Tops 5 of 9 contests entered
Monster Kitchen Academy continues to dominate Kumbira for the fifth straight year.
MKA is Overall Student Champion for Kumbira 2016
After winning the overall championship in the Professional category of the competitions for three straight years (2012-2013-2014), MKA is one year removed from an encore in the student category with its repeat championship in this 20th milestone year of Kumbira, the biggest culinary event and competition outside Metro Manila organized by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA).
“There’s no magic formula,” admits Maggie J. Uy, the other half of the dynamic duo who jointly run MKA and other affiliate food related enterprises. “It’s simply commitment, determination, hard work and lots of prayers.”
“Our hard working team is always up to the challenge for every competition,” Maggie’s hubby Jan says. “From the back room support staff to our competent chef instructors who always make sure that our students are pushed to their limits to perform their very best. More than winning every competition, it’s always the experience, fun, and fellowship that matters in the end.”
MKA’s Gold Winning Team for Best Filipino Umami Dish qualifies for the national finals of the Ajinomoto Umami Culinary Challenge.
MKA was top winners in the Chef Wars, My Own Umami Creation and Best Filipino Umami Dish and will represent the region in these categories in the National Food Showdown and Ajinomoto Umami Culinary Challenge.
MKA’s Chef Wars Team also qualifies for the National Food Showdown.
In the Chef Wars, the Monster Kitchen team won Silver, the highest award and qualified for the National Food Showdown to be held later this year in Baguio City.
The team’s winning entry consisted of Appetizers (Quenelle Poach Crab Mousse, Seafood Ragout in Pate a Choux, Calamansi Basil Vinaigrette, Crab Quiche Lorraine with Crab Fat Hollandaise in quiche cups) and Entrées (Pan Seared Crab and Grouper wrapped in Cucumber Paupiette, Crab Bisque Sauce, Ratatouille, Crab Potato Croquettes with Crab Fat Alai filling).
MKA’s team of Kissy Mae S. Alcorin, Alme Paulo A. Tineza and Briellnikko M. Macasero also qualified for the National Finals of the Ajinomoto Umami Culinary Challenge with a Gold medal in My Own Umami Creation with their Creamy Monggo soup with Shrimp Molo.
MKA team busy with the award-winning My Own Umami Creation Creamy Monggo Soup with Shrimp Molo
Not to be outdone, the MKA Team of Marcel V. Diez, Jeff Perroh T. Subrabas & Jihan Meryl M. del Puerto also qualified for the same competition with their gold medal performance in Best Filipino Umami Dish with their Tinuktok and Kalabasa with Dulaw Puree.
MKA’s Tinuktok & Kalabasa with Dulaw Puree was adjudged Best Filipino Umami Dish.
MKA was also tops in Creative Cake Decorating and in the Sugba de Oro categories.
Zandra T. Deniega and Precious Faye B. Manit snared the gold in Creative Cake Decorating with their 20th Kumbira themed cake while Kyle Drazey U. Eblacas and John Marco J. Hidalgo bagged the highest award (Bronze) in Sugba de Oro with their Grilled Mushroom-Stuffed Pork Loin, Bell Pepper Rouille, Grilled Squid stuffed with Paella, Bringhe (Pampanga Paella), Garlic Aoli, Grilled Iberian-Style Chicken, and Pineapple Salsa.
The Gold Winning effort for Creative Cake Decorating.
MKA bagged three more bronze medals in Artistic Bread Showpiece (Umahan) with Shamir B. Montemayor and Chermay Chantal G. Mutia; Pica-Pica Platter (Bistek Tagalog skewers with Pinakbet Puree, Vegetable stuffed Maya-Maya Roll in Escabeche (pickled) sauce drizzled with infused oil; Shrimp, Cheese & Vegetables Stuffed Lumpia with Citrus Vinegar Dip (Arnold Joshua G. Longakit & Honeylee R. Dolera) and Entremetier (Honeylee R. Dolera).
Not the least, the team of Chermay Chantal G. Mutia and Hector Cloyd O. Galdo was awarded a Diploma for Floral Centerpiece for Buffet with their “A Day in the Garden”.
It’s been all uphill for the MKA Student Team since they first joined Kumbira In only their second year of competing in the student category, the MKA team romped off with the Overall Championship with gold medals for Creative Cake Decorating, Bronze in Pica-Pica Platter, Entremetier, Artistic Bread Showpiece, and Sugba de Oro Platter with Condiments during the 19th Kumbira.
To commemorate its 2nd straight Students Overall Championship in Kumbira, MKA’s Fundamentals in Culinary Arts Batch 17 has decided to theme its Immersion slated on September 6, 2016 at Lantaw Cagayan de Oro Native Restaurant as “Senses: A Taste of Kumbira” where the MKA team’s award winning dishes will be featured along with live music from Ian Nuer, Jenz Peak, Oreo Vamenta and Vivi.
For more details, contact 0917-707-1245/ 8512019 or visit Monster Kitchen Academy at its main kitchen at the 2nd floor, Jardiniano Building, San Agustin-Rizal Street (Facing Gaston Park) or at its satellite kitchen at Mortola St. (facing Ororama Cogon). Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/monsterkitchenacademy.
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