MMSU studes win in food, trade expo

By Reynaldo E. Andres

Contributor

         

BATAC CITY-- Students taking up BS in Hospitality Management at the College of Business, Economics and Accountancy (CBEA) of Mariano Marcos State University won three major prizes and one second prize at the close of the three-day Ilocos Norte Food and Trade Expo (INFOTEX) Culinary Competition held at the Laoag City Centennial Arena from September 26-28, 2013.

The first placers are Zashkhia Gudoy, Carlo Llanes and Jesthel Andara in cupcake showdown competition; Pitchi Jolly Francisco, Pauline Austria and Paul Pinol in cake decorating; and Camille Herminaio, Jones Macatbag and Erine Saladino in miki showdown. On the other hand, Al Matthew Ganir won second place in the mix master category dubbed as “basi ko, mix ko” competition.

In the cupcake showdown, the participants were asked to make and display four variants of cupcakes with five pieces per variant, or 20 cupcakes. The MMSU contestants won because of their unique use of the ingredients based on the theme competition which made a great impact on the judges’ score cards.

In cake decorating, too, the other participants were asked to set-up and display, within two hours, a three-tier wedding cake based, while in the miki showdown, the students prepared a traditional miki and one unique/original miki recipe in just an hour of preparation. Their correct serving style, creative garnishing, and correct preparation were considered while creativity, modern presentation and artistic approach made a great impact on their score.

In the “basi ko, mix ko”, Ganir, a fourth year BSHM student, showed his cocktail preparation skill by creating a unique and original drink by mixing 20 ml basi wine (arak ti basi) with 30 ml of Grenadin, a non-alcoholic cocktail mix, 30 ml lime juice, and 10 ml tripe sec wine. This mixture is enough for a one swig each for two persons.

Organized by the Bakers and Restaurants Association of Ilocos Norte (BRAIN), INFOTEX was participated in by the Divine Word Colleges of Laoag City and Vigan City, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College of Candon (ISPSC Candon), Northwestern University, MMSU, and the Eastern Luzon Colleges of Nueva Vizcaya.

It aimed to enable the young participants to show their culinary talents and learn from renowned experts of the arts and the tourism industry

In the first day of the competition, the participants competed in five categories such as table setting, flower arrangement, fruit and vegetable carving, and soup showdown. During the second day, they competed on main course preparation, cake decorating, dessert showdown, salad a sandwich preparation, and cupcake showdown.

“It has been an excellent experience of the students because they did not only have the chance to show their culinary skills, but it helped them promote camaraderie among other students with the same interest and skills,” said Sheila B. Baquiran, BSHM program coordinator.