Kandangan, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - Mawaddah Warahmah, a student at the Kandangan State Special Needs School (SLBN) in Hulu Sungai Selatan (HSS) District, South Kalimantan, won silver at the international culinary contest, The 14th Salon Culinaire 2025.
She competed in fondant cake figure, part of pastry that emphisized artistry and technique of cake decorating, and she earned a score of 88, just two points shy of the gold medal winner.
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"Alhamdulillah, this is an extraordinary achievement considering the competition was not only for participants with special needs, but was open to the public from all over Indonesia and various countries," said her mentor teacher Fitria Nuraini Herawati in a written statement from the HSS Communication and Informatics Office (Diskominfo) in Kandangan, Friday.
Mawaddah's achievement was proof that with passion, talent, and hard work, limitations are not barrier to competing on par with, and even outperforming other contestants.
Like fondant decorations that Mawaddah patiently and in detail created through perseverance and solid support from her family, school, and other related parties.
"This success is not only a source of pride for SLBN Kandangan, but also adds to the list of achievements that make our community in HSS proud," she said.
Fitria hopes that Mawaddah's achievement will inspire younger generation to develop their potential and confidence to achieve their dreams at the national and international levels.
Salon Culinaire, which was held at the Jakarta International Expo, Kemayoran, Jakarta, on July 22–25, 2025, was prestigious competition held in collaboration between Association of Culinary Professionals Indonesia, World Association of Chefs Societies, and Indonesia Pastry & Bakery Society.
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