AND THE WINNER IS …
Chef Emzo Ramos, Hasset Go and Dang Adrias tasting one of the barangay cook’s take on Kare-kare.
The one who emerged victorious that day, turned out to be working in the food industry as an assistant to professional chefs in different hotels and restaurants. The winner, Mr. Georege Ibañez, narrated that when he was young, his mother always gave him kitchen chores – which included daily trips to the wet market to pick the best produce, to the meticulous preparation of ingredients and the actual cooking itself! That childhood experience developed his passion for cooking and paved the way for a bright cooking career. At an early age, he tried his luck by joining the kitchen of numerous hotels and restaurants and have worked in the culinary industry for over 14 years!
He used what he learned from his experiences to open up a small business, a carinderia, which is widely patronized in his barangay! Sir George said that even before lunchtime, all the food he prepared for that day would already be sold out! “Food should not only be delicious and cost-friendly, but also nutritious!” …. wise words from a true-blue barangay cooking idol, if you ask me!
Mr. George Ibañez, the best Kare-kare cook of Barangay Cooking Idol in SM Hypermarket Cubao, with the three judges.
The winning bowl of Kare-kare!
For me, Master Chefs: Barangay Cooking Idol is more than just a competition nor a gathering of cooks. That afternoon, I witnessed Pinoy camaraderie as the participants cheered for one another and generously shared their own cooking techniques to fellow passionate cooks…making all of them, masters in their own right.
The ten winners will battle again for the final cook-off to determine who, in their barangay, will reign as the ultimate master chef!
It will happen on November 5 and held again at SM Hypermarket Cubao! Be sure to be there to cheer for your favorite barangay master chef! I’m sure this next round will be more exciting!
For more details on the upcoming elimination rounds you can check SM Hypermarket’s Facebook Page, just click here.
MASTER CHEFS: BARANGAY COOKING IDOL 2013
Presented by SM Hypermarket.
For more information, you may visit the local SM Hypermarket store near you.
Like them on Facebook: SM Hypermarket
All photos by Nikko Panti
