One of the country's most prestigious annual culinary competitions culminates with a lavish dinner to celebrate a young chef's journey to the global stage...
Now on its ninth year, the 2019 Young Talents Escoffier competition continues the culinary legacy of Auguste Escoffier. That evening, the torch has been passed to a new generation of young chefs selected to lead the movement for the continuous evolution of cuisine, with one chosen to represent the country for the Asia Finals in Hong Kong.
The transfer of knowledge, respect for culture and tradition, the constant evolution of cuisine and the equality of disciples form the foundation of Disciples Escoffier, key advocacies shared by prominent leaders in the local food and beverage industry. It's a vision that's brought to life each year with the Young Talents Escoffier competition showcasing talented young chefs.
And this year's Class of 2019 Young Talents Escoffier is a stellar cast comprised of the very best from the finest institutions. For the six finalists, the awards night was a welcome break from the stress of the competition, and a good time to catch up with each other over some wine and a sumptuous dinner (for a sneak peak inside the kitchen during the competition, see my earlier post, A Few Good Men (And Women): A Gathering of the Country's Top Culinary Icons and Rising Stars at the 2019 Young Talents Escoffier Competition).
Held at Lemuria Restaurant and Wine Bar at the elegantly designed Arya Plaza, it was fitting venue for a gathering of Manila's leading food & beverage luminaries (for more on Lemuria Restaurant and Wine Bar and other fine dining establishments at Arya Plaza, see my post, The Secret's Out: Take Five at Arya Plaza For The Best Al Fresco Dining in BGC). Guests spotted at the awards dinner included one of the country's pioneering families in culinary education led by President and CEO Badjie Guerrero-Trinidad of The Cravings Group with daughters Bea and Pia Trinidad.
Disciples Escoffier International Asia President Sau del Rosario welcomed guests for the much awaited 2019 Young Talents Escoffier dinner, including trade partners Niguel Angelo Arevalo and Angelene Tengco of Meliomar Sustainable Seafood Solutions (for more on Meliomar and its advocacy on sustainable seafood, check out my previous posts, Sustainable Seafood and a Sunset at the Seawall Garden, The Freshest Catch for the Third Straight Year at the Sustainable Seafood Launch, and Sustainable, Traceable, Fresh and Right at the 2nd Sustainable Seafood Week Launch)...
...Ducasse Institute Philippines Executive Chef Marc Chalopin and Cyrille Soenen, Director of Culinary Arts Maitres Cuisiniers de France, Dusit Hospitality Management College D2 The Fort Manila(more on my old friend Cyrille Soenen on my posts, Food News: Chef Cyrille Soenen Honored as Master Chef, No Goodbyes. Just 'Till We Meet Again at Brasserie Cicou and Rediscovering Layers of Indulgence with Chef Cyrille Soenen's Classic Kouign Amman)...
...David Pardo de Ayala, General Manager of Discovery Primea (for more Discovery Primea, see my earlier posts, Igniting The next Culinary Standard at Discovery Primea's Flame Restaurant, A Bite and a Tipple at Discovery Primea and Firing Up New Dishes at Discovery Primea's Flame Restaurant), Bernard and Jorinda Flour of Le Cellier Quality Store Corporation (more on Bernard Flour on my previous post, Uncorking The Secret of Wine with Manila Wine and Brasserie Cicou) and Johnny Khonghun, Chairman and President of Salinas Corporation, makers of fine quality sea salt.
That evening, certificates of appreciation were also given to valued trade partners with a shared advocacy consistent with the vision and mission of Disciples Escoffier International Asia. Partners who attended the 2019 Young Talents Escoffier awards dinner included Javier Gamboa, Director of La Penica Corporation, importers of fine Spanish gourmet products such as Hida...
...and Country Manager for Lactalis International, Edouard de Saizieu, whose premium French products like President French Butter, President Creme Superieure Whipping Cream and Lactel Milk were used during the competition. Then, it was time for dinner. Just what do you serve the country's finest chefs?
