The 1st Saravia Culinary Contest showcased two of the famous products of E. B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, at the town‘s public plaza on Saturday, April 27.
The culinary contest, held as part of the activities for the ongoing 35th Ugyonan Festival, the main fiesta of E. B. Magalona, showcased the town’s blue crabs and the Canlusong coffee, a press release from the town said.
Saravia is the former name of E. B. Magalona.
Mayor Marvin Malacon said E. B. Magalona is very proud to show to the world the many interesting cuisines that can be made using blue crabs, and drinks and desserts using Canlusong coffee – and what better venue to highlight these than through a culinary contest during Ugyonan Festival.
Blue-swimming crabs are abundant in the waters off E. B. Magalona hence the town has earned the tourism tagline, “The Blue Crab Capital of Negros Occidental.”
Meanwhile, Canlusong organic coffee, with four varieties – robusta, excelsa, arabica, and liberica – comes from the beans of coffee trees growing wild in the forest of Barangay Canlusong at an elevation of more than 1,600 feet above sea level.
The local farmers nurture these coffee trees, and the coffee beans are harvested and packed using sustainable and environment-friendly practices.
Both the blue crabs and the Canlusong coffee have international buyers.
The blue crabs and the Canlusong coffee were the main ingredients in the culinary contest.
Thirteen barangays – that are situated either in the coastal side or in the town proper – participated in the Crab Category, with three participants each, and with crabs as the main ingredient of their two required menus per barangay.
On the other hand, 10 barangays –situated either upland or far from the town proper – joined in the Coffee Category, with two participants each, and with coffee as the main ingredient of the two required food: one hot or cold drink, and one dessert.
The members of the board of judges were Chef Anthony Abad of Vikings Luxury Buffet, Chef Nico Millanes – owner of Gorda Pasteleria Artesania Terrasse, Rudolf Dennis Adecer – former operations manager of the Lampstone Hotel in Sydney, Australia, Ritzar Jeanjaquit – manager of Ciano’s Seafood Grill and Bar, and lifestyle and food vlogger Lexi Casalda, also known on social media as Senyora Lakwatsera.
Executive Assistant Matthew Louis Malacon joined the judges in presenting the awards to the winners.
Here are the winners of the culinary contest:
Coastal barangays – crab category
CHAMPION: Poblacion 2
Menus: Ugyonan Crab Curry and Ugyonan Tempura
Participants: John Russil Bausing, Andrei Lois Soberano, and Mark Lester Villarin
First Runner-Up: Barangay Alicante
Menus: Crab Shala and Crab Samosa
Participants: Joan Borlan, Rosie Joy Reyes, and Christella Polines
Second Runner-Up: Barangay Latasan
Menus: Crab Cake and Crab Rangoon
Participants: Franche Louis Ortequesa, Jules Romero, and Michaela Divinagracia
Upland barangays – coffee category
Chapion: Barangay Cudangdang
Menus: Orange Canlusong Cold Brew Coffee Spritz and
Biscuit Crumb Canlusong Pudding
Participants: Benjansun Beronilla and Jethro Trocio
First Runner-Up: Barangay Alacaygan
Menus: Gateau de Kape and Ala Coffee Mousse Drink
Participants: Melanie Pelayo and Joey Esclabanan
Second Runner-Up: Barangay Consing
Menus: Sea Salt Cream Cold Brew and Coffee Cheese Cake
Participants: Sophia Jemella and Annabelle Jontongco
Consolation prizes:
Crab Category: Madalag, Manta-angan, Pasil, Poblacion 1, Poblacion 3, Tabigue, Tomongtong, and Tuburan
Coffee Category: Canlusong, Damgo, Nanca, San Isidro, and Tanza.
The menu entries were judged according to taste, practicality and up-to-date presentation, correct cooking preparation and techniques, and mise en place and hygiene.*