Sun Wukong, the Monkey King known for his 72 transformations, has now taken the form of a chocolate sculpture standing on a cloud, making waves internationally! Under the guidance of Dr. Chien-Sheng Lee from the Department of Culinary Arts and Gastronomy in the College of Tourism and Hospitality, junior student Ming-Lun Wu created the chocolate art piece titled The Great Sage of Cocoa, Sun Wukong. Inspired by ancient mythology, this piece stood out among over 2,000 participants from 32 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Wu won the bronze medal in the “Chocolate Works” category at the 2024 Battle of the Chefs (BOTC) international culinary competition held in Malaysia. This achievement continues ISU’s chocolate legacy, following their bronze medal win at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany earlier this year.
This year’s 2024 Battle of the Chefs (BOTC) in Penang, Malaysia, is a biennial international culinary competition recognized as a prestigious B-grade event by the World Chef Association (WACS). The team from ISU, consisting of faculty members and students, used the legendary figure Sun Wukong from the Chinese mythological classic Journey to the West as their main character. They masterfully applied chocolate craftsmanship to vividly depict Sun Wukong. The lifelike sculpture featured Sun Wukong holding his golden cudgel and standing on a cloud, astonishing the audience. The golden cudgel symbolizes the defense of law, while the specially designed fireball beneath his feet represents the passionate pursuit of justice. Despite the challenges posed by Malaysia’s tropical climate, the ISU team successfully completed this magnificent piece, standing 140 cm tall and weighing 30 kg.
Wu stated that the chocolate he used is derived from the cocoa fruit, a versatile substance that can be made into various products such as cosmetics, chocolate, soap, capsules, and more, much like the 72 transformations of the Monkey King. Wu further shared that due to the height of the piece, he had to sculpt from a certain elevation, which was quite different from the usual tabletop chocolate work, making the win particularly gratifying. Having been passionate about chocolate since childhood, Wu, along with Dr. Li and other students, won a bronze medal in the chocolate artistry category at the IKA Culinary Olympics in Germany earlier this year. After several months, he once again transformed his extensive knowledge into a creation that garnered global attention, showcasing his exceptional culinary skills.
Dr. Lee indicated that participating in international competitions allows students to accumulate valuable experience, enhance their skills, and broaden their horizons. By engaging with the global stage, students are inspired to pursue excellence and become industry elites. As an affiliate with E United Group, ISU leverages this advantage to provide students with professional knowledge and industry support. ISU offers comprehensive educational and research resources, breaking down barriers between academia and industry, from the beginning of their university journey to their entry into the workforce after graduation. This all-encompassing approach aims to nurture every rising star in the culinary industry.
