Lumpia Competitor Profile - Joseph Delrosario
Congratulations on your win at the Adobo Throwdown 3.0! How does it feel to have your Lumpia recognized by the judges?
Continuing from my response to the Filipino BBQ, it feels wonderful having my Lumpia judged at a higher level. Getting 2nd place taught me that I have so much that I can improve on. Knowing that 1st place went to a professional chef motivates me. That lets me know that I’m not just any amateur chef. I’m good but I have so much to learn, and it gets me excited for the next competition!
What inspired you to enter the Lumpia Competition? Is there a special story or tradition behind your lumpia?
I created my lumpia recipe because I wanted to recreate a lumpia that I tried when I was very young. I would get this lumpia whenever I could but then they stopped making it. Ever since, I’ve been trying to recreate it as well as make it my own. The only lead I had was my memory of the taste and the ambition to create something that was mine.
Can you tell us about your lumpia recipe? What makes it stand out from others?
I tried to keep my lumpia as traditional as possible. I take time picking very specific ingredients and take even longer prepping and cutting all the vegetables a very specific way. A five-minute job took me 30 minutes due to the amount of care and effort I put in.
Did you encounter any challenges while preparing your lumpia for the competition? How did you manage them?
Preparing the lumpia wasn’t as stressful as making the Filipino BBQ. I’ve made my lumpia countless times for friends and family so all I had to do was do what I’ve always done, which was to create something amazing.
What was the highlight of your experience at 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.
What advice would you give to future competitors in the Lumpia Competition?
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 the biggest influence on your lumpia-making skills?
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.