Our feast at Lemuria Restaurant and Wine Bar began with a refreshing Pan-Seared Scallops, Uni and Caviar Micro Salad with Honey Lemon Vinaigrette with its vibrant briny notes...
...followed by a rustic French Onion Soup with Thyme and Gruyere Croutons with its deep and soothing flavors capped by the indulgent richness of gruyere.
A beautifully plated Baked Barramundi with Roasted Root Vegetables, Pea Puree and Orange Tarragon Beurre Blanc was then served. The delicate flavors of the baked barramundi is complemented by the creamy beurre blanc infused with the zesty hints of orange and herbal notes of tarragon for a complex yet balanced finish.
A hearty and homey Beef Bourguignon with Haricot Verts and Potato Mousse provided that savory punch for the evening with fork-tender beef, fresh and crisp French beans and velvety smooth potatoes. The contemporary European culinary style of Lemuria Restaurant and Wine Bar comes through with each dish...
...culminating with a decadent dessert, White Chocolate Mousse with Orange Gel, Almond Dacquoise and Chocolate Ganache.
Lemuria Restaurant and Wine Bar's young Executive Chef, Katrina Torres and her team (L) receive a round of applause from the guests for the lavish dinner. But it was time for the announcement of winners as Disciples Escoffier's Sau del Rosario, Cyrille Soenen and Eiffelene Salvador Howard (R) opened the envelopes...
...with Russel Dane Pio bagging third place. Currently a chef at Resorts World Manila, young chef Russel Dane Pio is ready to embark on the next phase of a promising culinary career...
...mentored by some of the country's finest professionals in the industry.
The award for second place goes to Ria Garcia...
...who served the best Pommes Anna with the Sole Mornay in the competition. It's a promising start for another talented young chef at the 2019 Young Talents Escoffier competition.
The announcement of the first place winner is followed by a loving hug from family...
...as Don Patrick Baldosano is chosen to represent the country in the Young Talents Escoffier Asia Finals for his near flawless execution of the French classic, Sole Mornay draped in an elegant Mornay sauce with Pommes Anna.
Sau del Rosario, Cyrille Soenen and Bernard Flour, Managing Director of Le Cellier Quality Store Corporation, congratulate this year's Young Talents Escoffier winner...
...followed by a reading of the Disciples Escoffier oath...
...and the ceremonial tap by Disciples Escoffier International Asia Founding Chairman Philip Golding.
Disciples of Escoffier President Sau del Rosario completes the awarding ceremony with the bright-colored sash...
...to welcome a new generation to the brotherhood of Disciples Escoffier.
Flanked by his family and his second family from Enderun Colleges, Don Patrick Baldosano knows that this is just the beginning. Next stop, Hong Kong for the Young Talents Escoffier Asia Finals.
It's inspiring to see the next generation picking up the cudgels on a mission set by Auguste Escoffier...
...keeping the King of Chefs and Chef of Kings' passion and spirit alive and well. In a culinary scene often dominated by trends, these young chefs pursue their craft with an uncompromising mastery of the fundamentals just the way Auguste Escoffier believed it should be.
To Don Patrick, Ria, Russel, Liz, Jodana and Joel, the whole country eagerly awaits your next culinary adventures. We are ready and waiting to be amazed.
With the exuberance of youth, the blazing torch of Auguste Escoffier is now in good hands. To the esteemed Class of 2019 Young Talents Escoffier, bravo!
And yes, you'll be hearing a whole lot more from these talented young chefs...
...so, stay tuned. In the meantime, this moment belongs to all six talented young chefs. I will raise yet another glass for a toast to these extraordinary individuals, grateful to be a part of their promising culinary adventures yet to come. Sante!
For more on the 2019 Young Talents Escoffier competition, visit their FB Pages at https://www.facebook.com/youngtalentescoffier/ and https://www.facebook.com/pg/EscoffierPH.
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