The culinary skills of City of Dreams Manila’s chef-delegates to the 2024 Philippine Culinary Cup shone bright at the competition, with the 17-man team bagging a total of 22 medals at the four-day competition during the World Food Expo held at the SMX Convention Center.
“We commend the prestigious achievements of our culinary team at the 2024 Philippine Culinary Cup. These medals attest to the exemplary skills and versatility of our chefs, whose expertise and talents make the difference in the diverse cuisines offered in our outlets and banquets. They are pivotal in making our property a sought-after dining destination by our customers and are well-loved in the workplace where they also offer a well-planned 24/7 buffet in the colleagues dining room,” Property President Geoff Andres said.
Headlining the integrated resort’s winners in various categories are:
Gold: Roberto Gapas Jr. (ChowDown employee dining outlet), US Lamb competition; Krizia De Jesus together with Farrah Cacapit (Chocol8 at Café Society), Chocolate Pastry Showpiece.
Silver: The trio of Rier Maverick Franco, Jeffrey Casauay (both in Banquet Events), and Ruben Rivamonte Jr. (Pastry) along with Haliya’s trio comprised of Jiro Flora, John Christian Torrano and Deonito Alas, in two separate Dream Team Challenge events; Lee Chia Lok (Season 88), US Lamb, and Mary Apple Delantar (Pastry), Wedding Cake. Franco (Banquet Events) took another Silver for Creative Breakfast.
Bronze: The quad team of Jeffrey Casauay and Brett Michael Nalog (Banquet Events) and Haliya duo of Torrano and Fritz Restar, Filipino cuisine; Margarita Matias (Season 88), Creative Breakfast, Garie Bautista (Pastry), Bread Pastry Showpiece; Frederick John Lim (Banquet Events), US Pork; Johnny Iglesias (Banquet Events), Poultry; and Rivamonte Jr. (Pastry), French Touch Challenge for Dessert.
Of this year’s winners, Rier Maverick Franco also won a gold medal and a silver medal in the 2019 competition; as did Jeffrey Casauay, silver awardee.
Endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies, the Philippine Culinary Cup has been known over the years as a prestigious culinary competition in the Philippines, providing Filipino chefs an internationally recognized platform to hone and showcase their culinary talents. The event was organized by LTB Chefs Association of the Philippines, the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines, and PEPTarsus Corp.