Solane, the leading LPG solutions brand, is taking its grandest culinary competition to Mindanao as it kicks off a series of regional cook-offs for the Solane Kitchen Hero Chefs’ Edition, the first-ever cooking competition that aims to discover the next big name in the culinary world.
After going to 8 different regions in Luzon and Visayas, the nationwide culinary tilt will start off with the competition at the Robinsons Place in General Santos. This will be followed by competition legs in Davao and Cagayan De Oro.
“Mindanao is home to some of the country’s culinary treasures and the most talented chefs in the country,” says Isla LPG Corp. CEO Ruben Domingo. “Through the Solane Kitchen Hero competition, we aim to recognize these chefs who are vital in bringing Filipino cuisine to the world stage. At the same time, we are on a quest to explore and highlight Filipino specialties that are unique to our provinces.”
For this one-of-a-kind cook-off, participants must be Filipino professional chefs with at least three (3) years of kitchen experience gained locally or abroad. They must be currently employed as a professional chef in a hotel, restaurant, or any food-service establishment.
Prior to the Mindanao regional leg, Solane Kitchen Hero has conducted competition legs in Luzon and Visayas, resulting in 9 Solane Kitchen Hero finalists. The regional winners will compete in the semi-finals where qualifiers will move on to the grand finals for the final cook-off to find out who among them will be hailed the champion of Solane Kitchen Hero Chefs’ Edition.
MEET THE JUDGES
The culinary creations will be judged by renowned chef and Solane Kitchen Hero ambassador Chef Sau del Rosario and bestselling author and Solane Kitchen Hero competition director Nancy Reyes-Lumen.
It will be based on the following criteria: 50% featured ingredients and 50% originality and creativity. The competition will conclude on September 7, 2019, at Eastwood City, Metro Manila.The winner of Solane Kitchen Hero Chefs’ Edition will take home P100,000 and will embark on a culinary trip to Japan with customized stops at different food and drink destinations. This exciting cooking contest is made possible with the support of dynamic organizations and brands championing the same passion for cookery in the country. STI serves as their official school partner while Midea is a co-presenter. Major sponsors are Masflex, Jolly, Jolly Heartmate Canola Oil, Dona Elena, and Dona Elena Al Dente. Minor sponsors are King Sue, Ajinomoto, Philtranco, Fastcat, Chef’s Garb, and National Bookstore.
INTERVIEW WITH SOLANE’s CEO
Yesterday, I was grateful and privileged to have been able to interview the CEO (Chief Executive Officer of Isla LPG Corporation), Mr. Ruben Domingo.
According to him, he is proud to say that Solane Kitchen Hero was able to accomplish several legs already within the country covering major regions in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao areas. He also said that all the winners from the different legs will compete at the Nationals (Finals) in Manila on September 2019.
This is not the first time that Solane had cooking competitions because they had various culinary competitions in the past, only smaller and not as structured as the Solane Kitchen Hero. But right after seeing the success of these small competitions, they decided to create a branding and professionalize their cooking competition and the product of that is now “Solane Kitchen Hero”.
When asked what made them decide to create a Big Culinary Competition like Solane Kitchen Hero, Mr. Domingo said that it’s because they noticed that there are actually plenty of chefs that haven’t been recognized but are actually good. These chefs are always working behind the scenes and they thought why not find a way to get them to be acknowledged, increase their confidence, improve their craft and develop their skill?
And so, the Solane Kitchen Hero idea was born and they are hoping that this is the start of something big and something that they can sustain. The Solane Kitchen Hero has already covered around 9 areas in the Philippines such as Northern, Central, North East and Southern Luzon, some areas in the Visayas and some in Mindanao as well.
Cagayan de Oro is the last leg but they are going to go to Manila first before the Finals (National Competition) hits in September 2019.
They hope to create a bigger and better Solane Kitchen Hero in the upcoming year by putting all their learnings of this year’s competition. His message to all aspiring chefs and those who want to want to join this competition next year is to not hold back in joining cooking contests. Because practice makes perfect and by joining Solane Kitchen Hero, they can hone their craft, become better chefs and have learnings they can use to become successful in the future.
MISSY BON BON MEDIA LUNCHEON
Yesterday, the Media and Blogger community had a media luncheon with Solane executives and even had a short chitchat with Chef Sau Del Rosario and Solane Communications Manager, Mr. Rione Palacios about Solane Kitchen Hero.
It was such a fun and memorable event as we were able to get to know the people behind the success of Solane and Solane Kitchen Hero.
COMPETITION PROPER AT THE LIMKETKAI ATRIUM
At the competition proper, everybody did a great job not only the participants but also the judges and everybody from Solane as well. Here are the criteria for judging the Solane Kitchen Hero.
CRITERIA:
Featured ingredient/s used – 50%.
The recipe must include at least one (1) local ingredient inherent to the province being represented.
Originality and Creativity – 50%
The participant must creatively show a tested recipe which corresponds to the local ingredient/s being used. Photo and caption must contain a personal touch and what inspired them to create the dish.
TOTAL: 100%
Here are some photos of the chefs in action, the judges and the winners of the Solane Kitchen Hero 2019:
CONTACT INFORMATION
To know more about Solane Kitchen Hero Chef’s Edition, visit Solane’s website www.solane.com.ph and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/solane.ph/
For more information, please contact Fuentes Manila:
Kimberly Tsao 0998 987 8362
Jennylyn Prieto 0998 840 5580
SCHEDULE of REGIONAL COMPETITION LEGS
| REGIONS | LOCATION | VENUE | Date |
| Region III: Central Luzon | Location: Tarlac | CityWalk | 24-May-19 |
| Region 1: Ilocos Region | Location: La Union | San Fernando City Plaza | 25-May-19 |
| Region II. Cagayan Valley Region | Location: Isabela | FL Dy Coliseum | 1-Jun-19 |
| Region IV B MIMAROPA | Location: Puerto Princesa | Chinatown Center Palawan | 7-Jun-19 |
| Region V Bicol Region | Location: Legazpi | LCC Mall | 13-Jun-19 |
| Region IV-A Calabarzon | Location: Batangas | Nuciti Central | 21-Jun-19 |
| Region VIII. Eastern Visayas and Region VII. Central Visayas | Location: Cebu | Robinsons Galleria Mall | 6-Jul-19 |
| REGION VI. Western/Central Visayas | Location: Bacolod | City Mall Mandalagan | 12-Jul-19 |
| Region XII. SOCCSKARGEN + ARMM (Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao) |
Location: General Santos | Robinsons Mall GenSan | 8-Aug-19 |
| Region IX. Zamboanga Peninsula + ARMM (Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Sulu) and Region XI. Davao Region | Location: Davao City | Philippines Women’s College | 10-Aug-19 |
| Region.X. Northern Mindanao Region XIII. Caraga Region |
Location: Cagayan de Oro | SM Premier Downtown | 15-Aug-19 |
| NCR: National Capital Region | Location: Metro Manila | Tiendesitas | 24-Aug-19 |
| NATIONALS | Location: Metro Manila | ETON Centris | 6-Sept-19 |
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