Amateur Adobo Competitor Profile - Jenny McCray
As Jenny McCray reflected on her win at the Adobo Throwdown 3.0, she felt honored and proud, knowing that her family, friends, and colleagues were equally thrilled. Her journey in cooking began at a young age, and she developed a passion for experimenting with new recipes. Her winning adobo recipe was inspired by her late grandma Amy, who taught her the importance of adding flavor without measuring cups or spoons. With confidence boosted by her win, Jenny is looking forward to competing in the professional level competition next year.
Lumpia Competitor Profile - David Ritualo
David Ritualo, the winner of the lumpia competition, expresses his gratitude for being selected. He has been making lumpia for as long as he can remember, and his three boys are his biggest inspiration. His greatest lesson to them is that they should never limit themselves and always believe they can achieve anything.
David created a unique lumpia by rolling and deep-frying homemade New York-style cheesecake.
As a perfectionist, David struggles with time management, but his optimism and desire to do more often get the better of him. He is grateful for the support of his family and friends, who push him to improve.
Overall, David found the experience to be amazing, and he loved the vending setup. He thanks everyone for the opportunity and encourages them to enjoy the ride.
Professional Adobo Competitor - Belle Stroker
Belle Stroker participated in Adobo Throwdown 3.0, showcasing her creativity and skill in crafting an innovative adobo dish. She aimed to present her adobo in a unique way while maintaining the traditional taste, announcing the judging criteria during the event to set the tone. Despite the competitive atmosphere, Belle formed close bonds with her fellow finalists, and she also incorporated Mama Sita's products into her dishes.
Professional Adobo Competitor - Dan Castro
Chef Dan Castro's experience at Adobo Throwdown 3.0 was a mix of familiar and new. With a more organized approach, he felt confident and prepared to take on the competition. His adobo birria, inspired by a friend who passed away, was a science project of sorts, testing and refining the recipe until it was just right.
The event organizers did a good job, but Chef Castro suggested making it a one-day event. He's already looking forward to defending his title next year, but believes others should have their chance to share their Filipino food stories after that.
Chef Castro is a fan of Mama Sita's products, particularly their sinigang mix, and suggests adding sweet treats like halo halo mixes to their lineup.
Professional Adobo Competitor - Chef David Ritualo
The competitor had a positive experience at Adobo Throwdown 3.0, finding it a great opportunity to promote Filipino culture and local businesses, and would likely participate again in the future, using Mama Sita's products in their cooking.
Filipino BBQ Competitor Profile - David Wu
David Wu, a proud winner of 2nd place in the Filipino BBQ contest at the Adobo Throwdown 3.0, reflects on his journey in cooking. Born with a foodie palate, David's love for cooking began at the tender age of five, when his grandparents would take him to San Francisco's Chinatown for delicious dim sum and Chinese banquets. Growing up, his mom, an accomplished cook, taught him the ropes and even let him help out in the kitchen. David's Filipino BBQ recipe was inspired by his wife Ruthie's win in the ube dessert contest last year and his own desire to join her in the competition. Although it was his first time making Filipino BBQ pork belly, he overcame challenges by adapting techniques from Chinese BBQ spareribs. For future competitors, David advises finding the best cut of meat with marbled fat. His biggest influence has been his mom, who instilled in him a love for cooking.
Ube Dessert Competitor Profile - Dane Hearn
Dane Hearn, the winner of the Ube Dessert Competition at Adobo Throwdown 3.0, shares his journey to success. Growing up in the Philippines, Dane was exposed to various ube desserts and drew inspiration from his childhood experiences. His signature cake recipe, using real ube, has been a bestseller since 2015. Dane's passion for baking was influenced by his mother, who taught him from scratch.
Despite emotional challenges during the competition, Dane remained proud of his creation. He encourages future competitors to share their passion and never underestimate themselves. Dane credits his husband as a key supporter and consumer of his baked goods.
Lumpia Competitor Profile - Joseph Delrosario
Joseph Delrosario is thrilled to have his Lumpia recognized by the judges at the Adobo Throwdown 3.0, even though he didn't win first place. The experience taught him that there's still room for improvement and motivates him to learn more. He entered the competition because he wanted to recreate a beloved lumpia recipe that he used to love as a child. His secret ingredient is the care and effort he puts into preparing and cutting his vegetables, making it stand out from others. Despite feeling at home surrounded by Filipino culture, Joseph still encountered challenges, but his friends and family have been his biggest influencers. He uses Mama Sita's products to add traditional Filipino flavors to his dishes, making cooking easier and more convenient.
Ube Dessert Competitor Profile - Tesa Meneses
Tessa's Ube Dessert Competition win was a sweet triumph. Her friends' encouragement and love for ube inspired her to create a unique recipe, a Ube Cheese Macapuno Trifle. She adapted a Texas tres leches cake recipe, adding ube haleya for extra flavor.
Tessa overcame presentation challenges by watching dessert decorating and packaging tutorials, finding a style that showcased her trifle's beauty. The most memorable part of her experience was connecting with fellow competitors and exchanging ideas.
Tessa's advice to future competitors is to be confident and positive. Her love for baking and dessert-making was influenced by family gatherings with her grandma, where they'd try new recipes and experiment with flavors. As a fan of Mama Sita's products, she appreciates their convenience and quality.
Filipino BBQ Competitor Profile-Joseph Delrosario
The winner of the Filipino BBQ shares his journey and passion for cooking Filipino BBQ. He began cooking at a young age, inspired by his mom, and later developed his own recipe with the support of his dad. The competition was a stress-free experience, and he advise future competitors to remember why they cook and cook with love. His biggest influences are his friends and Mama Sita's products, which they use to create traditional Filipino flavors and convenience in their dishes.
Exploring Filipino Culinary Heritage with Nancy Reyes Lumen: Mama Sita’s
Nancy Reyes Lumen shares her passion for Filipino cuisine and showcases the incredible culinary heritage of Mama Sita's, a beloved brand known for its authentic Filipino flavor enhancers and condiments.