April 27, 2024

Mayor Marvin Malacon (3rd from left) and Executive Assistant Matthew Louis Malacon (2nd from right), with the judges of the 1st Saravia Culinary Contest, as part of the 35th Ugyonan Festival

The 1st Saravia Culinary Contest held Saturday at the Public Plaza showcased two of the famous products of the Municipality of E. B. Magalona, and highlighted their culinary versatility.

The culinary contest, held as part of the activities for the ongoing 35th Ugyonan Festival, the main fiesta of E. B. Magalona, showcased the town’s blue crabs and the Canlusong coffee. (Saravia is the former name of E. B. Magalona).

Mayor Marvin Malacon said the Municipality of E. B. Magalona is very proud to show to the world the many interesting cuisines that can be made using blue crabs, and drinks and desserts using Canlusong coffee—and what better venue to highlight these than through a culinary contest during Ugyonan Festival.

Blue-swimming crabs are abundant in the waters off E. B. Magalona hence the town has earned the tourism tagline, “The Blue Crab Capital of Negros Occidental.”

Meanwhile, Canlusong organic coffee, with four varieties— robusta, excelsa, arabica, and liberica—comes from the beans of coffee trees growing wild in the forest of Barangay Canlusong at an elevation of more than 1,600 feet above sea level.

The local farmers nurture these coffee trees, and the coffee beans are harvested and packed using sustainable and environment-friendly practices.

Both the blue crabs and the Canlusong coffee have international buyers.

The blue crabs and the Canlusong coffee were the main ingredients in the culinary contest.

Thirteen barangays – that are situated either in the coastal side or in the town proper – participated in the Crab Category, with three participants each, and with crabs as the main ingredient of their two required menus per barangay.

On the other hand, 10 barangays –situated either upland or far from the town proper – joined in the Coffee Category, with two participants each, and with coffee as the main ingredient of the two required food: one hot or cold drink, and one dessert.

The board of judges was composed of Chef Anthony Abad of Vikings Luxury Buffet; Chef Nico Millanes, owner of Gorda Pasteleria Artesania Terrasse; Rudolf Dennis Adecer, former operations manager of the Lampstone Hotel in Sydney, Australia; Ritzar Jeanjaquit, manager of Ciano’s Seafood Grill and Bar; and lifestyle and food vlogger Lexi Casalda, also known on social media as Senyora Lakwatsera.

Executive Assistant Matthew Louis Malacon joined the judges in presenting the awards to the winners.

Here are the WINNERS of the Culinary Contest:

COASTAL BARANGAYS – CRAB CATEGORY

CHAMPION: Poblacion 2
Menus: Ugyonan Crab Curry & Ugyonan Tempura
Participants: John Russil Bausing, Andrei Lois Soberano, and Mark Lester Villarin

First Runner-Up: Barangay Alicante
Menus: Crab Shala & Crab Samosa
Participants: Joan Borlan, Rosie Joy Reyes, and Christella Polines

Second Runner-Up: Barangay Latasan
Menus: Crab Cake & Crab Rangoon
Participants: Franche Louis Ortequesa, Jules Romero, and Michaela Divinagracia

UPLAND BARANGAYS – COFFEE CATEGORY

CHAMPION: Barangay Cudangdang
Menus: Orange Canlusong Cold Brew Coffee Spritz & Biscuit Crumb Canlusong Pudding
Participants: Benjansun Beronilla and Jethro Trocio

First Runner-Up: Barangay Alacaygan
Menus: Gateau de Kape & Ala Coffee Mousse Drink
Participants: Melanie Pelayo and Joey Esclabanan

Second Runner-Up: Barangay Consing
Menus: Sea Salt Cream Cold Brew & Coffee Cheese Cake
Participants: Sophia Jemella and Annabelle Jontongco

CONSOLATION PRIZES:

Crab Category: Madalag, Manta-angan, Pasil, Poblacion 1, Poblacion 3, Tabigue, Tomongtong, and Tuburan
Coffee Category: Canlusong, Damgo, Nanca, San Isidro, and Tanza

The menu entries were judged according to taste, practicality and up-to-date presentation, correct cooking preparation and techniques, and mise en place and hygiene.

Also gracing the contest were Municipal Tourism Officer- Designate Ma. Teresa Alvarez, Acting Municipal Budget Officer Debbie Ann Dioneo- Monte, Human Resources Management Office head Isabel Armila Patrata, Mayor’s Private Secretary Joel Antonio, Consultant Engr. Jessil Plaza- Casilagan, several punong barangays, and DepEd teachers and students. *

-E. B. MAGALONA PIO