PRESS RELEASE:
The
fourth year and fifth implementation of the AJINOMOTO® Umami Culinary Challenge
welcomes thousands of visitors and 450 student-competitors at the SMX
Convention Center last February 02, 2013. 43 universities and colleges in Metro
Manila and nearby provinces showcased their mastery of achieving umami taste in
their culinary creations to vie for the coveted Umami Bowl Award.
In
each of the five (5) competition categories, HRM and Nutrition students were
given an hour to prepare and cook their dishes. These dishes are then presented
to an esteemed panel of judges, which includes, among others, professional
chefs – Eugene Raymundo, Seiji Kamura, Rosebud Benitez, James Antolin, Sau del
Rosario, food editors - Nana Ozaeta and Dolly Dy and other food experts. Judges
decided based on intensity of umami taste, culinary technique and creativity,
dish preparation and plate presentation.
One
of the major criteria of this competition is Eat Well, Live Well.® Cooking.
This is judged by the UCC Nutrition Panel composed of Dr. Celeste Tanchoco,
President of the Nutritionist-Dietitian Association of the Philippines and Dr.
Josefa Eusebio, President of the Glutamate Association of the Philippines. This
criterion refers to the integration of culinary skills and nutrition knowledge
to create a delicious and nourishing umami dish. Chef Russell Bautista, Project
Head of the event explains, “The AJINOMOTO® Umami Culinary Challenge has always
been about providing opportunities for aspiring chefs to learn how to develop
healthy and tasty dishes. We go beyond satisfying the taste buds. We want all of
our participants to appreciate the importance of improving of the quality of
life of the people that we serve.”
Apart
from the culinary competitions, foodies and other guests enjoy exhibit booths
from sponsors and witness the Caterers’ Forum hosted by Food Caterer’s
Association of the Philippines (FCAP) and AJINOMOTO® CaterServe and a meat
processing seminar facilitated by Mrs. Lourdes Rivera of Ultima Entrepinoy
Center. Ms. Kathryn Bernardo, the new AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning endorser and
one of the hottest stars of the Kapamilya Network also made a special
appearance to congratulate all the participants for a job well done.
The
event finale is the awarding of winners, which names Arellano University – Jose
Abad Santos as the Umami Bowl Champion for garnering the highest average score and
excelling in competition categories including Umami Bento Meal, My Own Umami
Creation and Umami Potter. The UCC 2013 gold medalists, as follows:
Category
|
School
|
Dish Name
|
Students
|
Umami
Bento Meal
|
Colegio
de San Lorenzo
|
Pouched
Salmon with Shoyu Glazed with Rice Pilaf
|
·
Christine Torio
·
Lardette Mohammad
·
Fritz Prudencio
|
Healthy
Asian Umami Dish
|
Central
Luzon College of Science and Technology
|
Grilled
Fish Fillet in Lemon and Chives
|
·
Krisna Mae Portin
·
Ma. Naomi Kimeco Fortunato
·
Vanessa Arimboanga
|
Best
Filipino Umami Dish
|
Delos
Santos STI College
|
Liver
Rice Adobo and Chicken Coconut Pandan with Crunchy Kangkong
|
·
Patricia Anne San Agustin
·
Maricel Refusio
·
Patrick San Agustin
|
My
Own Umami Creation
|
Arellano
University – Jose Abad Santos
|
Gabi
Roll in Bagoong Coconut Sauce
|
·
Anna Andrea Parilla
·
Christopher Rabino
·
Raymart Palacio
|
Umami
Potter
|
Rogationist
College
|
Hot
and Sour Coco Clam Soup with Saluyot, Vermicelli and Shredded Coconut Meat
Served in Fresh Buko Shells
|
·
Maximillian Cosca
·
Joyce Ann Gatpandan
·
Romnick Dela Cruz
|
Overall,
the Umami Bowl Champion brings home a kitchen showcase on top of other
prizes. 15 more schools receive medals,
cash prizes, cooking equipment, gift certificates and culinary books courtesy
of Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation and its sponsors.
Celebrity
Chef Rosebud Benitez observes and rates each teams’ culinary technique and dish
preparation
Towards
the end of the long day, the student-competitors produce the finest spread of
umami-tasting dishes
Ms.
Kathryn Bernardo congratulates all the UCC 2013 participants for a job well
done
Arellano
University – Jose Abad Santos wins the Umami Bowl Award for the Ajinomoto®
Umami Culinary Challenge 2013
The
AJINOMOTO® Umami Culinary Challenge 2013 is presented by Ajinomoto Philippines
Corporation, in partnership with the Food Caterer’s Association of the
Philippines and sponsored by La Germania, Solane, Whirlpool/Fujidenzo,
Sweetlink, Masflex and Anvil Publishing.
