CEBU, Philippines — Chef Nico Julius Joson of Wingers Unlimited (Mango Branch) and Pontanar’s Canteen emerged as the Grand Winner of the Visayas leg of the “Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Twist Fest Year 2” completion, a nationwide culinary competition that seeks to discover new interpretations of classic Pinoy dishes.
Staged at the Pool Aquarius Gazebo of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino on August 9, Joson’s winning “Adoboque” bested the innovations of Chefs Chad Anton Alao (Sinampalokang Adobong Manok), Junrey Remiter (Cebuano Stuffed Chicken Adobo w/ Atsuete Quail Egg Fried Rice), Wyreen Joy Alarcon (Chicharong Bulaklak in Kare-Kare Sauce) and Arlyn Conanan (Bulalo with Coconut Cream).
The five competing chefs of the Visayas leg of the competition had a pick to prepare contemporary iterations of traditional Filipino dishes crispy pata, adobo, kare-kare, bulao or sisig.
Judges Brando Santos (Unilever Food Solutions senior sous chef), Raki Urbina (Laguna Group of Companies managing director and corporate chef) and Glenne Sy (Moon Cafe, Shaka Hawaiian Restaurant, Cafe Racer Diner and Kampo Grill & Bar executive chef) picked the winning “Adoboque” based on the use of Unilever Food Solutions products, overall presentation and the flavorful twist that was infused into the dish.
The last leg of the competition will be in Mindanao on August 22, along with the grand finals wherein the winners of its previous legs will compete for the title of Grand National Winner.