Apple Tree Resort and Hotel: Over-All Winner for the Kusina Kulinarya Professional Division Culinary Challenge

Now on its 23^rd Edition of bringing culinary show and live competition experience, the COHARA (Cagayan de Oro Hotels and Restaurants Association, Inc.) celebrated the country’s longest running culinary competition and Mindanao’s largest culinary show competition- KUMBIRA Masters last August 14-16, 2019 at the Atrium, Limketkai Center with this year’s theme: “The Food Baskets of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Philippines (BIMP) aiming to introducing the wide array of amazing dishes In the east, as well as promoting the flavors and regional recipes of Mindanao cuisine.

For this year’s competition, Apple Tree Resort and Hotel, the leading Resort Hotel in Misamis Oriental was announced as the over-all winner for the Klasika Kulinarya under the Culinary Challenge for Professional Division. The Klasika Kulinarya is a live-competition with a team of 3 participants each and competes for the 3 dishes challenge of traditional and modern serving dishes specifically bam-I, Kinilaw, and Binignit with an application of Indigenous ingredients in local recipes for traditional dish. The three employees namely Carl David Pelpinosas, Sarah Jamisola, and Jonard Villasan showcased their entries over the 7 other teams competitively during the live competition while demonstrating their exceptional culinary skills throughout the event.

Leading the Food and Beverage Department of the Resort Mr Rey Vitor, together with Ms Odessa Bahian, the Department’s Supervisor watchfully handed the team and guided them to the competition who participated the 3 competitions that includes two out of six culinary skills competition under Professional Division such as the Mango Mania under Pastry and Desserts (Plated Desserts), Bamboo Floral Centerpiece, and the Klasika Kulinarya.

“For this year’s Kumbira, we had a little time preparing our team to join the competition from reading the guidelines and choosing the entries. We had to draft, construct and research before producing if not remarkable, a competitive entry, and the pressure is inevitable.” Ms Odessa Bahian said. “Once entries were selected, we carefully rehearsed, go through, and repeatedly implement and observed the methods in order to improve the process.” - she added.

The Apple Tree Team bagged the following awards:

* OVER-ALL WINNER- Klasika Kulinarya (Culinary Challenge: Professional Division)

   - Carl David Pelpinosas, Sarah Jamisola, and Jonard Villasan

* GOLD- Bamboo Floral Centerpiece Live

   - Steve Norman Ebonia, and Ms Maria Rhodora Navarro

* DIPLOMA- Mango Mania Display: Plated Dessert (Pastry and Desserts)

   - Mary Ann Rose Ni, and Mary Joy Rosario

“Kumbira has always been an event that we’ve always been looked forward to however we only competed for three entries this year.” Mr Rey Vitor said. “Although the chance of winning is somehow slim due to unforeseen circumstances, the team is still hopeful on bringing home the gold. And we never expected to be announced as the winners for the two categories. The experiences are fulfilling, and the efforts were rewarded.” He added.

“Uplifting the excellence of taste and presentation during the event are our utmost commitment for this culinary experience.” Ms Bjanesha M. Emphasis the Resort’s Manager said. “And we couldn’t achieve that without the dedication, and commitment of the whole team. We are very much grateful and humbled with our achievements and we are looking forward for the years to come.” She added.

TOUCHDOWN:
Apple Tree Resort and Hotel, the premier Resort Hotel in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro City is a three-star Resort Hotel conveniently located at Zone 2, Taboc, Opol, Misamis Oriental and offers 36 guest rooms, 3 suites, 2 swimming pools for kids and adults, a restaurant, and function areas both outdoor and indoor for any events celebration with the perfect view of the Macajalar Bay, and the Camiguin Island. It is 20 minutes away from Laguindingan Airport and 15-20 minutes away from Cagayan de Oro City.