TWENTY-FOUR-YEAR-OLD pride of Leyte Chef Nico Julius Joson (middle) is awarded as the first-ever Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Visayas Champion with his modern makeover of the Filipino favorite Adobo—the Adobecque. In photo with him are (from left) UFS Philippines Operator Marketing Manager Irene Valdez; Moon Café, Shaka Hawaiian Restaurant, Café Racer Diner, and Kampo Grill & Bar Executive Chef Glenne Sy; UFS Senior Sous Chef Brando Santos; and Laguna Group of Companies Managing Director and Corporate Chef Raki Urbina.
KNORR FUNLASANG PINOY YEAR 2
TOP chefs and cooks representing Leyte, Cebu, Panay, and Busuanga delved into the heart of native flavors and ingredients and turned classic Filipino favorites— crispy pata, adobo, kare-kare, bulalo, and sisig—into culinary delights with novel tastes at the first-ever Visayas leg of the Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Twist Fest Year 2.
Chef Nico Julius Joson, who hails from Leyte, bested the region’s finalists with his Adobecque, his innovative take on the Pinoy favorite Adobo.
Joson’s winning creation applied two methods of cooking the pork belly—simmered and grilled—and served the tender meat with java rice, pickled carrots, and cucumber, which showcased a dish that was as mouthwatering as it was beautifully presented.
“We at UFS recognize the immense talent of our local chefs and cooks, which is why we launched Funlasang Pinoy last year, and have decided to make it bigger this year,” shared James Benedict Carreon, Managing Director of UFS Philippines.
Cebuanos’ Stuffed Chicken Adobo with Atsuete Quail Egg Fried Rice by Chef Junrey Remiter. Cebu’s finest local ingredients combined into one dish.
“We want to have a platform where we continue to recognize the exemplary talent of chefs and cooks around the country, and showcase the rich and lively culinary scene that the different regions of the country have to offer.”
Any traveler knows that a tour through the Visayas region is truly a feast for the senses—not only in its charming attractions and vibrant cultures, but also through its delectable array of unique cuisines.
For this year’s competition, the roster of chefs and cooks representing the region perfectly captured the diversity in the flavors and taste to their culinary creations.
From Sinampalokang Adobong Manok, Stuffed Chicken Adobo, Chicharong Bulaklak in Kare-kare Sauce, to Bulalo with Coconut Cream, to the winning Adobecque, the finalists presented an array of innovative dishes bursting with local flavors such as bagoong (shrimp paste), atsuete (annatto), and gata (coconut milk)—all championing the Visayas’ vibrant food scene.
“Food innovation is not about betraying our own tradition and heritage. A well-executed dish is one that can transform a familiar experience into one that can be distinct and unforgettable,” shared Chef Fernando Aracama, the Immediate Past President of LTB Philippines
Chefs Association, which supports the Funlasang Pinoy program.
“I believe that chefs and cooks are all artists of an experience employing a wide array of ingredients and techniques, and drawing from their personal inspirations, to create masterpieces,” he added.
“I have always believed that it is every Filipino chef and cook’s calling to keep promoting our local cuisine by finding ways, techniques, and methods to elevate the diners’ experience. Funlasang Pinoy gave me this opportunity, and helped me realize that there are no limitations in being creative in the kitchen, which I hope my co-chefs also experience,” Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Year 1 winner Danilo Puga II also added.
Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Twist Fest Year 2 will hold its third and final cook-off in Davao on Aug.22 to complete all three national grand winners.
The winning chefs get to take home each a P100,000 cash prize, and an exclusive opportunity to attend the UFS Chefmanship Academy to further enhance their culinary knowledge and expertise through mentorships.
“More than being a competition, we hope for Funlasang Pinoy to help create a better Filipino dining experience, take Filipino cuisine to brand new heights, and share it with more people—here and abroad,” Carreon concluded.
* To know more about Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Year 2, visit www.ufs.com.ph.