events, food

The AJINOMOTO® Umami Culinary Challenge 2013

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events, food, Ajinomoto

The fourth year and fifth implementation of the AJINOMOTO® Umami Culinary Challenge welcomes thousands of visitors and 450 student-competitors at the SMX Convention Center last February 02, 2013. 43 universities and colleges in Metro Manila and nearby provinces showcased their mastery of achieving umami taste in their culinary creations to vie for the coveted Umami Bowl Award.

events, food, Ajinomoto
one of the judges, Chef Rosebud Benitez

In each of the five (5) competition categories, HRM and Nutrition students were given an hour to prepare and cook their dishes. These dishes are then presented to an esteemed panel of judges, which includes, among others, professional chefs – Eugene Raymundo, Seiji Kamura, Rosebud Benitez, James Antolin, Sau del Rosario, food editors – Nana Ozaeta and Dolly Dy and other food experts. Judges decided based on intensity of umami taste, culinary technique and creativity, dish preparation and plate presentation.

events, food, Ajinomoto
the Umami dishes

One of the major criteria of this competition is Eat Well, Live Well.® Cooking. This is judged by the UCC Nutrition Panel composed of Dr. Celeste Tanchoco, President of the Nutritionist-Dietitian Association of the Philippines and Dr. Josefa Eusebio, President of the Glutamate Association of the Philippines. This criterion refers to the integration of culinary skills and nutrition knowledge to create a delicious and nourishing umami dish. Chef Russell Bautista, Project Head of the event explains, “The AJINOMOTO® Umami Culinary Challenge has always been about providing opportunities for aspiring chefs to learn how to develop healthy and tasty dishes. We go beyond satisfying the taste buds. We want all of our participants to appreciate the importance of improving of the quality of life of the people that we serve.”

events, food, Ajinomoto
the competition area

Apart from the culinary competitions, foodies and other guests enjoy exhibit booths from sponsors and witness the Caterers’ Forum hosted by Food Caterer’s Association of the Philippines (FCAP) and AJINOMOTO® CaterServe and a meat processing seminar facilitated by Mrs. Lourdes Rivera of Ultima Entrepinoy Center. Ms. Kathryn Bernardo, the new AJI-NO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning endorser and one of the hottest stars of the Kapamilya Network also made a special appearance to congratulate all the participants for a job well done.

events, food, Ajinomoto
The Umami Bowl Champions, Arellano University – Jose Abad Santos

The event finale is the awarding of winners, which names Arellano University – Jose Abad Santos as the Umami Bowl Champion for garnering the highest average score and excelling in competition categories including Umami Bento Meal, My Own Umami Creation and Umami Potter. The UCC 2013 gold medalists, as follows:

Category School Dish Name Students
Umami Bento Meal Colegio de San Lorenzo Pouched Salmon with Shoyu Glazed with Rice Pilaf
  • Christine Torio
  • Lardette Mohammad
  • Fritz Prudencio
Healthy Asian Umami Dish Central Luzon College of Science and Technology Grilled Fish Fillet in Lemon and Chives
  • Krisna Mae Portin
  • Ma. Naomi Kimeco Fortunato
  • Vanessa Arimboanga
Best Filipino Umami Dish Delos Santos STI College Liver Rice Adobo and Chicken Coconut Pandan with Crunchy Kangkong
  • Patricia Anne San Agustin
  • Maricel Refusio
  • Patrick San Agustin
My Own Umami Creation Arellano University – Jose Abad Santos Gabi Roll in Bagoong Coconut Sauce
  • Anna Andrea Parilla
  • Christopher Rabino
  • Raymart Palacio
Umami Potter Rogationist College Hot and Sour Coco Clam Soup with Saluyot, Vermicelli and Shredded Coconut Meat Served in Fresh Buko Shells
  • Maximillian Cosca
  • Joyce Ann Gatpandan
  • Romnick Dela Cruz

Overall, the Umami Bowl Champion brings home a kitchen showcase on top of other prizes.  15 more schools receive medals, cash prizes, cooking equipment, gift certificates and culinary books courtesy of Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation and its sponsors.

