‘It’s more cupcakes in the Philippines’

Culinary competitions are a great way to take learning to a whole new perspective. They play a vital role as they raise the standards of culinary excellence. These competitions enable the participants to hone their craft by putting their skills and knowledge to test in a competitive format.

 The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio, (HRAB) headed by its hardworking and driven president Anthony de Leon, recently hosted the 12th annual Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Weekend at CAP-John Hay Trade and Cultural Center and the Manor at Camp John Hay with the theme “B2B Back to Basics.”  This yearly competition of professionals and students organized by the HRAB is geared towards improving their skills and preparing them to be the best in this globally competitive industry. It also aims to encourage entrepreneurship, innovativeness and specialization in the hospitality services by networking with practitioners.

Through the years the hotel and restaurant tourism weekend has always come up with unique centerpieces that highlight the opening ceremony. They had the longest Raisin Bread, Largest Wedding Cake, Longest Longganisa, Pasta Festival, Largest Pizza and last year’s Rise and Shine, which featured different varieties of fried rice.

This time around, the well-attended event presented 15,000 cupcakes in the form of the Philippine map. Dubbed “It’s More Cupcakes in the Philippines,” it’s a play on the tourism tagline “It’s More Fun in the Philippines.”

The three-day culinary event offered competitions like coffee  concoction, mocktail mixing, dessert flambé, bar chow with cocktail pairing, amuse bouche, napkin folding, creative cake decorating,  fruit and vegetable carving, French pastries, savory pancakes,  flairtending, table setting, floral design centerpiece and hospitality entrepreneurship.

Seminars were also conducted on various relevant  topics such as Health and Safety in the Hospitality Industry, Customer Service, Decorating with Nature, Banquet Catering and Service, the Art of Hosting, Housekeeping and Basic Wine Service.

 The roster of judges included well-respected individuals with impressive credentials from the hotel, restaurant and hospitality industry. They were Myrna Segismundo, overall chair, the National Food Showdown; Richard Cariño,  Freddie Alquiros, owner of Gilligan’s Island Restaurant, Joe Baguio City Councilor Meneses, president and CEO of Tatania Wine Cellar; Martin Kaspar, chef Patron, L’ Entrecote Restaurant; Robby Goco, executive chef of CYMA Greek Taverna; Raul Ramos, AVP/head ofoOperations Restaurant 9501, ABS-CBN corp.; Dorothy Ferreria, consultant, Nestle Professional; Mario Benitez, John Hay Coffee Services and myself.

 Adding glamour and excitement  to the event was the much-awaited beauty and brains pageant, which had 14 lovely ladies and 12 debonair and high-spirited gentlemen, all hospitality and tourism students representing their respective schools, vying for the titles of Mr. and Ms. HRAB 2015. The winners were Arianne Ria Gallotan of the University of the Cordilleras and Aaron Reyes of the University of Baguio.

 HRAB has successfully elevated  the industry standards through healthy competitions consequently  ensuring its competitiveness in the global market.The officers include Moises Cating, chairman for life; Jefferson Ng, VP  for Hotels; Freddie Alquiros, VP for Restaurants; Leonarda Aguinalde, VP for Schools; Catherine de la Rosa, VP for Travel and Tours; Bernadette San Pedro, secretary; Ramon Cabrera, treasurer and  Andrew Pinero, media officer.