Master Chefs 2013 Barangay Cooking Challenge Final Cook Off : When Cooks Become Master Chefs

Wazzup Pilipinas!

I think I was the only blogger who accepted the invitation of the SM Hypermarket Cubao - Master Chefs 2013 Barangay Cooking Challenge Final Cook Offs. There were plenty of us during the initial media launch of the competition but I was all alone during the grand finale.

I was at the Cubao branch to witness the branch's 8 finalists take on the challenge as these finalists from the different barangays in the area display their knowledge in and outside the kitchen.

The competition was done in two batches as 4 challengers face each other per batch and three chefs judging their final dish for the day. Acting as judges were Chef Hasset Go, Chef Enrico Magtanong and Chef Paolo Sia.

Individuals from the barangay, assisted by one SM Hypermarket Customer Assistants each, bought ingredients from the grocery that must not exceed an amount of Php 500 to match with a recipe for a dish that must include broccoli and CDO Ulam Burger. They have to complete the dish within one (1) hour only.

I was impressed that a challenger was able to prepare three dishes, and that the three chefs seemed to be impressed.

Chef Brandy Agbalog 

Chef Alma Parcon

Chef Joseph Almario

Chef George Ibanez

I was only able to stay for the first part of the Final Cook-off where 4 challengers battled it out. I had to go earlier because it was already nearing night time and I think the event will last for another two hours since the cook off was 1 hour per batch, plus considering the awarding and so on.

The dishes from the first four challengers

Three dishes - Burger Empanada, Burger Steak with Mustard and Burger with Broccoli from Chef George 

Burger Pinata with Tomato Salsa dish from Chef Alma

Burger Steak with Creamy Brandy Sauce from Chef Brandy

Burger with Egg from Chef Joseph

Below is the official press release pertaining to the final cook off:

Thirty seven Master Chefs eliminations at 37 different SM Hypermarkets determined each branch’s 10
contestants who will partake in the final cook-offs. In a span of almost two months, SM Hypermarkets bore witness to the culinary talents within every barangay; their skills in the kitchen as well as their passion to entertain. There were magicians, dancers, singers and more who dazzled everyone from the eyes, the ears, down to their taste buds. And now that each SM Hypermarket has chosen 10 individuals, the time to determine this year’s master chefs has finally arrived.

Master Chefs 2013 pays tribute to the culinary prowess of the barangay by highlighting the everyday excellence displayed by cooks working in carinderias, canteens, food stalls, and kitchens at home; the great unsung Master Chefs who continue to work hard every day creating delightful dishes filling up and satisfying the rumbling stomachs of their customers.

Last September marked the start of Master Chefs 2013 Barangay Cooking Challenge; a showcase of food expertise as well as remarkable hidden talents of some of the barangay’s greatest cooks. It’s a fierce competition of gastronomic proportions as every contestant’s creation is a masterpiece on its own. The contenders must also prove how much of an idol they are through a talent portion. Energy fills the stage as the contestants sing, dance, and display talents people could never have thought cooks have.

The Master Chefs Barangay Cooking Challenge have gone to 37 SM Hypermarket branches namely, Rosales, North EDSA, Mall of Asia, Las Pinas, Cebu, Clark, Novaliches, Sucat, Antipolo, Jcentre, Pampanga, Pasig, Imus, Baliwag, Eton, Bicutan, Batangas, Marilao, Cubao, Muntinlupa, Valenzuela, Fairview, Lopez, Laoag, Makati, Molino, Alabang Zapote Road, Iloilo, Monumento, Mandaluyong, Taytay, East Service Road, and Marketmall Dasma for the elimination rounds where the top 10 cooks of each branch will square off in the final cook-offs to determine who, in their barangay, is the true barangay cooking idol.

In the final cook-offs, the contestants will be given a fixed budget and a time limit to whip up something incredible. They have complete cooking freedom except for the main ingredient and a mystery item to be unveiled on the day of the cook-off. It’s bound to be a culinary showcase like no other as the contestants will not only give everything they’ve got in the kitchen but also on stage. In the end, the top three would be named and the Barangay’s Master Chef will be recognized.

It truly is a cooking contest like no other as Master Chefs 2013 gives due recognition to the Filipino’s ingenuity when it comes to recipes, skill when it comes to cooking, and talent that defines what being a Barangay Cooking Idol is all about.