March 29, 2011

Bravo, LTB Philippines!

FINALLY, some good news in our part of the world!

The LTB* Philippines Culinary Team won the Bronze Medal at the 2011 Oceanafest Culinary Competition in Perth, Australia on March 23, 2011 with a Filipino-inspired menu prepared by Team Captain Ariel Manuel, Garry de Guia, and Ruel Tiquis of Lolodad's Cafe and Brasserie 6750, Pastry Chefs Jasmin Magallanes and Cyrile Ermita of Enderun Colleges, supported by Fernando Aracama and J. Gamboa.

The team's menu prepared in four hours at the Perth Convention Center was served to 86 persons was very well received and offered diners the refreshing & unique flavors of Filipino cuisine using Australian seafood, lamb, vegetables and dairy products.

(Roasted saddle of lamb w/ shiitake crepinette and caldereta sauce. Photos courtesy LTB Philippines.)

Head judge Otto Weibel was all praises for the team's Mussel, Yabbie and Broccoli Terrine, the crispy Sweetbread-Rice "Lumpia" and the perfectly cooked Saddle of Lamb. While esteemed Australian pastry chef Brendan Hill was very impressed with Chefs Jasmin Magallanes and Cyrile Ermita's Spiced Infused Pineapple in Yogurt Mousse on Coconut Dacquiose dessert. (Weibel is the Director of Kitchens at Swissôtel The Stamford & Fairmont Singapore, while Hill is a foremost pastry expert in Australia, and once captain of the Australian Culinary Olympic team.)

The dishes whipped up by our kick-ass chefs were:

Shellfish “Pesa” 

Seared Scallop, Blue Crab Fritter with a Mussel, Yabbie & Broccoli Terrine
in Light Ginger-Lemongrass Broth & “Tahure” Tomato Relish

Roasted Saddle of Lamb with Shiitake Crepinette and “Caldereta” Sauce,
Sweetbread-Rice “Lumpia”, 
Baby Cos Lettuce with Chorizo Stuffing,
Vegetable “Atchara” & Garlic Foam

Spiced Infused Pineapple in Yogurt Mousse
on Coconut Dacquoise, Basil Syrup & “Mascuvado Latik”

Mmmm...Mouth-watering!

(Seafood Pesa in Light Ginger and Lemongrass Broth)

Props also goes to the team's sponsors: ESV International, Ajinomoto Philippines, Werdenberg International Corporation, Alternatives Food Corp., Wine Warehouse, Chef Revival, Meat & Livestock Australia, Unilever Food Solutions, Enderun Colleges, Julabo, RainPhil, San Miguel Lifestyle Brews, Singapore Airlines, Wuesthof, Vulcan Resources and Premier Events Plus Group. Special thanks to Shirlyn Lao & Peter Atsaros of Austral Pacific Exports and the Hyatt Regency Perth for all their support in Perth.

The Gold medal was awarded to Singapore while the Silver went to Hong Kong. There were seven National Teams that competed in the 11th Oceanafest Culinary Competitions.

Chefs Ariel, Garry, Ruel, Garry, Jasmin, Cyrile, Fernando and J. (LTB Philippines Culinary Team 2011) wishes to thank everyone for their support and good wishes!

(Spiced Infused Pineapple in Yogurt Mousse on Coconut Dacquoise)


(The LTB PH Culinary Team - from left: Cyrille Ermita, Jasmin Magallanes, Garry de Guia, Ruel Tiquis, with Team Captain Ariel Manuel.)

Congratulations, Chefs! ;p

*Les Toques Blanches (LTB) is the premier chefs association in the Philippines and is a member of the World Association of Chefs Societies.

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