Sabor Victorias Cook-off at the Kalamayan Festival

“Kalamay” means sugar in our local language. Victorias City is home to the famous Victorias Milling Company (VMC), which has been producing sugar since 1919. It is, thus, no surprise why Victorias City has started with its Kalamayan Festival last year. Every Kalamayan Festival, the city government of Victorias, along with VMC and its sister company, Victorias Foods, holds a Sabor Victorias Cook-Off.

This event is open to all residents of Victorias City and the competition must use Victorias products as ingredients in their recipe entries. Apart from sugar, VMC, through its sister company, Victorias Foods, is also manufacturing canned goods and meat products. The Elimination Round was held last December 14, 2015.  The distinguished judges were Chef Joeri Arro, Chef Mari Stelle Estrella and Chef Stone Ang.

This year, five talented residents of Victorias City — Anita Singuay, Annie Ibardolaza, Jade Peñaflorida, Annabelle Pedrola, and Sheila Mae Hernaez — made it into the Finals Round of the Sabor Victorias Cook-Off 2015 and vied for the championship. The judges for the Final Round were Chef Nico Millanes, Chef Kokoy Evaristo and Chief Judge is Anton Abad, the Corporate Executive Chef of Vikings Luxury Buffet in Bacolod City.

Held at the Victorias Public Plaza and with 60 minutes of time allotted, Anita prepared her Stuffed Cucumber, Sheila Mae cooked her Bacon Kakaige Tempura with Black & White Sauce, Jade whipped his Salmon with Victorias Ham and Bacon Crust and Creamy Dill Sauce, Annie created her Malunggay VMC Pork Tocino sa Buko, while Annabelle cook deep fried her Victorias Spanish Rolls.

In the end, it was Annie who made the homerun with her delectable Malunggay VMC Pork Tocino sa home runhe received her P15,000 Grand Prize from Victorias Mayor Francis Frederick ‘Wantan’ Palanca, VMC CFO Ms. Tess Ilagan & VMC Pres & CEO Mr. Eduardo V. Concepcion.