VISMIN Schools to Compete in the Ajinomoto Umami Culinary Challenge National Showdown

Two (2) schools from Visayas and two (2) schools from Mindanao were recently cited as representatives for the much-awaited National Cooking Showdown of the Ajinomoto® Umami Culinary Challenge (UCC). Apart from cash prizes and medals, said winning school teams will each get a chance to win more prizes and showcase their masterful culinary skills as Ajinomoto® flies them to Manila for the National Cooking Showdown set in the year 2015. Contenders for the Best Filipino Umami Dish Competition Category are Hercor College from Roxas City and Green Valley College from Koronadal City. Benedicto College from Cebu City and The Holy Cross of Davao will compete for the My Own Umami Creation Competition Category.

The Ajinomoto® UCC is an interschool competition organized by AJINOMOTO PHILIPPINES CORPORATION (APC) that aims to help students realize the delicious potential of umami, the 5^th basic taste. Since UCC was first launched in 2009, the event continues to grow in size and coverage, gathering the most creative and innovative foodies, culinary professionals and aspiring chefs in the Philippines. In the first 2 legs of this nationwide roadshow this year, the event already reached 34 universities and colleges, equivalent to 235 HRM or Nutrition student-competitors from Western and Central Visayas and Northern and Southern Mindanao. More schools from Luzon are expected to join making the Ajinomoto® UCC one of the biggest interschool culinary competitions in the country.

Ajinomoto® endeavors to bring this event to more people as it advocates culinary nutrition embodied in its slogan Ajinomoto® Eat Well, Live Well. The company works with leading technical experts in food, nutrition and medicine to facilitate the Eat Well, Live Well® Cooking Class and Discover Umami lecture to educate people about umami and its role in health and nutrition. Umami, the scientifically recognized and proven 5^th basic taste alongside sweet, sour, bitter and salty, was first identified and isolated by Dr. Kikunae Ikeda of Tokyo Imperial University in 1908.

Benedicto College student team with Umami School Team Coaches Davy Bastasa Stephen Dave Ponce.

Green Valley College student team with Umami School Team Coach Samuel Mors Hilbero.

Hercor College student team with Umami School Team Coaches Gesen Ledesma and Michael Bueneventura.

Holy Cross of Davao College, Inc. student team with Umami School Team Coach Raul Ian Gempensaw.

Rows of umami goodness!

Delicious victory for the winning teams of the Ajinomoto® Umami Culinary Challenge – Visayas.

Competition Director Nancy Reyes-Lumen (middle) together with Ajinomoto® Umami Culinary Challenge – Visayas School Teams

About Ajinomoto 

Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) is an affiliate of Tokyo-based Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Established in 1958, APC lives by its promise to provide consumers products that will always give the delicious taste to healthy and nutritious meals as embodied in APC’s slogan Ajinomoto® “Eat Well, Live Well.®” APC’s complete line of quality food and seasoning products are produced by international affiliates and local toll manufacturers using Ajinomoto’s license, quality standards and technological expertise. APC’s products include AJINO-MOTO® Umami Seasoning, Ajinomoto® Brand Ginisa Flavor Seasoning Mix, Ajinomoto® Brand Chicken Powder, PORKSAVOR™ All-in-One Seasoning Mix, CRISPY FRY® Breading Mix, CRISPY FRY® Seasoned Crumbs, TASTY BOY® All Purpose Breading Mix, AJI-SHIO® Seasoning Mix, Ajinomoto® Brand Sinigang and FRES-C® Concentrated Powdered Drink Mix.

Photo above: The Ajinomoto® Umami Culinary Challenge – Visayas Cooking Arena showcased the culinary prowess of hundreds from 22 competing schools.