CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Philippines longest running ang biggest culinary show and festival outside Metro Manila has undoubtedly contributed to the impressive gains made by Filipino cuisine in the global gastronomic world.
During the launching of the 28th edition of Kumbira! Culinary Show and Competitions at a local mall, Norbert Gandler, chairman of the Board of Judges, remarked how things have changed so much since he moved here from Austria 35 years ago.
“The Philippines was not yet in the world map of culinary scene, but that has changed a lot. Now everybody talks about the Philippines, Filipino food, and of course, Filipino service, the most friendly in the world. This has a lot to do with the quality of Philippine chefs, and other working in the hospitality industry around the world who are known as the best employees,” Gandler noted.
Jeffrey Limbonhai, president of the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA) which has successfully organized Kumbira! for the past three decades, acknowledged the need to continue learning and building on the Filipino’s beautiful heritage, culture and cuisine.
“But we need to strive to move forward, and seek new ideas, innovative methods, and enhanced techniques. The past may remain the same, but the future will always change: trends fade, challenges arise,” Limbonhai observed.
“Palates are becoming more sensitive, more discerning, The market is becoming more educated with issues regarding climate change, sustainability, and cost cutting. We have the responsibility to improve ourselves so we may improve the world around us so this in turn will also benefit us,” he added.
Indeed, since its inception in 1996, Kumbira has been sharpening the kitchen knives of culinary students and professionals all over Mindanao, which has significantly contributed to the increasing demand for trained kitchen and hospitality staff here and abroad.
For Kumbira 2024, 58 teams from four cities (Cagayan de Oro, Tangub, Pagadian and Dipolog) and four provinces (Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Surigao del Sur) are competing in 23 Live Competitions such as Kumbira Masters, Barangay Cooking Challenge (Best Sinuglaw), Regional Recipe Challenge, Dining Services, Pastry & Desserts, Bar/Beverage Services, Hotel Services, Mindanao Coffee Festival, and in the Kiddie (7-12 yrs.) and Junior (13-17 yrs.) divisions.
There were 24 teams entered in the Professional Division, 20 in the College Division, 5 in the Barangay Cooking Challenge, and 5 in the Kiddies/Junior Divisions. The total number of competitors number 345.
Kumbira! also attracted 44 trade exhibitors and 12 participants in its Food Gallery for this year.
In a video message streamed from Bacolod City, Myrna Segismundo, Chairman of the National Food Showdown and a frequent Kumbira judge, while recognizing the rising global interest in Filipino cuisine, cautioned on the imperative need for a “major overhaul”.
“History and tradition will be our anchor and radar on this ship we adoringly call Kusina Filipina which has lately been making waves in the vast seas of world cuisine,” Segismundo observed.
However, she likewise warned of the need for a “major overhaul” of the world renowned Filipino hospitality and service, which has seen better days, since there are lots of problems happening in the dining rooms these days which really need looking into.
To help us keep our edge, she stressed the need for sustainability which equates to lower food costs, kitchen waste management, more use of local ingredients, and of course, better profits.
For his part, Gandler said the Board of Judges has included topics where competitors can score points for sustainability.
Another way through which Kumbira has been pushing sustainability in the industry is the professional judging the judges bring to the table.
“I think there is much more to winning medals and trophies in competitions like this. It should be about learning, about sharing ideas, which will then reflect in the industry,” he reflected.
Gandler shared how all judges conduct debriefings for the competitors after every competition where every entry is discussed, what was done well, where there was still room for improvement, where the coaches and teachers should also be present.
“Let us keep the momentum, stay the course, push the envelope further, full speed ahead na, all aboard na sa Kusina Filipina, let the showdown begin!” Segismundo exhorted.
KUMBIRA is the Philippines’ longest running live competition for students and professionals, and largest culinary show outside of Metro Manila which has been staged by COHARA for the past 27 years. A prelude event dubbed Hala Kumbira! Food Festival was held on August 16, 2024 to officially launch this year’s festival.
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