Chefs from Newport World Resorts’ international hotels Hilton Manila, Marriott Hotel Manila, and Sheraton Manila Hotel proved their kitchen prowess and dominated in this year’s Philippine Culinary Cup. Each hotel’s group of seasoned chefs exhibited their signature flair in the kitchen arena and won big at the World Food Expo (WOFEX) 2022 with a collective haul of 26 medals in total.
Hilton Manila’s top-notch culinary team bagged the Overall Championship at this year’s Philippine Culinary Cup (Professional Division) with a total of 11 medals across various categories. Bringing home Hilton Manila’s two gold medals are: Junior Sous Chef Aldrin Somera for the Pastry Chocolate Showpiece category and Chef de Partie (CDP) Sheanne Sto. Domingo for the French Touch Challenge-Savory category.
CDP Rhea Santos was awarded category winner and silver medalist for her Plant-based Meal. CDP John Michael Paguio, and the Commis Chef tandem of Eriq Madriaga and Charles Quiamco, were recognized with Silver medals for the French Touch Challenge-Pastry and the K1 Filipino Cuisine Challenge categories, respectively.
Rounding out the medal haul are Bronze medalists Commis Chef Alain Reyes for Plant-based Meal, CDP John Michael Paguio for Plant-based Dessert, Chief Baker Garie Bautista for Bread Showpiece, Commis Chef Michael Velasquez for Fantasy Plated Dessert, CDP Jan Cyrile Baraquiel for U.S. Pork, and Sous Chef Ivy Flores for U.S. Beef.
For Marriott Manila, this year’s competition yielded their culinary team 13 medals. CDP Chef Rey Llego won their lone gold for the French Touch-Savoury category. Sous Chef Erwin Marquez won three silvers in the US Beef, US Pork, and US Lamb categories. Commis I Chef Yvette Marumi also won silver in the Chocolate Showpiece category.
For the team categories, the Dream Team of CDP Chef Jimmy Manalo, CDP Chef Rey Llego, and CDP Chef Joal Garfin, and the Filipino Challenge tandem of Commis I Chef Rickson Alcantara and Commis I Chef Christopher Saquing earned bronze medals.
Also bagging bronze are Sous Chef Erwin Marquez for Creative Breakfast, Commis I Chef Jantzen Tiangha for US Beef, Commis I Chef Richard Hubilla for US Pork and US Lamb, CDP Chef Brainard Vito for Plant-based Savory, and Commis I Chef Deca Erastain for Plant-based dessert.
Sheraton Manila also pulled up with two bronze wins by CDP Lesther Vergara of Oori for the Modern Gourmet Chef Challenge and CDP Paxton Ignacio of S Kitchen for the Plant-based Dessert category.
