The Ubi Festival will once again be celebrated this coming December to pay homage to Bohol’s rich agricultural heritage, particularly the humble yet versatile ubi (purple yam). It aims to showcase the vibrant culture, traditions, and flavors of our province while promoting sustainable agriculture and local entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the Ubi Festival offers a range of activities and attractions, including cultural performances, agricultural exhibits, and ubi-themed products from local artisans.
An integral component of this annual celebration is the highly anticipated Ubi Cook-Off. This culinary competition brings together skilled chefs and talented home cooks from every corner of Bohol, all with a shared mission: to craft distinctive and delectable dishes with ubi as the star ingredient. This event not only celebrates our culinary heritage but also fosters creativity and innovation in the kitchen.
MECHANICS:
- 10 slots will be opened for the dessert competition for professional chefs.
- Each participant must represent a hotel/resort establishment. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis. Online registration via: https://tinyurl.com/OEFProf.
- Upon registration participants are required to upload a softcopy of their dessert recipe. This recipe should include the name of the dessert and precise measurements for all ingredients.
- Each participant will bring to the venue their precooked dessert which is cooked within two hours from the hour of judging . Plating will be done at the venue (15 mins).
- Participants must prepare four identical plates for the dessert – 3 for judging and 1 for display.
- The participants must use their own dessert display stands, serving platters and trays, etc. Use of table display decorations is encouraged.
- Bohol Tourism Office will provide the display tables for the showcase.
WINNERS:
- There will be 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for Dessert category. (1st – 15K, 2nd – 10K, 3rd – 8K). The victorious contestants are expected to feature their winning dish on the menu of their respective restaurant or resort. Furthermore, they are encouraged to share the recipe openly, allowing others to improve upon it and incorporate it into their culinary offerings.
- Non-winning teams shall be given a consolation cash prize and a certificate of participation. (Php 5K each)
JUDGING:
Three (3) professional chefs will judge the competitions. They shall judge based on Presentation/Plating, Composition, Innovation & Originality and Flavors/Overall Appeal.
CRITERIA:
Presentation/Plating (25 Points)
- Use of color, textures
- Overall look and eye appeal.
- Serviceability (Is it easy to eat? Are the serving vessels appropriate?)
Composition (15 Points)
- Use of local ingredients, preparation technique
- Relevance to the theme
Innovation and Originality (20 Points)
- Pertains to the innovation made for a dessert and the uniqueness of the recipe.
- This also includes how innovatively ubi is used in the recipe.
Flavors, Overall-Appeal (40 Points)
- Harmonization of flavors, textures – how components fit together.
- Is the ubi flavor well highlighted?
MECHANICS
- 12 slots will be opened for the home cook competition, namely:
– 4 slots for Soup competition
– 4 slots for Appetizer competition
– 4 slots for Main Dish competition - LGU must endorse a team, (2 to 3 members) to the Bohol Provincial Tourism Office through online registration via https://tinyurl.com/OEFHomecook. Participants from the last cook off will be given priority to start the ball rolling and to give them a chance to further hone their skills.
- Upon registration participants are required to upload a softcopy of their recipe. This recipe should include the name of the dish and precise measurements for all ingredients.
- Competitors will draw by lot to determine what dish they shall cook.
- Each team will bring to the venue their prepared and precooked signature dish highlighting the Ubi which will be plated at the venue for judging (15 minutes plating). (4 identical plates – 3 for judging and 1 for display)
- Two (2) PRELIMINARY WINNERS will be chosen per category that will compete for the actual cook-off in the afternoon of the same day.
- The preliminary winners shall integrate to their cooking the inputs of the judges during critiquing.
- The dish must be completed within the allotted cooking time. The dish must be served and displayed at the end of the time limit.
- Each team must prepare four identical plates for the dish – 3 for judging and 1 for display.
- All participants are obliged to wear proper cooking attire during the cook off. (e.g. hairnet, gloves, apron, etc.)
TEAM MEMBERS:
– Head Cook
– Assistants (maximum of 2 only)
COOKOFF:
– Time Limit: 1 Hour and 15 Minutes
– 5 Minutes – Strategizing
– 15 Minutes – Preparation (mise-en-place)
– 1 Hour – Cooking – (includes plating)
INGREDIENTS & EQUIPMENT:
- Each team shall provide all of their cooking ingredients, including cooking utensils, equipment, plates and cutlery.
- The Bohol Tourism Office will provide a table top cooker to the 6 teams that will cook in the actual cookoff.
JUDGING:
Three (3) professional chefs will judge the competitions. They shall judge based on Execution, Formulation, Appearance and Taste.
CRITERIA:
Execution (25 Points)
- Proper use of cooking methods.
- Skill displayed by home cooks- includes cooking methods and techniques..
- Adherence to hygiene and safety measures.
- Timing and use of allowed time.
Formulation (20 Points)
- Pertains to the recipe design, its originality, innovation, and use of local ingredients.
- This also includes how innovatively ubi is used in the recipe.
Plating/Presentation (15 Points)
- Overall visual appearance.
Flavors, Tasted, Textures, Overall-Appeal (40 Points)
- Harmonization of flavors, textures – how components fit together.
- Use of proper sauces and flavors.
- Are items cooked correctly? Have they achieved the proper consistencies, doneness, etc?
- Is the ubi flavor well highlighted?
WINNERS:
- There will be 1 WINNER for each category for SOUP, APPETIZER and MAIN DISH. (Cash prize of Php 25,000 each)
- The FIRST RUNNER UP for each category will receive a cash prize of Php 12,000 each.
Non-winning teams shall be given a Consolation Prize and a certificate of participation. (Php 5,000 each
