So how did the contest go? The battle for the best potato and dairy dishes was a huge success! (Read more about the Spuds and Dairy Culinary Cup in my earlier post).
You’re probably wondering why I’m so excited about this. It’s simply because I’m a huge fan of cooking competitions and potatoes and dairy are just some of my favorite ingredients. They’re so versatile, don’t you agree? Also, cooking competitions bring out the best in the contestants and highlight their creativity.
The event was hosted by disc jockeyChico Garcia and mommy influencer Michele Aventajado. The ten pairs (a professional chef and a culinary student) drew from five meal categories (Appetizer, Brunch, Main, Dessert and Bar Food). They need to make one potato and one dairy dish.
What made this so challenging was that the chefs were not allowed to touch the ingredients or prepare any of the food! How frustrating is that for a chef, right? They could only guide, give tips and taste the food. The students did all the prepping, mixing, cooking and plating. It was a pressure test because they had only 30 minutes for grocery shopping and a budget of P5,000.
Grace Baban of Global Culinary and Hospitality Academy.
DLSU-Dasmarinas Meriel Salenga.
Christian Cabacungan of Pace Academy.
What made this so challenging was that the chefs were not allowed to touch the ingredients or prepare any of the food! How frustrating is that for a chef, right? They could only guide, give tips and taste the food. The students did all the prepping, mixing, cooking and plating. It was a pressure test because they had only 30 minutes for grocery shopping and a budget of P5,000.
With only 1 hour and 30 minutes to prep, cook
Sweet Ravioli Stuffed with Cheddar and Toma with Shortbread Crumble,
Caramel Sauce, Apple Compote and Fresh Fruits
Potato Tamales
US Dehy Potato Falafel with Mediterranean Rice, Grilled Vegetables
and Tzatziki Sauce
Who were the judges?
- Mr. Ryan Bedford – Agricultural Attaché of USDA
- Mr. Rey Co – President of Hightower, Inc.
- Chef Sau Del Rosario – President of Culinarya Pampanga
- Ms. Nina Daza-Puyat – Lifestyle Columnist of Manila Bulletin, Editor of Appetite Magazine and cookbook author
- Chef Myrna Segismundo – Chairperson of the National Food Showdown
And the winners are:
- Best U.S. Potato Dish:
Chef Victor Barangan and Ria Garcia (student of Enderun Colleges)
- Prize: Php 100,000.00 each
- Category: Breakfast / Brunch
- Name of dish: Potato Royale with Potato Foam, Potato Tuile and Scotch Egg
- Best California Dairy Dish: Chef James Antolin and Erik Roy San Luis (student of Center for Culinary Arts Manila)
- Prize: Immersion Program at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley, California
- Category: Bar Food
- Name of dish: Mozzarella Wrapped Salmon with Smoked Cheese Infused Citrus Sauce, Grilled Vegetable Salad, Ricotta-Almond Crumbs
and Potato Tuille
The winning dishes may look simple at first glance, but the descriptions tell you the complicated techniques applied to prepare the recipes. The Best US Potato Dish is something I would love to have for breakfast, even though I don’t even know how to prepare any one of the elements on that dish!The Best California Dairy Dish looks so fancy and I love salmon a lot. These are certainly restaurant-quality dishes and I couldn’t wait to get the recipe.
All this talk about food made me want to prepare an original recipe. Watch out for it in my next blog, but here’s a sneak preview:
You’re welcome 😊
Visit the Potatoes USA Philippines or the Real California Milk Philippines Facebook pages for to learn more about U.S. potatoes and California dairy.
Follow Real California Milk Philippines on Instagram @realcalifornIamilkphl
#spudsanddairyculinarycup2019 #potatoesusa #realcaliforniamilk
I am getting hungry with those pictures. Looks like a great event! Congrats to the winners and thanks for sharing! – from a foodie lol
What a cool place. It looks like this was a really fun time.
I wish I could attend. The dishes turned out beautiful. I’d like a taste test 🙂
wow everything looks so good, sounds like a wonderful event.
Wow! All the dishes they made look amazing. I’ve been looking for a new salmon recipe. I will be trying to replicate that winning dish soon.
What a delicious contest! I would love to be a judge there lol but the dishes look so yummy it would be hard to choose!
Wow! Potato is a childhood favourite! I am planning to make these Salted Caramel Spuds! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Everything looks so awesome!
I am always amazed at people who can cook under time pressure like this – and to make creations at this level of beauty! Awesome!
Wow the food looks amazing. I once got invited to judge a cooking competition and i loved it! Im sure everyone had a blast and congrats to all the winners.
What a great way to learn and even to taste the food creations! I love such events a lot!
All of those dishes look absolutely delicious! Sounds like it was a fun and exciting event. Congratulations to the winners too.
Looks like a huge event. Congratulations to the winners! They must have delicious dishes here. Thanks for sharing.
Lots of food. Perfect place. I love food. contests, you get to know so many recipes and talented chefs. I have never witnessed a live event but in TV ofcourse. The garnishing is so good, amazing.
Damn these dishes looks so tasty! Wish I could have been a judge on this competition as I love potatoes.
I am feeling hungry now> I would love to attend such competition and taste all bcoz I am too bif fan of cooking competitions
What a great challenge! It looks delicious.
The food looks absolutely delicious! I know this had to have been a tasty and amazing event to watch.
Everything looks (and sounds) amazing! Seriously right up my alley.
I have not heard of this competitions before but it looks like a lot of fun and some of the dishes look amazing.
Congratulations to the winners, and the chefs who gave input. All the dishes look so delicious and well plated.
This looks very delish! The presentation makes it a bit more delicious! They worth the win! Congratulations
I too love to watch cooking competitions. I am amazed of their talents and creativity with food. Their creations are elegant and delectable.