Also known as parboiled rice, it is rice that has been partially cooked, then dehydrated. It takes less time to cook and separates easily after cooking. If you absolutely have to serve rice in thirteen minutes and have boiling water, you are in business.
Use the sous vide and cook in them. No scent. I’ve been told that sous vide sticks have multiple uses on farms including controlled warming of reproductive cells, if I read correctly. Ya know, in case you need an extra reason or so.
I’d bet money that carving was done by Ray Villafane.