MAKATI SHANGRI-LA WINS 2010 MLA BLACK BOX CULINARY CHALLENGE
The Makati Shangri-la led by Chef Boy Timola topped the challenge emerging as the Philippine Champion. Lolo Dads Café booked in as 1st runner up while newcomer Marriot was judged 2nd runner up.
Malacanang Chefs was voted as having prepared the Best Appetizer Lolo Dads went away with Best in Soup while Macro Asia Catering won the Best in Main Course. Makati Shangri-la pocketed Best in Table Display and Best in Dessert.
Judging was led by LTB President Othmar Frei and MLA's Chef Alan Palmer with other WACS accredited chefs.
Meat and Livestock Australia’s Black Box Culinary Challenge has once again come back to Manila – challenging young professional chefs to display their skills and talents in a hands on catering situation.
This ultimate culinary challenge was held at The Rockwell Tent Makati City and endorsed by World Association of Chef Societies (WACS) and Les Toques Blanches Philippines. The concept was developed in 1996 with the aim of demonstrating the quality and versatility of Australian red meat and other high quality food ingredients to the international food service sector. Over 80 contests have been organized in 22 countries to date in what has become a truly global challenge.
This year’s Manila event attracted 11 chef team participants from:
1. Centro Escolar University
2. College of the Holy Spirit
3. Endurun College
4. Lolo Dads Café
5. Macro Asia Catering
6. Makati Shangri-la
7. Malacanang Chefs
8. Manila Pavillon Hotel and Casino
9. Marriot Hotel Manila
10. Ninyo Fusion Cuisine
11. Purple FeetThe event’s popularity is largely due to the mysterious black box. Young chefs from the 11 establishments, led by a team manager have one hour to design a four-course menu using previously unseen ingredients from a “Black Box”. Twenty-four hours later the teams return to prepare their meals for the judges and guests at the gala dinner.
After submitting the 4 course menu within one hour the teams took the black box away and prepared their menu entries for the competition judging. This was subsequently served to 220 guests including the Australian Ambassador Rod Smith other VIPs, trade, chefs and key media personalities.
Aaron Iori Regional Manager, South East Asia and Greater Chinas for MLA said: “The MLA Black Box is designed to give young chefs the opportunity to compete at a level that is unparrelled, and this gives teams the opportunity to showcase their creativity and innovation on how to handle Australian red meat"
