How do we love cheese? Let me count the ways

MANILA, Philippines - How do we love cheese? Let us count… 5,845 ways, to be exact. This is the number of cheese-inspired dishes whipped up by battalions of chefs and students from the Magsaysay Institute of Hospitality and Culinary Arts (MIHCA), Regina Carmeli, St. Paul College, Centro Escolar University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, La Consolacion College and Arellano University.

The event held at the Araneta Coliseum was a bid to beat the current Guinness World Record of 4,668 for “The Most Number of (Cheese) Dishes on Display, in a Single Day.” This record was previously set by India in 2007.

Using Eden cheese as a primary ingredient, the chefs concocted a mouthwatering array of dishes that spanned the range of hors d’oeuvres to dessert. To ensure that there was no duplication of entries, a panel that included Philippine STAR columnist Claude Tayag meticulously inspected the items. The formidable task was shared by judges Glenda Barretto, Nancy Reyes Lumen, Sau del Rosario, Marbee Go, Anton Diaz, Lorraine Belmonte, Joseph Tanchee and Rox Agustin. 

“As a brand, we decided to infuse our resources into this non-conventional campaign,” says Alex Dan Tacderas, category marketing manager for Cheese and Spoonables of Kraft Foods Philippines. He explains that the effort is, in part, meant to encourage culinary creativity by using easy-on-the-pocket brands like Eden. Indeed, as a versatile ingredient that can easily be incorporated in local dishes, one thing going for Eden is price accessibility, where a 35-gram sulit pack costs nine pesos.

Tacderas believes that in this holiday season where feasting is a tradition, food quality and flavor need not be sacrificed by financial constraints that may influence one’s choice of ingredients. “Eden cheese is the most versatile food enhancer. It is not just for the rich or poor — it is for all,” he says. “We wanted to inspire people to create special dishes. We wanted to show that Eden has meaningful space in the community.”

Eden cheese’s record-breaking activity is just one facet of the YUMM (or “Your Ulam Mas Masarap”) campaign whose main goal is to “unite everyone in saving Christmas for families who are still reeling from the challenges brought about by recent disasters.”

A “Keso de Gallo” component that started last Dec. 16 has been providing post-misa de gallo feasts for citizens of Bacolod City, Iloilo, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu City, Naga, Butuan, Laoag and Pampanga. Held in the various town plazas in cooperation with ABS-CBN Foundation, local government units and various civic-oriented groups, the early-morning spreads held after dawn Mass feature nine local delicacies that are enhanced by Eden cheese.

“During these challenging times, it is important to remember not what we have lost, but what we still have as a nation,” says Alex Tacderas. “We hold in our hands the innate Filipino creativity and love for food which, when put together, can empower us and promote pride of country. We want to be at the forefront of giving the message of hope by making a mark in history.”

It was quite impossible to sample all 5,845 cheese dishes or choose a particular favorite at Eden cheese’s world record-breaking activity, but the enthusiasm and skill of all participants bodes well for the future of Filipino food. “This is just the start of the inspiration,” enthuses Alex Tacderas. We look forward to a future activity of 7,107 cheese recipes for the 7,107 islands of the Philippines. After all, Eden cheese has demonstrated that there are no limits to the Filipino’s culinary ingenuity.

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Visit www.sarapngbuhay.com for Eden cheese recipes.