Fil-Am chefs bring PH cuisine to next level

SAN FRANCISCO – Pancit Palabok with Crisp Pork Belly, Prawns, Broth and Noodles with Soft Quail Eggs; Sisig with Chicken with Liver Pate--these were the winning dishes in this year’s Kulinarya.

Now in its third year, Kulinarya not only promises to bring Filipino food to the next level but to give chefs a chance to show what’s cooking in the Filipino kitchen.

Held at SomArts Cultural Center last Sunday, Kulinarya promises to be the biggest competition for Filipino-American chefs — vying to be the best in amateur and professional divisions.

This year, two chefs from Los Angeles competed, along with chefs from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Rene de los Santos, Philippine Department of Tourism director said, “This is a great achievement because we’re trying to make this competition national and hope that, in the future, we can bring other contestants from New York, Chicago, Honolulu and Washington DC.

Philippine Consul General Marciano Paynor hopes that Kulinarya will encourage Fil-Am chefs to open fine dining restaurants showcasing Filipino cuisine.

“If you have fine dining cuisine, then the mainstream will come and look at it," he said.

For Thomas Weibull and Justin Hulog, winning Kulinarya means a chance to explore Philippine cuisine to its fullest. Both won cash prizes and trips to the Philippines.

Weibull, winner of the professional division, worked as executive chef of Plouf seafood restaurant. "It will be great to visit and see different regions in the Philippines, try different ingredients, flavor profiles," he said.

Hulog, the amateur division champ, is the editor of the food blog, “The Palay”.

"We just have to keep pursuing when we think of how important it is to bring Filipino food to the mainstream especially here in the States. The more incredible chefs we have making incredible food and showcasing them, the better off we are," Hulog said.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Fil-Am chef cooks adobo at Eat Vancouver Festival

VANCOUVER – It was no less than a culinary champion from California, Fil-Am Chef Albert Rivera who took the stage at the recent Eat Vancouver festival.

His recipe, the classic Chicken Adobo, but served with a twist as it was prepared with coconut milk.

Rivera said there were no second thoughts in choosing his favorite dish.

“It comes from the heart. I just want to show there are different ways of cooking adobo,” the Kulinarya Champion 2012 said.

The demo was quick and the line was long as the audience was eager to taste his creation.

Chef Rivera said Filipino food is just the beginning of the things one can enjoy in the Philippines.

“We have all the fusion of flavors and the beaches! It’s an island! What more can you say? It’s a beautiful island,” he said.

It’s no wonder then that while the Department of Tourism launch its latest campaign, “It's more fun in the Philippines” during the Eat Vancouver Festival with tourist arrival in Canada going 10% last year. Tourism officials said it’s a big market they can’t ignore.

With the help of local tour operators, different Philippine vacation packages were offered to showcase the country's best.

“Ang pagkakaiba ng Pilipinas kaysa ibang Asian destinations ay ang ating hospitality, our friendliness and very engaging people. Kaya nga itong campaign natin na Its more fun in the Philippines, naka-anchor ito sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino na kapag pumunta ang mga turista sa Pilipinas, they will enjoy their stay in the Philippines. Aside from the beautiful places,” said Rene Delos Santos of the Philippine Tourism Office in San Francisco.

source: abs-cbnnews.com