Kitchen Masters:Battle of Chefs and Apprentices

I’m sure most of us have witnessed a lot of cooking competitions. There is one about to happen featuring noted Laguna chefs and Culinary Arts students of Malayan Colleges Laguna. These chefs and apprentices will battle it out in the Kitchen Masters competition, showcasing Laguna products as the main ingredient. Kitchen Masters is expected to be a battle of culinary skills and strategies.

Kitchen Masters Launch

The Kitchen Masters Press Conference was held last April 11 at the SM City Sta. Rosa Activity Grounds. In the competition, each team will be composed of one featured chef and five apprentices. The students had to draw lots to determine which team they will join. They will be given the challenge to prepare and cook three dishes using one Laguna produce as the main ingredient.

1. appetizer, entree or main course using duck (itik)
2. pasta using kesong puti
3. salad using fiddlehead fern or paco leaves

Team Chef Karen Nina Villaflor

Chef Karen is currently a Sous Chef at Buttero, an Italian bistro at Taguig City. She has served for three years at Universal Harvester Inc. as a project-based Chef Consultant in charge of renovation and lay-outing. She finished Culinary Arts and Baking at Global City Innovative College.

Team Chef Cherriza Canlas Filamor

Chef Cherriza is the Proprietor of Eat Creative Catering Service. She supervises and motivates artists, dining and kitchen staff to provide organized service to customers. She earned her Grand Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts and Baking Pastry Arts at Global Culinary and Hospitality Academy.

Team Chef Emmanuel Recio

Chef Emmanuel is the owner of Le Chef Emmanuel French and Italian Cuisine located at Sta. Cruz, Laguna. He worked at Madeleine French Bakery and Brasserie in Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is a BS Hotel and Restaurant Management graduate and holds a certificate for NC-II Culinary Arts Major in Bread and Pastry.

Team Chef Von Byron Ebron

Chef Von is the Head Chef and Operations Manager of Bonitos Bar and Restaurant. He is also the Head Chef of Amorita Buffet Restaurant and Events Place. He also serves as the Corporate Secretary of the Red Brick House.

Team Chef Roel Rodrigo

Chef Roel is currently an Assistant Professor at Malayan Colleges Laguna. He handles professional subjects on Business Research, Banquet and Catering operations, and Food and Beverage Control System ,among others. He graduated Cum Laude in Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the University of Sto. Tomas.

My Say

I find this event and competition very relevant in the goal to discovering the real Flavors of the Philippines, which incidentally is also the name of a month-long gastronomic event launched by the Department of Tourism. It aims to showcase the best of Filipino dishes through various activities such as the Kitchen Masters. When asked about their personal reasons for participating in the event, the five chefs unanimously said that it was their way of doing their part in promoting and proving that Philippine cuisine is indeed world-class.

The winning team is to be announced on April 17. Good luck to all teams!