‘I’m sweating … can I get some tissues on stage?’ Behind the scenes at Darwin’s international laksa festival
After secret visits and a live blind tasting, judges unanimously crown Cambodian cafe in light industrial area as home of Darwin’s best laksa The people of Darwin take their laksa seriously. They slurp spicy, coconut-enriched curry soup noodles for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They stalk their favourite stalls and sellers at legendary markets such as Mindil beach, Parap and Rapid Creek. And they…
Darwinians take their laksa seriously, often enjoying it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The city hosts an annual month-long celebration of multiculturalism and the Top End's unofficial official spirit dish, the Darwin International Laksa Festival. Last year, the festival featured 33 venues serving laksa specials, while this year saw 50 different laksas and 175 laksa-inspired creations.
Judges, which included high-profile chefs Luke Nguyen and Junda Khoo, anonymously visited venues to determine the best laksa. Jules Mou, owner of Kopi Stop, won the Golden Bowl award for the first time in the festival's history, followed by Cheata Ouch of Angkor Takeaway and Tully Leitch from Pho Rapid Creek as the top three finishers.
During the cook-off finale, guest judges Luke Nguyen and Junda Khoo struggled with the heat, with Khoo jokingly asking for tissues on stage.
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