Dychauco: Culinary Fusion with Chef Ed (Part 4)

By Chef Ed Dychauco
Pots and Pans

THE last time I organized a culinary show was Let's Cake It....With Mrs. Avelina Florendo & Ed! two years ago to a very active and participating audience. It's been a while.

I've been busy with many out of town culinary demonstrations, judging, doing consultancies, speaking engagements (both culinary and nursing side) that have brought me all over the Philippines. So this time, I decided to do another one and came out with Culinary Fusion with Chef Ed (Part 4) last August 2, 2008 at the Grand Caprice Restaurant & Convention Centre at the LimKetKai Complex.

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Actually, I have established two types of shows, LET'S CAKE IT...., being a baking and cake decorating event while CULINARY FUSION is more of the cooking endeavor. These two shows were launched way back in 2001 when Pots & Pans Home Bake & Coffee Shop celebrated its 25th anniversary. And since then, I have brought in Philippine's distinguished & famous culinary artists like Ms. Penk Ching, Ms. Dorothy Ferreria, Chef Dennis Hipolito, Ms. Heny Sison & Mrs. Avelina Florendo to Cagayan de Oro to showcase their extra-ordinary talents in cooking, baking and cake decorating.

We started late because of the long line outside the venue. Was I surprised to see a lot of people joining the affair! Excited and eager participants, friends, customers, teachers and students, aspiring culinary artists and what-have-you were patient enough to wait and were seen exchanging pleasantries and making new friends. A lot of new faces emerged as I welcome everyone at the start of the show. Modesty aside, the venue was jampacked to the max and I was so overwhelmed with the response of everyone present!

For this, I started the cooking workshop with a very simple yet delicious creamy squash/pumpkin cream corn soup. Next, came the upgraded Kevin's sardines with mushroom pasta, nutritious pasta Pomodoro with Pine ham, healthy Emerald rice, nourishing baked bihon with nuts, authentic Spanish chicken with rice, the hearty beef casserole with fruits and nuts and the favorite chili con carne.

A short appreciation of coffee showcasing latte art was brought out by Mr. Rey Sumania of Jamaican F & B Training Center using World-Class Rancilio coffee machine and Torani syrups.

A song number was also presented by the dashing and good-looking Mr. Stephen Elumba who sings at Zax Music Lounge to the delight of the audience during a short break.

A little baking came in next with the rich bread dough mixture of milk rolls or Fantans. Desserts included cornmeal pancakes and cornmeal muffins using Marca Leon's Polenta (actually a very first for the product since they have not really formally launched the Polenta yet), the favorite nutty glutinous ball, but this time, I used ube halaya instead of the usual taro or mongo filling. Pre-baked goodies were also presented like the 32nd Anniversary chocolate cake, baked corn puto, fruited chocolate muffins, and many more. A total of almost 30 easy-to-prepare but sumptuous recipes were given to the motivated & thrilled participants during the registration process.

Everyone, I guess, got to try most of the dishes and baked items that were prepared. Most of the participants also got to bring home a thing or two, as a sign of my appreciation for their enthusiastic presence, like Cook magazines, cake toppers, recipe cards, etc. But most of all, I could surely say, they brought with them a lot of unforgettable memories and new learning techniques & terminologies that will surely help them in their daily life, household kitchens, classrooms and jobs.

There were "question and answer" portions. Anyone who gets to give the right answer was given a prize! Certificates of participation were distributed to everyone right after the show.

Before I forget, I would like to thank a lot of people who helped me in one way or the other for making this grand event a success! Radio spots (Papa Ardie of Campus Radio), distribution of posters and ticket selling (Mr. Andy Eligan Jr.), actual preparations of the ingredients (Mr. Rommel Surposa & Mr. EJ Naliponguit), ran errands for me (Pots & Pans staff), assisted me during the live event (Mr. Samuel Velez & Mr. Roel Adino), live video coverage (Mr. Allan Alejandrino & his assistant of MVP & Mr. Atoy Martinez), digital photography (Ms. Grace), Grand Caprice Restaurant (Ms. Sheila Ching), newspaper ads (Ms. Liezel Deloso of Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro) and of course, my mom, wife and daughters for their unending and unwavering support.

Many thanks also to the following wonderful sponsors for helping out: Peotraco Food Ingredients, Kevin Enterprises, Revive Trading, Marca Leon, King Dnarmsa Coffee, Jamaican F & B Training Center, Valmarce Food Ingredients, Darling Food Corporation, PineFoods-TGO, DCTech Internet Connection, Petronas, Ink All You Can, Laundry Stop, Mama's Choice Meatshop, New Pag-Asa Pawnshop, Nutcracker Peanuts, Rainsoft, Tropics Best Cashew, Sentro 1850 and Party Mascot for the beautiful balloon decor.

Pots & Pans Home Bake & Coffee Shop continues to offer individualized or group culinary classes at its new location, Apolinar Velez St. corner Hayes St. and can be reached at telephone numbers: (08822) 724-674 or (088) 858-4209. Email at potsnpans1976@yahoo.com and website: www.potsnpans1976.multiply.com