The Pastry Alliance of the Philippines shines in Hong Kong
MANILA, Philippines - The talent and passion of a fresh and young Pastry Alliance of the Philippines impressed and endeared themselves to an international panel of judges by setting a record of wins with five golds, two bronzes, and a team silver at the recent Hong Kong International Culinary Classic. Every single competitor came out a winner.
Held from May 11 to 14 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center in conjunction with HOFEX, the HKICC was a flurry of multi-skill events participated in by delegations from over 12 countries.
Benjie Lanas of Cebu carved “Joker,” a colorful jester out of white chocolate, to set the trend with PAP’s first gold. Rizalino Manas’ bronze-winning “Linger” was a dramatic collage of geckos, butterflies, and birds-of-paradise pulled out of sugar.
Batangas native Bryan Dimayuga executed an all-white “Ivory” wedding cake that scored very high in technical skill with his long and consistent string work to capture a gold.
The only two gold medals in the Under 25 Plated Desserts Category went to PAP: Clyden San Pedro’s visual feast of passionfruit-coconut-mango “Metamorphosis” and chocolate-rose-hazelnut “Kaleidoscope,” and Michael Aspiras’ refreshing layers of “Corn Field and Lemon Garden.
Nikki Misa’s focused live execution of her “Passionfruit in Earl Grey Mousse” won her a gold in the Chocolate Fragrant Tea Cake category.
Gen Oliva prepared two desserts live based on the secret ingredient guava for “Fantasy Table” to add another bronze to the PAP harvest.
Live Bakery, the main pastry event, required Bubbles Cruz-Lerias, Maricar Salvador and Roel Vargas to prepare 15 different types and shapes of breads plus a bread showpiece within nine hours. Their ingenious and delicious Ensaymada con Prosciutto, Back to The (Ube) Roots, Duck in a Box, and Pili Citrus Twist won a team silver.
