Fifteen outstanding teams of chefs will head to Binh Duong province's Minh Sang Plaza to compete in the final round of the Chiec thia vang (Golden Spoon) contest on January 16.

Contestants will create a set menu with a starter, two main courses and a dessert using ingredients they are given.

The winner will have an opportunity to win 1 billion VND (47,370 USD) in cash and a trophy as well as become the face for a series of activities to promote the country's culinary tourism along with the Ly's Horeca brand of the porcelain maker Minh Long.

Chosen from a total of 140 teams of chefs working in restaurants around Vietnam, the finalists with three members each are from Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Phu Yen, Kon Tum, Dong Nai, Vung Tau, HCM City, Can Tho, Dong Thap, and Kien Giang.

The competition, the first of its kind in the country, aims to honour professional chefs who have conducted research about nutrition and introduced Vietnamese specialties and healthy dishes to tourists, said Ly Huy Sang, Deputy General director of Minh Long I Company.

It is jointly organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, the Business Studies and Assistance Centre and Binh Duong-based Minh Long I Company.-VNA