KUMBIRA, the biggest culinary show and competition in Northern Mindanao, has finally opened on Wednesday, August 15, at Limketkai Atrium, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City.
Organized by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (Cohara), this year's Kumbira is anchored on the theme: "The Kitchens of Mindanao.”
"It’s about time to offer what we have here in our island. So makita nimo ang lain-laing mga region nga nia dinhi karon nga nag display sa ilang mga produkto ug ilang delicacy especially kay para mahibal-an sa atong mga igsoon sa kalain-laing mga region nga duna diay kita'y mga pagkaon sa kada usa nato, nga atong mga specialties (You can see the various regions with their own products and delicacies displayed. Our specialties are also displayed for those from other regions to see the kinds of food we have here)," Nelia Lee, the past president of Cohara, said.
This year's participating establishments, Kumbira's 22nd edition, consist of 22 from Cagayan de Oro City, two in Bukidnon, three in Butuan City and one in Misamis Oriental.
Twenty-seven schools from places in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Pagadian City, Digos City, Butuan City, Agusan de Sur and Agusan del Norte also took part in the event.
The number of participants in this year's Kumbira is more than that of last year, which Lee happily took note of.
"Malipayon kami kaayo kay daghan nag join og atong mapakita sa katawhan sa Cagayan de Oro nga duna man diay kita'y mga patsadang mga pagkaon sa lain-laing mga lugar (We're happy that there are more who joined the event and we can show to the people of Cagayan de Oro that we have several food various areas)," Lee said.
Various culinary experts, chefs and food establishment owners acted as judges in this year's competition, which includes: Chef Myrna Segismundo, Chef Eduardo Tuazon, Chef Penk Tan, Chef Raul Ramos, food writer Michaela Makabenta, Chef Raoul Roberto Goco, Chef See Cheong Yan, Chef Jean Pierre Migne, Chef Alejandro Daza, Chef Martin Kaspar, Chef Cathy Dano, Chef Mich Uapal, Chef Awi Chaves, Chef Jocelyn Ann Chua, and Chef Mon Cardenas.
Ma. Luisa Tonelada, Edward Liwag, Austolio Igot and Renato Sumania are also part of judges for latte art/flair barista and flairtending.
Among the highlighted live competitions are the Chef Wars and Klasika Kulinarya.
Eileen San Juan, head of the City Fiesta Executive Committee, said the winning team of Chef Wars-Mindanao will compete in the finals during the 2018 National Food Showdown on October 26 to 27, which will be held in Quezon City.
Kumbira 2018 is a venue showcasing talent and skills in culinary and related fields in the hospitality industry. The three-day event will run until Friday, August 17.