UGABI conducts first citywide cooking contest
FROM THE GARDEN TO THE KITCHEN. Virginia D. San Diego of Loakan Proper barangay, showcases her winning version of Stuffed Ampalaya made from organic backyard and pot garden vegetables and produce. The dish won the grand prize in the first citywide “Garden to Kitchen Cooking Contest” initiated by UGABI chairman and lutong bahay advocate Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. in celebration of Women’s Month 2022 held in partnership with KALIPI Women Federation of Baguio, Inc. on March 15, 2022 at the CDRRMC Building, Lower Rock Quarry in Baguio City. (Photo by Cynthia Tomanan and UGABI).
BAGUIO CITY — Twenty women were given the chance to showcase their cooking prowess using only organic vegetables picked from their own gardens during the “garden to kitchen cooking contest” spearheaded by Urban Gardening Advocates of Baguio, Inc. (UGABI) chairman Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at the CDRRMC Hall, Lower Rock Quarry, here.
The event was the very first citywide cooking competition by UGABI and was held in cooperation with the Kalipunan ng Liping Pilipina (KALIPI) Women’s Federation of Baguio City, Inc. in celebration of Women’s Month, carrying the theme “We Make Change Work for Women-Agenda ng Kababaihan Tungo sa Kaunlaran”.
Contestants were composed of members of barangay women organizations accredited with KALIPI, and having their own urban, backyard, or pot garden where the main ingredients of the dish to be showcased were to come from.
Virginia D. San Diego who represented Loakan Proper barangay, prepared her winning version of Stuffed Ampalaya.
Loakan Proper Women’s Organization president Imelda Sanoy said almost all ingredients used in the dish came from their backyard and pot garden and are organic, including the eggs and the chicken meat.
KALIPI Federation of Baguio president Lolita B. Castro said she is extending her heartfelt gratitude to the lead sponsor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. and the City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO) for the support, as well as to all who contributed time and effort to make the occasion a success.
“This is not the last, there will be more challenges for us… women make change to be proud,” Castro said, while encouraging federation members to plant organic vegetables for the family and for livelihood to augment the family’s resources to meet the basic needs.
The event was sponsored by UGABI, Friends of LBY, and lutong bahay advocate himself Leandro B. Yangot, Jr.
UGABI is a group that is bonded by a common advocacy which is to promote and practice urban farming or gardening in the city of Baguio. It upholds eco-friendly practices that only adhere to the use of natural and organic methods.
The group is looking forward to holding the second part and the next level of the “Garden to Kitchen Cooking Contest” soon.
Meanwhile, the other contest winners were: Madonna Lucagan-Trancoville (Ist Place); Maria Onelza A. de Guzman-Gibraltar (2nd place); Eliza B. Biswayan- Pacdal (3rd place); and Ruth D. Ngayudan-Upper Rock Quarry (4th place).
All winners received cash prizes and certificates. Non-winning participants received consolation prizes.
The panel of judges included a businessman, a teacher, and a retired chef who all had worked as chefs in their respective capacities here and abroad. They are: Oliver E. Tolentino (Chef for 27 years overseas); Angelo A. Bayacsan (TESDA Trainer for Cookery and Awarded as Outstanding Teacher in 2021); and Freniel I. Reyes (Former Manager/Co-owner of Balai Studio Café). ###
