URC awards outstanding Vis-Min bakers in Pilipinas Bake-Off competition

MANILA, Philippines - Local restaurateurs, aspiring pastry chefs, culinary students and other food professionals came out to showcase their baking prowess in the Visayas-Mindanao regional finals of Universal Robina Corporation (URC) Flour’s Bake-Off Competition and Baking Academy. The contest is part of URC Flour’s Flourish Pilipinas campaign which seeks to inspire innovativeness among baking enthusiasts through the use of local ingredients from different parts of the country. The finalists presented original recipes of cakes and pastries inspired by local produce, all while incorporating ingredients from various URC Flour brands such as Sampaguita Flour, Globe Flour, Continental All-Purpose Flour and Daisy Cake Flour.

Philippine Women’s College’s Mark Jonas Sera with his Pomelo Chocomint Cake won in the Open Category while University of the Immaculate Concepcion’s Joevir Abangan with his MMK Veggie Bars, Holy Cross College of Davao’s Job Ezra Liao with his Mangosteen Avocado Cake, Davao Doctors’ Sarah May Ko with her Triple Chocolate Durian Mousse, University of Southeastern Philippines’ Luther Roquero with his Durian Mango Duet Cake, and University of Southeastern Philippines’ Darel Tacang with his Pasteloka, all won in the Non-Pro Category. “I feel very good about winning,” says Luther. “I’m glad we have companies like URC that offer wide opportunities to pastry chefs, aspiring or otherwise.” Winners each received a P10,000 cash prize, Cebu Pacific gift certificates, and Kitchenaid Mixers, among other prizes.

DTC Promos Inc. president and CEO Marissa Dames, entrepreneur and cake maker extraordinaire Joel Rodriguez, and URC Flour’s Technical Manager Nicanor Ines judged the entries based on taste, appearance and plating, and the use of local and indigenous ingredients. Held at the Davao Doctors College, the two-day event was organized in partnership with the Department of Tourism.