Master Chefs 2013: From Barangay Cooking Idols to Talented Master Chefs

Chef Hasset Go - Master Chefs 2013 Ambassador 

Master Chefs 2013 Barangay Cooking Challenge’s launch last September 5, 2013 marked the start of cooking competitions to be held in all 37 SM Hypermarkets nationwide.

Pinoys appreciate a wide variety of cuisines. Though they are loyal to local cooking, they are still open to new and different flavors. Just take a look at traditional Filipino cuisine and the vastness of the menu proves it. The long list of delicious food is a product of Pinoy creativity and ingenuity when it comes to food. 

Firecracker Beef  by Chef Paulo Sia

They continuously modify and incorporate new techniques and recipes to further enrich traditional Filipino cooking. It just shows that Filipinos definitely know what they want to eat.

Chef Kris Alcedo

In this Master Chefs event held at SM Hypermart Cubao, Quezon City, Chef Kris Alcedo prepared Chicken Nuggets Cheezee and Barbecue Rumaki.

Chicken Nuggets Chezee and Barbecue Rumaki by Chef Kris Alcedo

Great Filipino cooking is not just found in restaurants and hotels but also in residences, carinderias, and eateries where people regularly eat.

On its 7^th year, Master Chefs pays tribute to the culinary prowess of the barangay, Master Chefs highlights the everyday excellence displayed by carinderias, canteens, food stalls, and home kitchens in making exquisite dishes. These places produce exactly what Pinoys crave for simply because these cooks desire to eat the same masterpieces they create.

And because they have truly captured Filipino taste, the barangay chefs are this year’s focus.

I was invited by friend Jonel Uy to witness Master Chefs 2013 Barangay Cooking Challenge’s launch last Saturday September 5, 2013 that marked the start of cooking competitions in all 37 SM Hypermarkets nationwide. The Barangay Cooking Idol introduces something new. It is a competition open not only to anyone who cook well, they should have other talents too. Those who aspire to become Master Chefs must incorporate a routine that wows the crowd. They could sing, dance, act, anything amazing is welcome. At the end of it all, Master Chefs 2013 will introduce a new breed of super chefs that are not only exemplary cooks but also talented individuals.

Master Chefs 2013 will also reinvent the Pinoy’s all-time favorites; adobo, sinigang, pochero, kare-kare, chopsuey, Caldereta, menudo, pinakbet, and in the process, discover new ways of cooking the Master Brands.

Master Chefs will creatively put new twists in the food products people have learned to enjoy like Nestle All-Purpose Cream, Maggi Magic Sarap and Maggi Savor, CDO Funtastyk, Idol Cheesedog, Bibbo Hotdog, and Ulamburger, Bounty Fresh Gourmet Chicken and Nuggets, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, Stuffed Nuggets and Chicken Drummets, and Unilever Knorr Soups and ready mixes.

Chef Paulo Sia

Master Chefs 2013 was launched at SM Hypermarket Cubao and was hosted by none other than Papa Dan of 97.1 Barangay LS and Monica Verallo of Unang Hirit. The Master brands and their reputable chefs Chef Paolo Sia, Chef Kris Alcedo, and, Master Chefs 2013 ambassador, Chef Hasset Go were there and showed more exciting ways of mixing up their signature products.

And for a little more flavour for the crowd, games with cool prizes were played by the audience. Of course, the event would not be complete without great tasting food.

It was truly a culinary event highlighting the barangay’s cooking talents; a food fest no Filipino can ever say no to.