In the garden of eating
MANILA, Philippines - To be in a gath-ering where chefs try to outdo each other by coming up with the widest array of the best-looking, most innovative yet appetizing dishes should be any food lover’s idea of heaven. But to merely look — not taste — all the flavorful treats could be torture, like being in the Garden of Eating, the gourmand’s version of the Garden of Eden, where the weak succumb to the temptation of forbidden food. The thought crossed our minds as we spied two young women furtively swiping some frosting from a cake when the marshal wasn’t looking, and then quickly licking their fingers clean.
The activity was the Third National Food Showdown, a culinary competition that brought together 290 delegates from 36 schools and 16 restaurants. The two-day event was the initiative of Food and Foodie magazines and the Lifestyle network, and brought finalists from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to compete in two categories: Classical European and Kulinarya Filipino. The winners were then tagged as “The Ultimate Chef Warriors.” Not surprisingly, A-Venue in Makati City was packed not only with competitors, but also their retinue of enthusiastic supporters.
What is the significance of a competition such as this? Food magazine editor in chief Micky Fenix believes that “The purpose of competitions such as this is for people to know where they stand against their peers.” The wide variety of ingredients from the various areas of the Philippines promotes diversity of regional cuisines. More than winning and setting a benchmark for excellence however, Fenix is convinced that joining competitions provides learning experiences for all.
Sixty-six judges from the various fields of the food industry lent their expertise in choosing the winners, and the presence of high-profile celebrity chefs allowed students to meet their culinary idols. In addition, ABS-CBN television talents were also visible at the event, hobnobbing with the crowd and admiring the displays.
Support from various companies was vital in the success of the event. Brands like American home, Century Tuna, Dona Maria Rice, Ferna, Gomeco, KFC, Italianni’s, Magnolia Chicken Station, McCormick, Minute Maid, Purefoods Corned Beef, SM Retail, Oriental Merchants Borges Oil and Divella Pasta were partners in the successful activity. The excellent turnout was proof that the efforts of the core group behind Food Showdown 2009 were well worth it. Kudos to Myrna Segismundo (overall chair), Glenda Barretto (chair of judging and appeal), Jill Sandique (chair of Chef Wars competitions), Raul Ramos (chair of the Food Showdown Competitions), Marissa Garcia (head of secretariat) and Ruth Padilla (head of physical arrangement).
In the end, however, there had to be winners. The Gold award for the Professional Classical European category went to Carlo Miguel, Alex Sales and Inigo Xavier from Sala Bistro, Luzon while the bronze award was given to Jose Villaluna, Vincent Uy and Troy Cachero from Cindy’s Catering, Visayas; and to Isidro Sobriano, Antonio Echavillo and Alex Gamana from The VIP Hotel, Mindanao.
No gold was given out for the student’s division Classical Kulinarya category. However, Jether Trangia Federico Veloso and Allen Quing from St. Michael College, Mindanao and Beah Tiu, Kimberly Lonco and Maria Clarisa Batilo from St. Anne College Lucena, Inc., Luzon were awarded the silver award. Closely following them were Roberto Batilo III, Roseller Montebon Jr and Francis Deocades from La Consolacion College, Bacolod, Visayas who got the bronze award.
“The Food Showdown is here to stay,” said overall chair Myrna Segismundo. And for all the competitors, it is back to their respective kitchens to train for next year’s success.
