by the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, SAMCIS, SLU
Proving its culinary prowess in the recent 16th Annual Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Week (HRT), students from the Saint Louis University Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) brought home three gold medals, three silver medals, and two certificates of participation, after competing against 11 teams comprised by both students and professionals in the Hotel, Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) Week held last 21 to 23 September 2023 in Baguio City.
Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales with the HTM-HRAB coach and participants | Photo by UIO
The categories and awards received by the HTM students are:
Event: Klasika Kulinarya (considered as the highlight of the entire event) Award: Gold Medal, receiving the highest score in the student division and professional division
Right to left: Rev. Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, Mr. Bernald Jules Soriano and Ms. Gabrielle Eunice Santos of Klasika Kulinarya | Photo by UIO
Event: Pasta and Sauce Showdown Award: Gold Medal, the only gold medal awarded in the category
Team Pasta and Sauce: Stephen Joseph Ng and Maria Janisse Issen Yasay of Pasta and Sauce | Photo by UIO
Event: Travel and Tour Packaging Award: Silver Medal
Event: Bellman’s Hour Award: Silver Medal
Event: Bellman’s Hour (a showcase of excellent service delivery, from guest check-in to check-out) Award: Gold with Distinction, 100/100 in the judges’ scorecard
Mr. Luke Jericho Maramag of Travel and Tour Packaging, and Ms. Vea Andrea Rivera of Bellman’s Hour (Silver Medalist) | Photo by UIOMr. John Ramsen Macaraeg of Bellman’s Hour (Gold Medalist) | Photo by UIO
Event: Creative Cake Award: Silver Medal
Team Creative Cake: All smiles for Team Creative Cake as they receive their Silver Medal for the Creative cake student division category. Ms. Julianna Dela Cruz, Ms. Vivien Ciello Calica, and Ms. Theona Gasic.
In an interview with Chef Odessa Florentin, one of the HTM coaches, she expressed her satisfaction and pride in her students’ performance and presentation at the HRAB culinary competition, especially given that they have been practicing for days.
With over 30 events, the HTM students joined nine. Although not all events were won this year, each team showed great teamwork and sportsmanship, embodying the coaches’ motto of “We win games together, lose games together.”
Despite encountering challenges in preparing for the competition, the Louisians persevered and their hard work paid off.
The HRAB, considered as one of the biggest culinary competitions in the North of Manila, is held in celebration of World Tourism Month and in honor of Baguio City’s 114th Charter Anniversary.
Team Klasika Kulinarya: Klasika Kulinarya is the Highlight of the entire event, this team composed of Mr. Aelem Lloyd Somera, Chef Odessa Florentin (Coach) Mr. Bernald Jules Soriano, Ms. Gabrielle Eunice Santos, has tirelessly worked to perfect the recipe, practicing without complaint even on a tight budget, but this builds determination and character that produces results. A Gold Medal and a ticket to the National Food Showdown. | Photo by HTM, SAMCISTeam Klasika Kulinarya, winning entry to the HRAB culinary competition 2023. | Photo by HTM, SAMCISLongganisa Ravioli with Kiniing Aglio Olio: The winning entry that gave SLU the only gold medal in the event. A lovely creation not only pleasing to the eyes, but more with the palate. | Photo by HTM, SAMCISTeam Travel and Tours: Our winning team for tour packaging, Mr. Luke Jericho Maramag, and Ms. Franchette Paynor, they conquered the mountains of Batad in Ifugao, to show the wonders that lies amidst the terrains of the place, this winning team was a Silver Medalist. | Photo by HTM, SAMCISTeam Bellman’s Hour: Our last minute entry, is the team that impressed the judges the most, kudos to the inspiration and the determination of their coach and professor Ms. Isabel Telio. | Photo by HTM, SAMCISTeam Pasta and Sauce Showdown: Receiving their Gold Medal award is the winning duo of Mr. Stephen Joseph Ng, and Ms. Ma. Janisse Issen Yasay.
