Innovative dishes made of purple yam (ube) from the municipalities of Maddela, Cabarroguis, and Saguday were hailed champions in the professional, amateur, and student category during the First UBELICIOUS Culinary Competition, held on September 8, 2024 at the Provincial Gymnasium, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis.
Spearheaded by the Provincial Government of Quirino under the leadership of Hon. Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua, the event became one of the highlight activities of this year’s Panagdadapun Festival.
Held in collaboration with Quirino State University (QSU) led by President Hermenegildo F. Samoy,Jr. and the Provincial Tourism Office, the competition convened culinary talents from across the six municipalities to showcase a variety of creative dishes that feature ube, aligning with Quirino Province’s advocacy for promoting local flavors and strengthening gastronomic tourism.
“This competition not only celebrates our culinary traditions but also elevates Quirino Province as a gastronomic destination,” Hon. Junie E. Cua, the former governor said. “We aim to continue promoting our local flavors to the world, ” he added.
Using ube, a local agricultural product, participants demonstrated their creativity and skill in transforming the humble root crop into gourmet dishes. The professional category champion team from Maddela served the judges with Ube Island Dream, Ube-crusted Salmon with Coconut Ube Risotto, and Beurre Blanc, Ube Tiramisu.
Meanwhile, the amateur division winning team from Cabarroguis impressed the judges with their Ubekoy, Ube de Leche, and Sinigang with Ube. Student champions from Saguday prepared Ube Macapuno Roll, Ube Dumplings with Ube Cream Soup, and Ube Chicken Roulade.
Dr. Jonathan N. Tariga, the competition chair, worked closely with faculty members from the Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM), Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BSTM) programs, and the QSU Information Office. Teaming up with the Board of Judges, consisting of Chef Gypsy Michael D. Ingaran, Chef Eliazar E. Escalana, and Mr. Bernard L. Supetran, their expertise and collaboration ensured the event’s success.
Extending their full support in the conduct of the event, Vice Governor Julius Ceasar Vaquilar, Provincial Administrator Carmelita Jimenez, Mr. Elmor Villaruel, Hon. Mary Ann Cua, Ms. Aurea Martinez, and Mr. Junie Isagani Noel Cua graced the activity and awarded the winning teams.
𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬:
✨𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲
✴️Champion: Maddela
✴️2nd Place: Aglipay
✴️3rd Place: Diffun
✨𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲
✴️Champion: Cabarroguis
✴️2nd Place: Nagtipunan
✴️3rd Place: Aglipay
✨𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐨𝐫𝐲
✴️Champion: Saguday
✴️2nd Place: Nagtipunan
✴️3rd Place: Cabarroguis
The Culinary Competition is seen to become an annual tradition, further enhancing the province’s tourism offerings and inspiring local chefs and culinary students to innovate using Quirino’s local ingredients.
|Article by Dr. Jonathan Tariga and QIO
