QCNA 8: Kulinarya, Turismo, Talento, At Iba Pa celebrated its two-day festivities last November 25 and 26 at the Central Plaza, Eastwood City, Libis. Running on its 8th year, QCNA pivoted on culinary excellence, cultural sensibility and awareness on regional cuisines, and breakthroughs in tourism. It held a number of cooking competitions, a Tourism and Lifestyle Fashion Show, and a Gala Night to recognize eight notable men and women of substance and outstanding contribution to the culinary and tourism industry.
QCNA 8 brought a festive gathering of food enterprises, travel and tour agencies, culinary schools, and hotel establishments in its trade fair at the Central Plaza. It also conducted cooking competitions such as Noche Buena Handa ng Pamilya, Mixed Grilled BBQ, Sauces & Garnishing Competition, Deconstructed Christmas Frittata, and the QCNA Bartending Competition. With enthusiasm and determination, the contenders competed for their rank applying methods and techniques acquired in their respective schools. A number of amateur and professional culinary practitioners also joined to compete with fellow practitioners.
Bagging the third place for the Noche Buena Handasa Pamilya is a team of two from Far Eastern University, Paulo Bocaños & Ma. Ardine Caila Angeles. Second placer were students from National Business of College and Arts Fairview, Mariela Soriano & Vanessa Jane Angala, while the First Place was won by Hearty Anne Irigon &Larren Ysabel Samson from St. Scholastica’s College Manila with their dish, Pollo A La Paella Filipina.
The Mixed Grilled BBQ, Sauces & Garnishing Competition third placers were Jorell Noriega and Niki Ray Bantug of St. Paul University, QC, while Chiang Kai Shek College team – Harris So & Pete Yang landed second place. Meriting the highest points, National College of Business and the Arts students John Carlo Dela Torre & Dino Bulidoy acquired the First Place with their presentation of Grilled Chicken and Pork with Trio of Sauces and Grilled Vegetable Salad.
Jeane A. Cruz, a homemaker from Caloocan City won the third place for Deconstructed Christmas Frittata, while Kirk Ibardolaza, a faculty member from Olivarez College swept the second place. Gaining the first place is Michael Cabrera with his TamagoFrittatido.
With very high spirits, QCNA Bartending competitor Dominique Palileo scored the third place, RaymarkLinatoc bagged the second place, while Eliel Tejones merited the highest points with his special concoction, Tom Holidays Punch.
Last November 25, the QCNA Gala Night gathered a number of food writers, business owners, hoteliers, and culinary enthusiasts to be recognized in their exemplary efforts to promote food and tourism in their respective spheres of influence. It was attended by Ms. Irene Belmonte, Council of District 4, Quezon City, Ms. Divine Pascua, the Officer-in-Charge in the Quezon City Tourism Department, the Quezon City Tourism Council Board of Directors, Mr. Raffy Chico (Founding Chairman), Ms. Teresa Arroyo-Tirona (Current Chairperson),Ms. ZetteZette Papa (Vice Chairperson), and Ms. Twinkle Valdez (Director for Media Relations), a number of food writers, entrepreneurs, and culinary professionals.
Among the Tourism Movers and Shakers awardees are Chef Gene Gonzalez, culinary artist and owner of Café Ysabel; Chef Myke “Tatung”Sarthou, an author and a cultural advocate; Ms. Cora Alvina, author and the director of the Museo ng KaalamangKatutubo; Ms. Nora Daza, a national culinary icon, represented by Ms. Nina Daza-Puyat, Editor-in-Chief of Appetite Magazine; Novotel Hotel Manila Araneta Center represented by Ms. Maria Garcia, Resident Manager; and La Loma Lechoneros Association represented by Ms. Fatima Fox of La Loma. Also given recognitions are city officials Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte for her unfaltering efforts to promote Quezon City with her office’s provision of livelihood projects, skills training opportunities, programs and promotions for the city like the Joy of Urban Farming, QC Film Festival, and Quezon City Performing Arts; and Mayor Herbert M. Bautista for his strong initiative to implement a Green Building Ordinance enforcing sustainable building designs throughout Quezon City, and staunch support to cultural events in the city like QCNA.
