13-year old wins bangus cookfest

GIVE way to young chefs in the making.

Grace Dalaten, 13 years old and a sophomore student at the Dagupan City National High School, upstaged 20 other would-be chefs in the recently concluded Bangus Cookfest Food Festival last April 27.

City Mayor Alipio Fernandez Jr. was visibly impressed by the young girl’s win and felt elated to see that the city’s youth have found another hobby and pastime.

It was Dalaten’s first participation in the contest.

The other young winners were Janwel Capulong of La Marea School (2nd prize) and Althea Corpuz also of DCNHS (3rd prize).  Amy Amigable and Bedine Joy won 4th and 5th prizes respectively.

Dalaten’s cooking, preparations, plating and presentation of her winning entries – bangus fillet with shrimp and orang-mango salsa (for appetizer) and bangus fillet rolled and wrapped in bacon with cream sauce (for main dish) – easily won the nod of he judges.

Dalaten’s coach, Melchor Corpuz, a hotel and restaurant graduate and instructor at the University of Pangasinan, said they had agreed on using a boneless bangus as the basic food.

The young winner said she has enjoyed cooking for the family since she was in grade III and hopes to become a chef in a big restaurant or hotel.

Dalaten brought home a total cash prize of P18,000 put up by Councilor Alfredo Quinto (P10,000) and Reynolds Aluminum Foil (P8,000).

City Nutrition Officer Leah Aquino, event coordinator, said all the 21 contestants received a gift check each while the three top winners received Shellane stove with tank, while the 4th up to 12th placers received a stove each.

Mayor Fernandez called on the participants to preserve their bangus recipes for generations to enjoy. -LM

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