City of Dreams Manila Bags 32 Medals at the Philippine Culinary Cup

by Cook Magazine · September 22, 2019

City of Dreams Manila’s chefs who won 32 medals in 13 categories at the Philippine Culinary Cup with Chief Operating Officer Kevin Benning (center, top row).

City of Dreams Manila’s talented chefs victoriously emerged as medalists at the recently concluded Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC), considered as the country’s most prestigious culinary competition. Twenty-six chefs bagged a total of 32 medals in 13 categories during the four-day cooking competition at the World Food Expo held at SMX Convention Center.

“We couldn’t be prouder of our chefs who showcased exemplary talent in a well-respected culinary competition. This recognition is a testament to the immense skills of our culinary team, who also act as the driving force in making City of Dreams Manila a dining destination, as they never fail to create a standout dining experience for our guests,” Kevin Benning, City of Dreams Manila’s Chief Operating Officer shared.

Twenty-three-year-old Rier Franco and 25-year-old Jomari Miranda headlined the list of winners, whose gold medals in the Young Chefs Team Challenge category, will make them compete soon at the 2019 Shanghai International Young Chef Cup to be held at Shanghai New International Expo Centre on November 12 to 14, 2019.

Along with Franco and Miranda, City of Dreams Manila’s other stellar chefs who won gold medals are Javier Honofre, Guk Cho “Peter”, and Drigo Lim in the U.S. Potato, Pasta, and Creative Breakfast categories, respectively.

Silver medalists were Allan Delos Santos, Carol Maximo, Drigo Lim, Jerald Bulaong, Jelord Advincula, Kathleen Magaoay, Rier Franco, Loui Sabino, Darylle Tamago, Mary Grace Gajol, Jeffrey Casauau, Aaron Laroga, and Jemaico Zurbito in six categories: Pasta, U.S. Beef, Dream Team Challenge, Sous Vide, U.S. Beef and Filipino Challenge.

On the other hand, Herbert De Leon, Francis Ivan Tabilog, June Ian Lovino, Trisha Embradura, Nerissa Perez, Yong Iin Chua, Julius Javin, Kevin Raymundo, Maureen Servo, and Elbert Maranan took home bronze medals in seven categories: Filipino Challenge, U.S. Lamb, U.S. Pork Chinese Style Cooking, U.S. Poultry, Dress the Cake, French Touch and Creative Breakfast.

The Philippine Culinary Cup, endorsed by the World Association of Chefs Societies, is an annual culinary competition organized by the LTB Chefs Association of the Philippines, the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines, and PEPTarsus Corp. to provide Filipino chefs an internationally recognized platform to showcase their talents and hone their skills. About 1, 200 chefs competed in the 2019 competition.

For inquiries, call 800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com or visit www.cityofdreamsmanila.com.