Benguet’s giant carrot cake to feed 5,000 people

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet — Benguet officials hope to feed 5,000 people when they whip up a giant carrot cake as one of the highlights of the province’s 101st Foundation Day on Nov. 23.

Ma. Mignon de Leon, president of the Benguet Tourism Council, said they expect the cake — measuring four feet by 12 feet by six inches — will feed the same number of people who partook of Baguio City’s huge tossed salad last September.

She said at least 300 kilos of carrots and 825 eggs will be used in the giant cake. Baking will be done in portions after which Baguio Country Club chef Art Quiambao will put the finishing touches on the whole cake.

People who want to partake of the cake, to be displayed at the provincial capitol’s Session Hall, have to pay P20 each.

De Leon said the feat is aimed at promoting tourism and the vegetable industry of Benguet which is dubbed as the "Salad Bowl of the Philippines." At least 15 tons of vegetables are transported from vast vegetable farms in northern towns to the lowlands everyday.

Aside from the giant carrot cake, a fun game called "Vegetable Run" will take place at the capitol grounds. Contestants will outdo each other in putting the most number of vegetables such as carrots, lettuces, zucchinis, wombok (Chinese cabbages) and broccoli, in their baskets.