Same time 10 years ago, this group was busy meeting and practicing for the Hong Kong International Culinary Classic at HOFEX.
Culinary Team Pilipinas 2007: Team Captain Ariel Manuel, Team Members Arnold Guevarra, Boy Timola, and Tony Bleza, Pastry Chef Buddy Trinidad, Team Manager J. Gamboa, Team Support Marge Villena, Fernando Aracama, and me!
All the hard work paid off, Culinary Team Pilipinas 2007 came home from Hong Kong in May with a Gold Medal and Best of the Best Trophy for its Gourmet Team Challenge Entry plus a bronze medal for chef Arnold Guevarra’s Red Mullet & Prawns Live Cooking entry.
Chefs Ariel Manuel, Tony Bleza, Buddy Trinidad, Boy Timola, Arnold Guevarra, J Gamboa
Gourmet Team Challenge Entry. A cold buffet for 30 persons consisting of 27 different items, prepared in 24 hours.
Last night, we all walked down memory lane and recalled the victory after all the sweat and tears. It was a fun reunion at Taperia Poblacion, chef Ariel Manuel’s restaurant.
Chefs J Gamboa, Ariel Manuel, and Fernando Aracama
Chef Buddy brought the poster for the documentary about the victory, aired in 2008. We all signed it.
You can view the pre-final edit version of the Real Chefs on my YouTube channel.
Here’s the link to part 1: Real Chefs Part 1 of 2
Here’s the link to part 2: Real Chefs Part 2 of 2
Culinary Team Pilipinas 2007 with chef Mia Manuel
Callos photobombers. Chefs J Gamboa and Fernando Aracama.
Taperia Poblacion is located at B. Valdez corner Makati Avenue.
