CUISINES from Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines will take center stage this year as the longest-running annual culinary arts show and competitions presents “Kumbira Masters.”
Having its grand launching on July 3 by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (Cohara) together with the City Government of Cagayan de Oro, the 23rd edition of Kumbira is set to be held on August 14 to 16 at the Atrium of Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Kumbira Masters: The Food Baskets of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines (BIMP) aims to showcase and promote cuisines of the aforementioned countries apart from the flavors and regional recipes of Mindanao.
It is to exhibit the appreciation and application of indigenous ingredients in local recipes, to hone culinary skills and new techniques and technologies in developing local cuisine, and to promote skills certification to professionalize the hospitality industry.
Kumbira Masters will also feature exhibits and cooking demonstrations by country and the different regions of Mindanao in the Philippines; promote local products, ingredients, and other produce through food tasting; culinary and skills competitions with teams representing each region; and series of seminar lecture/demo by chef experts and judges of Kumbira, food-related technology and skills certification and requirements of the different countries.
“We’re highlighting ang developing the skills as well as ilang recipes and ang atong master classes,” City Fiesta Executive Committee Head Eileen San Juan said.
“It’s something like we want to know how we would connect to these countries in terms of our cuisine,” she added.
This year’s Kumbira also brings into attention on who will be the first Kumbira Chef Master, Bar Master and Latte Art Master, the titles given to the champion of the specific competitions.
Kumbira Masters consists of six culinary skills competition categories with its sub-categories, namely:
- Professional Division: Culinary Challenge, Pastry and Desserts, and Dining Service
- Student Division: Culinary Challenge, Pastry and Desserts, Dining Service, and Beverage Service
- Junior Division: Culinary Challenge and Beverage Service
- Kiddie Division: Culinary Challenge, Pastry and Desserts, and Beverage Service
- Open Competition
- Brand Competition
Kumbira is the flagship project of COHARA and an annual event during the Higalaay Festival celebration.
It promotes healthy competition and camaraderie among the different hotels and restaurants, schools, as well as, elevate the standards of the culinary industry in the Region. The event also showcases renowned chefs and industry practitioners as judges who will help hone the various skills, artistry and creativeness of the food and beverage practitioners and students in the competitions.