(Photo from John Sonza)
October 14, 2015, 9:58p.m. – THE CULINARY prowess of two Thomasians won first place in a cooking competition.
Fourth-year Hotel and Restaurant Management students Jan Reitchelle Atanacio and John Sonza topped the Ham, Sauces and Garnishing category of the seventh ‘QCNA! Kulinarya, Turismo, Talento, Atbp.’ contest held at TriNoma Mall in Quezon City last Oct. 1.
“Marami rin kaming mga batchmates at iyong ibang students na gustong sumali,” Sonza said. “Nine pairs kaming nagcompete from different schools kaya hindi ko ine-expect na kami ‘yung mananalo.”
The dish prepared by the two College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) students was a lechon-flavored hamonado with a tamarind and mango puree-based sauce. It was garnished with ingredients like lemon grass, bay leaf and star anise, and fruits like papaya, mangoes and pineapples.
However, the catch was to carve the dish in the form of a landmark found in Quezon City.
“Noong una parang madali lang, pero nalaman namin na kailangan palang magcarve ng landmark na matatagpuan sa Quezon City at kailangan ma-depict iyong Christmas season,” said Sonza.
Their lechon was carved in the form of the arch found in La Loma, also known as the “lechon capital” of Quezon City.
Atanacio said this was their first time to join a competition outside the University. The only competition they joined before was the Plated Hot and Cold Dessert Competition organized by the Hotel and Restaurant Management Society in CTHM, where they won first place.
The ‘QCNA! Kulinarya, Turismo, Talento, Atbp.’ is an annual event organized by the local government of Quezon City to showcase the city’s finest food and culture, and promote the city as a tourist attraction. Mary Grace C. Esmaya