The AJINOMOTO® Umami Culinary Challenge 2013 is presented by Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation, in partnership with the Food Caterer’s Association of the Philippines and sponsored by La Germania, Solane, Whirlpool/Fujidenzo, Sweetlink, Masflex and Anvil Publishing.

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Announcement, events

Where-to-Weekend: Babypalooza Bazaar, ADMU Campus

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Where-to-weekend, bazaar, events, announcement

What: Babypalooza Bazaar

Date:  16 + 17 February, 2013, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Walter Hogan Conference Center, ISO, Ateneo de Manila University, QC campus.

Here’s another great weekend event for mums + mums-to-be, the Babypalooza Bazaar! Get your baby, toddlers and infant essentials, like baby clothing, shoes and accessories, gear, strollers/baby furniture, feeding bottles, nursing wear, breast pumps, skin care and cleaning products,  from trusted brands like Phillips Avent, Vulli (Sophie the Giraffe), Carter’s, Dr. Brown, Calvin Klein, Tiny Buds, Red Tag, Gap, Human Heart Nature and Osh Kosh at mum-friendly {+ did I mention, negotiable? ;)} prices. Choose from brand new and pre-loved items.

For unique shopping experience, the bazaar also features a Vendor Protection Program {VPP}, ensuring that items sold by one Babypalooza vendor will not be sold by another, so the bazaar-goers will not see the same stuff from several vendors over again, making the bazaar far more interesting and worthwhile.

Air-conditioned breastfeeding and diaper changing areas, as well as children’s play zone and daddy lounge will be designated. There is also free-parking and entrance.

For more information about the bazaar and the list of brands and items available, you may check out the Babypalooza Website.

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events, food

Experience Umami at The AJINOMOTO® Umami Culinary Challenge 2013

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pr, food, events

Almost 500 HRM and Nutrition students from distinguished universities and colleges in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, including  University of Sto. Tomas, Lyceum Manila and Miriam College, are set to showcase their culinary skills and mastery of the umami taste at the AJINOMOTO® Umami Culinary Challenge (UCC) 2013. This will be held on 02 February, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center, Hall 2.

“We want more aspiring chefs to discover how deep understanding of umami effectively develop their skills to attain culinary excellence.” says Chef Russell Bautista, Project Head of UCC. Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation has established UCC, as the first of its kind, inter-school, multi-category culinary competition that focuses on umami, the 5th basic taste alongside sweet, sour, bitter and salty. UCC is growing bigger each year,  now on its fourth year.

Contestants will be engaged in five (5) competition categories: 1) Umami Bento Meal, 2) Healthy Asian Umami Dish, 3) Best Filipino Umami Dish, 4) My own Umami Creation and 5) Umami Potter. Criteria for selecting the winning dishes include intensity of umami taste, culinary technique and creativity, dish preparation, plate presentation and Eat Well, Live Well.® Cooking, which refers to the integration of culinary skills and nutrition knowledge to create a delicious and nourishing umami dish.

Culinary luminaries like Chef Seiji Kamura (Executive Chef Mana Clinary Fusion), Chef Joey Herrera (ISCAHM Chef), Chef Ed Quimson (Chef Patron M Catering & Fine Foods), Chef Eugene Raymundo (Food stylist, part owner of Five Cows Restaurant and Kitch Café), Chef Babes Austria (Executive Chef, Taal Vista Hotel Tagaytay), to name a few, will serve as competition judges.

Seminars on food safety and food processing, umami cooking demonstrations, interactive booths from sponsors and other exciting activities, will enjoyed by foodies and other guests who will participate in this whole day event . UCC also welcomes caterers and meat processors as the event is staged in partnership with the Food Caterers Association of the Philippines (FCAP) and the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). The AJINOMOTO® Umami Culinary Challenge 2013 is presented by Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation and sponsored by La Germania,  Whirlpool/Fujidenzo, Solane, and  Masflex.

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