IT WAS indeed sweet success for Gourmet Bites and Pastry Arts Academy Philippines, as they reaped a cornucopia of awards at the recent Mindanao Culinary Festival held at the SM Lanang Premier.
Run by sisters Chiara Samson-Sacdalan and Simone Samson-De Vera with husband Jay De Vera and their sister-in-law Architect Elisha Agdamag-Samson, Gourmet Bites is the culinary arts extension of St. Dominic Savio Business and Technical College Inc. (SDSBTC).
On the other hand, Pastry Arts Academy, Philippines, the first pastry school in Mindanao, is the pastry arts department of SDSBTC.
Bagging a total of 3 bronzes, 2 silvers, and 3 gold medals during the three-day event, the family couldn't be any prouder of their representatives.
Their instructors and students competed in the professional level in the various categories going against challengers from the hotel industry, food caterers and establishments, as well as other schools in Culinary Arts and Hotel and Restaurant Management.
In the Wedding Cake Category, Gourmet Bites' Pastry Arts instructors Chefs Pia Angela Dalisay Tecson and Christopher Vincent Borja won back-to-back gold while Certificate in Culinary Arts (CCA) Batch 4 student Jennifer Viola Villegas ranked third highest silver in the Pasta Category (Live).
Meanwhile, Certificate in Baking & Pastry Arts (CBPA) Batch 7 student Kirsten Kaye Canillo won the second highest bronze medal in the Plated Desserts Category, besting all the other student entries.
Another Batch 8 student, Kate Laus, bagged the bronze medal in the same category.
It was no easy feat as CCA Batch 3 student Jesa Gomez clinched the only gold medal in the Local Seafood Category (Live) and in all of the cooking categories, earning 91 points out of 100.
In addition, the Quick Fire Salad (Live) Category bronze medal went to CCA Batch 2 student Lady Bird Viola.
Gourmet Bites' Chefs Remelina Cuenca, Janice Faith Ibañez and Gail Rodriguez were awarded the highest silver in the Filipino Cuisine Category (there were no gold medal awardees in this category) which earned them an all-expense paid trip to the Philippine Culinary Cup Manila in August 2015.
"We thank each and every one for proudly and bravely competing in the name of Gourmet Bites and Pastry Arts Academy, Philippines!" Chiara Samson-Sacdalan enthuses.
(E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.momabouttowndavao.blogspot.com.)