KUMBIRA, the biggest and longest-running culinary show and competition in Northern Mindanao, officially opened last Wednesday, August 14, at the Atrium of 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 Food Baskets of BIMP: Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines," aiming to showcase and promote cuisines of the aforementioned countries apart from the flavors and regional recipes of Mindanao.
Kumbira Masters 2019 exhibits 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.
During the three-day event (August 14 to 16), Kumbira will be having several activities and competitions including the "master class" cooking demonstrations, cake decorating, ham display, and themed table setting participated by grade school, junior and college students, and professionals.
Several private companies also put up their booths, displaying their products such as coffee beans, baking and cooking ingredients and kitchen wares.
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.