Surabaya – The 18th Anniversary celebration of the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine (FPK) Universitas Airlangga offered more than competitions and entrepreneurship activities by providing an educational cooking demonstration featuring MasterChef Indonesia Season 4 contestant and FPK Universitas Airlangga alumna, Amalia “Amel” Hapsari. As one of the highlights of the anniversary celebration, the cooking session attracted hundreds of visitors, particularly homemakers eager to learn practical techniques for selecting and preparing fresh fish to maximize its flavor and nutritional value.
The demonstration reflected FPK Universitas Airlangga’s commitment to bringing fisheries knowledge closer to the community through practical and accessible educational activities. Participants gained valuable insights into fish preparation while learning the importance of consuming safe, nutritious, and high-quality seafood.
Promoting Nutritious Fish Consumption Through Culinary Education
During the live cooking demonstration, Amel showcased the proper technique for grilling Nile tilapia to achieve evenly cooked, flavorful fish without overcooking the exterior or leaving the inside undercooked. She explained that controlling cooking temperature and timing is essential for preserving the fish’s natural taste and texture.
Beyond cooking techniques, Amel also educated participants on how to identify fresh, high-quality fish before purchase. She emphasized several key indicators of freshness, including clear eyes, bright red gills, firm flesh, and a clean, natural aroma. Understanding these simple characteristics helps consumers choose seafood that is safe, nutritious, and suitable for family meals.
Participants also learned proper fish storage methods to maintain freshness before cooking. These practical tips can help households preserve product quality, reduce food waste, and ensure better nutritional value.
Interactive Cooking Session Engages the Community
The cooking demonstration created an interactive learning environment where visitors actively participated by asking questions about seafood preparation and home cooking techniques. Homemakers, in particular, enthusiastically used the opportunity to gain practical knowledge that could be applied to preparing healthy family meals.
Amel’s presence as both an FPK Universitas Airlangga alumna and a former MasterChef Indonesia contestant added a special appeal to the event. Her culinary expertise enabled her to present fisheries processing knowledge in a practical, engaging, and easy-to-understand manner for audiences from diverse backgrounds.
Through activities like this, FPK Universitas Airlangga demonstrates that fisheries science extends beyond laboratories and classrooms into everyday life through meaningful community education. The cooking demonstration served as an effective platform for improving public awareness of safe fish handling, healthy food preparation, and the nutritional benefits of fish consumption.
Strengthening Public Nutrition Through Fisheries Education
The cooking demonstration supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting healthier dietary practices through nutrition education. Encouraging fish consumption as a high-quality protein source also contributes to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), while introducing proper fish processing techniques supports the sustainable utilization of fisheries resources in line with SDG 14 (Life Below Water).
Moreover, involving distinguished alumni as guest speakers reflects SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions and the broader community in disseminating valuable knowledge and practical skills.
As part of the 18th Anniversary celebration, the cooking demonstration highlighted FPK Universitas Airlangga’s commitment to organizing programs that extend beyond ceremonial events by delivering meaningful educational experiences, promoting innovation, and encouraging a stronger culture of fish consumption throughout Indonesia.
Writer : Farrel Bhanu Mahardhika
Editor : TPA
