Filipino BBQ Competitor Profile-Joseph Delrosario
Congratulations on your win at the Adobo Throwdown 3.0! How does it feel to have your Filipino BBQ recognized by the judges?
Having my Filipino BBQ recognized by judges makes me very happy as well as validated. I always cooked because it’s my passion but having it judged at a higher level and not just among friends and family lets me know that I am doing something right and that I am good at it.
Can you tell us a bit about your background in cooking? How did you first get started?
My cooking began at a very young age. I would watch my mom cook and try to repeat it but would fail all the time because I did not pay attention to all the details. The first dish I made was champorado and I burnt it but that catapulted me into wanting me to improve as well as to cook with love and care.
What inspired your Filipino BBQ recipe? Is there a story or personal connection behind it?
My dad inspired my own personal Filipino BBQ recipe. Although he didn’t cook or grill much, he allowed me to explore my grilling techniques and supported me. I would grill as much as I could when I was with him because it made him happy, and I enjoyed it.
Did you face any challenges while preparing your dish for the competition? How did you overcome them?
Creating a new recipe was stressful for me since I had no idea what I was signing up for. I wanted to put so many combinations together but that did not create what I had in mind. It was too much so I took a step back. Once I got my thoughts together, I stuck to my fundamentals and remembered why I cooked. I cooked because it brought joy to my life. With that in mind, I created a Filipino BBQ recipe that I believed that was competition worthy.
What was the most memorable moment for you during the Adobo Throwdown?
When I entered Adobo Throwdown, I felt at home. The smell of Filipino food hit my nose as soon as I walked in. Culture was everywhere. The traditional Filipino attire, singing and dancing was the most memorable and made me proud to be a Filipino.
If you could offer one piece of advice to future competitors in the Filipino BBQ, what would it be?
Remember why you cook and cook with love. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Those mistakes can lead you to something better. Food brings people together and you’re the one that initiates that atmosphere.
Who or what has been your biggest influence in your cooking journey?
My biggest influencers would be my best friends, Jasmine Paje and Joanna Paje. They were two of my biggest supporters who helped me along my cooking journey. Without them, I may not have finished in time or would’ve been immensely stressed throughout the cooking process.
Bonus Question: Do you use Mama Sita’s products in your cooking? If so, how have they influenced your adobo or other dishes?
I use Mama Sita’s products for some of my cooking. It gives a good outline on what traditional Filipino cooking taste like. It also makes creating Filipino dishes fast and convenient. If I want the flavor of Filipino dishes in nontraditional Filipino dishes, such as chicken wings or burgers, I can rely on Mama Sita’s products to deliver that taste.