DAVAO CITY – The Mindanao Culinary Festival (MCF) will be restaged this June 25-27 at the SM Lanang Premier to recognize the need to develop the talents and skills of students and professionals in the culinary industry.
The event, which will be held simultaneously with the World Food Expo (WOFEX), aims to provide a venue for friendly competition and learning opportunities for those who want to excel in their career in hotel and restaurant management.
On its 12th year, the MCF will raise the bar in the culinary competitions as it will be aligned with the standards and mechanics of the prestigious Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC), aspired to be participated in by chefs and apprentices nationwide.
“This is the first time that Davao Tourism Association (DATA) is partnering with the Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC), the biggest culinary event in the Philippines,” said Salome San Jose, DATA president.
The event is expected to attract HRM and culinary schools, restaurant owners, hotel and resort managers, as well as the general public from Davao as well as those who are living outside the city.
“The thing is they are not only going to see competition. We aim to spread the standard through demos at the WOFEX,” said James Antolin, Les Toques Blanches (LTB) officer.
LTB is the premier chefs association in the country and is also a member of the World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS).
“The reason why we partnered with Davao is because we saw the potential here in Davao,” Antolin said.
“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t see the potential. One thing, Viking is here. I’m just telling you one restaurant. And it all started in Manila, why are they here?” he added.
He said that this competition is not about battling each other, but rather learning from other contenders.
“It is not a one-sided competition where you see students running around. It is actually students learning from the professionals and professional actually learning from the students,” he said.
As of today, they have already recorded a total of 130 participants who will be joining the competition.
The competition has eight categories: Filipino Cuisine Challenge; Young Chef’s Team Challenge; Local Fish or Seafood; Pasta; Quick Fire Salad; Plated Desserts; Wedding Cakes; and Dress the Cake.
Winners of Young Chef’s Team and Filipino Cuisine Challenge will be sent to Manila to compete in the PCC which will happen in August. Winners for other categories will get certificates and medals.
“Competition is not all about prizes. It’s about actually what you have learned during the competition,” Antolin said. (davaotoday.com)
