Highlights From The Ajinomoto® Umami Culinary Challenge 2015

I've been covering this yearly event for the past 2 years. For the third time, it was different this year. It was intended to bring out the best in the culinary schools or universities in a cooking competition. Now, it also gave chance to carinderia operators to join not to compete but to be educated.It also gives information how to make your business earn that won't cost much.

There are 54 schools competing and another challenge was given to the students. It also became an inter-island challenge where the best of the three islands: Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will determine the best of the best the country has to offer.

There are still things that never change. The mouth-watering dishes with different and creative presentations. I also see a friend of mine who teaches in one of the competing schools presented his own umami dish.

I will feature the winning recipes in my next blog post. Just follow this blog to be updated ahead. Also, like the L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Ajinomoto® Umami Culinary Challenge 2015 tomorrow

I have been covering this culinary event. Here are the schedule information for this year's Umami Challenge.

For 6 years now, AJINOMOTO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION (APC) has been organizing the biggest, intercollegiate, multi-category culinary competition that focuses on the delicious potential of umami, the 5th basic taste. 

APC aims to impart the essence of its Food Brand Slogan “Eat Well, Live Well.®” by exposing UCC participants to the practice of Culinary Nutrition or  “cooking with culinary confidence and nutrition alertness”. This advocacy is strongly supported by Culinary, Medical and Nutrition experts, who devote their time to help shape a better and healthier future for aspiring Filipino chefs and the local food service industry.

1.    54 Schools Competing

Thousands of HRM and Nutrition students from NCR, Ilocos region, CALABARZON, Central Luzon and Bicol Region and regional winners from  Visayas and Mindanao (List of Schools provided separately for your reference)

2.    Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao Cooking Showdown

A cook-off featuring the best teams from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for the Categories – Best Filipino Umami Dish and My Own Umami Creation.

3.    Culinary, Medical and Nutrition experts

Industry luminaries and experts providing helpful insights to refine the knowledge and skills of student-competitors. (List of Judges provided separately for your reference)

4.    “Eat Well, Live Well.®” Plate Exhibit

An exhibit by Umami Coaches from faculty members of participating schools that hopes to provide inspiration and practical ways on how to choose, cook and serve nutritious and delicious meals.   

5.    Healthy and Tasty with Umami

A fun and interactive presentation facilitated by Dr. Nemencio Nicodemus, Jr. about what science has to say about umami and Monosodium Glutamate (MSG).

6.    Bida Ka Carinderia Event

A Food Safety Campaign to help Carinderia Owners realize business success by focusing on the safety and health of their customers. 

51 Schools in Luzon join the Ajinomoto® Umami Culinary Challenge

I learned a great deal about umami when I attended last year's umami challenge. I am looking forward to see this again this year.

Online media release

The Ajinomoto® Umami Culinary Challenge (UCC) will once again open its doors to hundreds of young talents and provide them with a venue to learn from the best in the culinary and food service industry. The event will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at the Hall 2, SMX Convention Center in SM Mall of Asia from 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Year after year, the contest successfully grows in size and coverage, gathering the Philippines’ most creative and innovative foodies, culinarians, professional and aspiring chefs.  

According to Chef Russell Bautista, UCC Competition Head and Resident Chef of AJINOMOTO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION, “This one-day event is a golden opportunity for us to witness our future chefs showcase their skills and masterpieces. Ajinomoto hopes to contribute in discovering and maximizing their true potentials.” 51 schools with more than 400 student-competitors signed up for this year’s competition. UCC has expanded its reach in Luzon with participants coming from Ilocos, CALABARZON, NCR and CARAGA regions. Last year, UCC was also brought to Iloilo and Cebu to reach students in Visayas and Mindanao.

There are six (6) contest categories including a national cooking showdown. Hercor College from Capiz earned their chance to compete against the school who will win the Best Filipino Umami Dish-Luzon in the upcoming Manila leg of UCC. On the other hand, the school with the highest score from Luzon will be named the Umami Bowl Champion and bring home a kitchen classroom showcase. Distinguished judges include culinary and nutrition experts like Chef Sau del Rosario, Chef Eugene Raymundo, Chef Seiji Kamura, Chef James Antolin, Dr. Zenaida Narciso and Ms. Joan Sumpio to name a few.

Other event highlights include new and unique culinary competition categories, Eat Well, Live Well.® Cooking Class facilitated by well-known celebrity chefs and Umami and MSG Safety Presentation by Dr. Nemencio Nicodemus. This event is presented by AJINOMOTO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION and sponsored by La Germania, Solane, and Masflex KitchenPro.