Les Toques Blanches Philippines Culinary Team reaps medals in FHA Culinary Challenge 2008 Singapore

Great Food Solutions, one of the country’s premiere food solutions providers, and a proud team sponsor, congratulates the Les Toques Blanches Philippines Culinary Team for garnering 13 medals from the Food and Hotel Asia (FHA) Culinary Challenge 2008 held at the Singapore Expo last April 22 to 25. The FHA Culinary Challenge is one of Asia’s most respected culinary competitions, held bi-annually and drawing competitors not only from Asia, but also from the US, Europe and Australia.

Our Les Toques Blanches Philippines Culinary Team, headed by Team Captain Ariel Manuel of Lolodad’s Café won 13 medals in 14 competitions (1 Gold, 6 Silver, 6 Bronze).

Team Philippines was composed of Virgilio Timola and Anatolio Bleza of Makati Shangri-La Hotel, Arnold Guevarra of Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Amador Mendoza of Manila Pavilion Hotel, and Reno dela Victoria of Waterfront Hotel Cebu. Plus apprentices Marge Villena of Lolo Dad’s Café, Andy Tabotabo of CCA Manila, Janet Lazaga and Ryan Otmana of Malacanang Palace, with team captain Ariel Manuel of Lolo Dad’s Café at the helm. Managing the team is J. Gamboa of Cirkulo and Milky Way Restaurants with Fernando Aracama of Embassy Cuisine and PR & Events Consultant Nana Nadal.

The team brought home the following accolades from their trip:

Ariel Manuel - Team Captain, Lolodad’s Cafe
Plated Appetizer	Bronze Medal
Plated Dish	Silver Medal
Live Cooking - New Asia Cuisine	Silver Medal

Marge Villena, Apprentice, Lolodad’s Cafe Andy Tabotabo, Apprentice, CCA, Manila
Team Live Cooking - Two To Tango	Bronze Medal

Arnold Guevarra, Sous Chef, Tivoli Grill, Mandarin Oriental Hotel
Live Cooking – Neptune’s Catch	Gold Medal
Plated Dish	Silver Medal
Plated Appetizer	Bronze Medal

Boy Timola, Sous Chef, Makati Shangri-la Hotel
Plated Appetizer	Silver Medal
Plated Dish	Silver Medal
Live Cooking – Field & Forest	Bronze Medal

Tony Bleza, Demi-Chef, Makati Shangri-la Hotel
Ethnic Asian Display	Bronze Medal
Live Cooking -Asian Family Meal	Silver Medal

Ador Mendoza - Assistant Pastry Chef, Manila Pavilion Hotel
Pastry Showpiece	Bronze Medal

Likewise, the team participated in the Valhrona Asian Pastry Cup, represented by James Antolin of CCA Manila, Buddy Trinidad of Park Avenue Desserts and Pauline Diaz-Lagdameo of ISCAHM.

Les Toques Blanches Philippines Culinary Team 2008

(L-R, back row) Reno dela Victoria, Arnold Guevarra, Andy Tabotabo, J. Gamboa, Buddy Trinidad, Ariel Manuel, Tony Bleza, Edwin Escora, Ador Mendoza

(L-R, middle row) James Antolin, Fernando Aracama, Boy Timola

(L-R, front row) Ryan Otmana, Nana Nadal, Marge Villena, Janice Lazaga