in 2010 that sponsors Korean chefs to share their expertise through international culinary training.