What's the flap?
MANILA, Philippines – Who would not agree that anything wrapped in bacon tastes good?
Judges of the recent “Rate the Plate” recipe competition, launched among different culinary schools by Flapjacks, the popular all-day breakfast restaurant that is “more than just a breakfast place,” certainly heartily agreed.
The “Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Roulade” by Michael Adrian Nogoy, a third-year BSHRM student in Culinary Arts at De La Salle, College of St. Benilde, was chosen as one of the three winning recipes from among participating schools. But more than just the bacon, it must also have been the clever combination of the rolled chicken inasal, stuffed with spinach and served with cheesy mashed potatoes, sliced mangoes and tomatoes that won their nod.
Selected culinary schools in Metro Manila conducted their respective intra-school culinary competitions with the following criteria: taste, ease of preparation, plating, originality and creativity. “Each school then created a dish that highlighted the flavor of a Filipino recipe with an American twist, or a truly American flair using local ingredients,” explains Lisa Ronquillo, marketing director of the Bistro Group.
Another winning dish was the “Tropical Spare Ribs in Peanut Sauce,” a group effort by Resty Palomares, Maria Ana Zenica Cordero, Desireeh Banaynal and Marianne A. Oducado, all freshmen BSHRM students of Universal College in Parañaque City. We are all quite familiar with the use of peanut butter as an ingredient in kare-kare, an all-time Pinoy favorite. This time, homemade peanut butter combined with pineapple juice, sugar, and some spices were used to marinate the ribs overnight. “Braise until you get the desired tenderness and then grill,” Resty explained. “Serve hot, with tropical mango salsa on the side and rice.” Its sheer simplicity and ease of preparation make this dish a sure summer winner.
The third winning dish was “Chicken Burger Ranchero” by Myra Caparros of the First Gourmet Academy. What could be more American than the hamburger? This winning version, however, makes use of spiced minced chicken meat for the patty, served on a toasted bun with all the works: egg salad mayo, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion rings, and cheddar cheese. It also comes with nacho chips and a guacamole dip. “My dish is healthier than the typical burger, yet it’s juicy and flavorful,” Caparros remarked. “Flapjacks guests can have a burger anytime, for breakfast, lunch or snacks.”
The winners received P5,000 in cash, a cellular phone, plus the inclusion of their recipes in the Flapjacks menu for two months. “But the competition does not end here,” Ronquillo adds. “The dish that garners the most number of orders from Flapjacks guests will win the Guest Choice Award. The ultimate champion will receive a laptop as well as a scholarship grant from Bistro Academy.” How often do diners get a chance to let their appreciation of a particular dish be known, simply by ordering it and perhaps coming back for more?
“This will give our culinary students and budding chefs great exposure and experience,” says Bistro Group corporate chef George Lizares. “At the same time, we are able to add something new to our menu with their winning recipes.”
Flapjacks, which is famous for its light and fluffy pancakes and other yummy breakfast fare, also serves super lunches and great dinners any time of the day. Expect them to deliver on their promise, which is simply: “Good food all day.”
The winning recipes will be featured and served in Flapjacks restaurants located in Greenbelt 2, Makati (729-9122); Theatre Mall, Greenhills, San Juan (384-0639); Robinsons Midtown Manila (567-2745); and UP Ayala Technohub Commonwealth, Quezon City (441-1315). Log on to www.flapjacks.com.ph for more information.
