5 SABOR VICTORIAS COOK-OFF 2015 WINNERS

I was invited along with other members of the media and Negros Bloggers to cover one of the significant events of Kalamayan Festival in Victorias City, Negros Occidental, The  SABOR VICTORIAS COOK-OFF 22015.
The Sabor Victorias Cook-Off is part of the 2nd Kalamayan Festival. The word Kalamayan depicts what Victorias is known for, its “Kalamay” or sugar and its sugar industry, the Victorias Milling Company. The event, of course, was sponsored by Victorias Milling Company, which is not only known for its sugar, but with their other food products like Victorias Sardines, Victorias Ham, etc.

l-R: Victorias Mayor Francis Frederick ‘Wantan’ Palanca, VMC CFO Ms. Tess Ilagan & VMC Pres & CEO Mr. Eduardo V. Concepcionat the awarding of the 5 SABOR VICTORIAS COOK-OFF 2015 WINNERS

 (Photo credits: Claire Algarme)

The Sabor Victorias Cook-off had their elimination round last December 14, 2015, at the Don Alejandro Acuna Yapquina Cultural Center in Victorias City. Since the event was sponsored by the Victorias Milling Company, all main course recipe entries required the use of any of the following Victorias Foods products as an ingredient. These ingredients include Victorias canned products such as Hot Sardines, Hot Bangus, and Luncheon Meat; Victorias Meat Products such as Cooked Ham, Smoked Bacon, Pork Chorizo, Beef Tapa, and Pork Tocino.
Five finalists were chosen during the elimination round who competed for the finals last December 18, 2015,  right in front of the City Hall of Victorias City.

L-R: Chef Anton , Chef Nico de Asis and Chef Kokoy Evaresto

The board of judges was: Chef Anton of Vikings Bacolod, Chef Nico de Asis of Terrasse Bistro and Chef Kooky Evaristo of Anak ng Baka Restaurant. The panel of judges selected the 5 Winners Sabor Victorias Cook-off 2015 based on the following criteria: 50% quality and taste of dish; 20% plating and visual appeal; 10% use of Victorias products; 10% culinary skills (knife skills, cooking methods, food safety) and 10% adherence to recipe submitted.
All contestants were given 60 minutes to prepare the winning dish. While it was raining the contest turned out to be fun and entertaining.

5 SABOR VICTORIAS COOK-OFF 2015 WINNERS

Champion, Annie Ibardolasa  with her Malungay VMC Pork Tocino sa Buko

1. Annie Ibardolasa impressed the board of judges with her Malungay VMC Pork Tocino sa Buko

Jade Penaflorida and his “Salmon with Victorias Ham and Creamy and Dill Sauce”

2. Jade Penaflorida, the 1st Runner-up, almost went overtime preparing his “Salmon with Victorias Ham and Creamy and Dill Sauce”.

Anita Sigang with her ” Rellenong Pipino” or Stuffed Cucumber

3. Anita Sigang won the 2nd Runner-up tilt with her ” Rellenong Pipino” or Stuffed Cucumber. Apart from the cucumber which she uses the base of her dish, she used luncheon meat, red bell pepper,  onions, garlic and raisins for the stuffing.

3rd Runner-up ,Sheila Mae Hinarez  and her”Bacon kaige Tempura with Black and White Sauce”

4. Sheila Mae Hinarez placed 3rd Runner-up with her entry,”Bacon kaige Tempura with Black and White Sauce.” The main Victorias product which she uses was the bacon. Additional ingredients like carrots, squash, and sweet potato were added as the main ingredients of her recipe.

4th Runner-Up: Anabelle Pedrola  and her  “Victorias Spanish Roll”

5. Anabelle Pedroia -placed 4th Runner-up in the contest. Her entry “Victorias Spanish Roll” used Victorias Hot Sardines in Spanish Oil. Onions, Mongo sprouts, potato, carrots, bell pepper, cheese, and singkamas were added to the main ingredient.

The winners received the following prizes: Grand Champion – P15,000 in cash; The 1st Runner-up, 2nd Runner-up, and 3rd Runner-up received P10,000, P7,500 and P5,000 respectively. A consolation prize of P2,000 given to the other finalists.

About Victorias City
Victorias City is a fourth class city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. Considered as the sugar capital of Negros Occidental. Victorias is notable for being the site of Victorias Milling Company, sitting on a 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres) compound that makes it Philippine’s largest sugar refinery and the world’s largest integrated sugar mill. Within the company’s chapel is a mural of the Angry Christ painted by international artist Alfonso Ossorio. The painting has been featured in various publications like Life Magazine.

How to Get to Victorias

Victorias is located in the northern part of Negros Occidental. From Bacolod City, Victorias can be reached in 40 to 45 minutes either by private car or public utility vehicles plying the northern Negros.