The Les Toques Blanches Philippines Culinary Team rounded up ITS bid at the Food and Hotel Asia Culinary Challenge 2008 with no less than 13 medals in 14 competitions. The Philippine flag flew proud, and not a few heads turned toward our KITCHEN WIZARDS in high regard—the kind that chefs bestow to one another.

Our Filipino chefs, headed by team captain Ariel Manuel of Lolo Dad’s Café, made the country proud once more by garnering 13 medals from the Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) Culinary Challenge 2008 held at the Singapore Expo from April 22 to 25. The FHA Culinary Challenge is one of the region’s most respected culinary competitions, held biannually and drawing competitors not only from Asia but also from the US, Europe and Australia.

The team earned 13 medals in 14 competitions (one gold, six silvers, six bronzes). Members of the contingent were Virgilio Timola and Anatolio Bleza of Makati Shangri-La Hotel; Arnold Guevarra of Mandarin Oriental Hotel; Amador Mendoza of Manila Pavilion Hotel; and Reno de la Victoria of Waterfront Hotel Cebu.

Also in the team were apprentices Marge Villena of Lolo Dad’s Café; Andy Tabotabo of CCA Manila; and  Janet Lazaga and Ryan Otmana of Malacañang Palace. Managing them was J Gamboa of Cirkulo and Milky Way Restaurants, with Fernando Aracama of Embassy Cuisine and PR and events consultant Nana Nadal.

Herewith, the big win in detail:

Ariel Manuel, Team Captain

Lolo Dad’s Café
Plated Appetizer - Bronze Medal
Plated Dish - Silver Medal

Live Cooking—New Asia Cuisine - Silver Medal

 

Marge Villena, Apprentice, Lolo Dad’s Café
Andy Tabotabo, Apprentice, CCA Manila       
Team Live Cooking—Two To Tango - Bronze Medal

 

Arnold Guevara, Sous Chef

Tivoli Grill, Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Live Cooking—Neptune’s Catch - Gold Medal 

(see recipe and photo of dish in this feature)

Plated Dish - Silver Medal                

Plated Appetizer - Bronze Medal
Boy Timola, Sous Chef

Makati Shangri-La Hotel

Plated Appetizer - Silver Medal
Plated Dish - Silver Medal
Live Cooking—Field&Forest - Bronze Medal

Tony Bleza, Demi-Chef

Makati Shangri-La Hotel   
Ethnic Asian Display - Bronze Medal
Live Cooking—Asian Family Meal - Silver Medal
Ador Mendoza, Assistant Pastry Chef

Manila Pavilion Hotel
Pastry Showpiece - Bronze Medal

The team also participated in the Valhrona Asian Pastry Cup, represented by James Antolin of CCA Manila, Buddy Trinidad of Park Avenue Desserts, and Pauline Diaz-Lagdameo of International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management.

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Drinking in Europe

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Cooks: Making Great in Asia

Our Filipino chefs, headed by team captain Ariel Manuel of Lolo Dad’s Café, made the country proud once more by garnering 13 medals from the Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) Culinary Challenge 2008 held at the Singapore Expo from April 22 to 25. The FHA Culinary Challenge is one of the region’s most respected culinary competitions, held biannually and drawing competitors not only from Asia but also from the US, Europe and Australia.

Lola Maria’s home cooking lives on

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Something Like Life: Ernest Escaler’s payback

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