Team Philippines Makes Pastry History in France

Manila — After qualifying for the first time, at the finals of the 14th edition of the Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie or the World Pastry Cup in Lyon, France, the Philippines clinched 12th place out of 21 participating countries, beating fellow newcomers Algeria and Guatemala, the Department of Foreign Affairs said.

Team Philippines also beat all 21 teams by winning the best ice showpiece.

Team Philippines is composed of three Manila-based pastry chefs: Rizalino Mañas, Bryan Dimayuga and Vicente Cahatol.

Team Philippines made it at the Asian Pastry Cup in Singapore last April 2014 in order to earn a spot at the finals together with China, South Korea, Tunisia, Switzerland, Denmark, Algeria, Colombia, Taiwan, Morocco, Singapore, Guatemala, Malaysia, United States, United Kingdom, Sweden, Argentina, Japan, Mexico, Italy and Egypt.

For ten gruelling hours, Team Philippines whipped up three chocolate desserts, three frozen fruit desserts, twelve plated desserts, one sugar showpiece, one chocolate showpiece, one ice showpiece and one chocolate carving.

Inspired by Philippine biodiversity and indigenous culture, the chefs showcased the country’s flaura and fauna, such as the Philippine Spotted Deer, the Philippine Sailfin Lizard, a pitcher plant and Aeta hunters.

The chefs also featured Philippine ingredients, such as mangoes, pineapples, coconut cream and Batangas coffee.

Over 40 Filipino supporters showed up at Euexpo Lyon to cheer on Team Philippines. Officials from the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines, led by Chefs Buddy Trinidad and James Antolin, flew all the way from Manila to prepare the team. The Philippine Embassy in Paris, led by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Rapunzel Acop, was also present together with members of the Filipino community in Lyon.

“We have been preparing for this for the past ten years and we made history today,” said Chef James Antolin. “More important than the experience is the exposure the Philippine pastry industry will get. The World Pastry Cup is where the world’s best pastry chefs compete and our being here and finishing a strong 12th on our first try sends a strong signal to the rest of the world, especially Europe, that the Philippines has talent,” Chef James Antolin added.

The World Pastry Cup was established in 1989 and is held every two years in Lyon, France. In this year’s Cup, Italy won first place (gold), followed by Japan (silver) and the United States (bronze). In 2013, France won gold, followed by Japan (silver) and Italy (bronze). Each year’s gold winner is not allowed to compete in the next Cup. (DFA)