13TH ADOBO FESTIVAL of Cinco de Noviembre 2010

CINCO DE NOVIEMBRE Celebration

Negros Cultural Foundation features

13th Adobo Festival

at Balay Negrense, Silay City

It was a sunny and fun Friday morning as culinary enthusiasts, chefs, restaurateurs and foodies come together for the Negros Cultural Foundation’s Adobo Festival as it marks its 13th year with the 112th Cinco De Noviembre at the historical Gaston house Balay Negrense, Silay City.

 Very special guest for the event was famed restaurateur Margarita “Gaita” Araneta-Fores who was welcomed by Silay City Mayor Jose “Oti” Montelibano and his First Lady Madam Marissa and NCF President Lyn Gamboa.

Gaita Fores hastily shared that she came from her family’s hometown Bago City as they also celebrated Sigabong for their Cinco’s activities. Gaita, a nick she preferred, talked about how she was excited about the Adobo Festival and technically “invited herself” to this year’s festival. 

“I love Adobo and I must admit I got my inspiration from Adobo for most of dishes that I made for my restaurant. Adobo has reached tables internationally. And now I come here to enjoy and most probably to learn from the contestants and with you,” she said in her short message to fellow Negrenses.

Fores alongside Sugarland’s Chef Datu Pendatun, Joe Chan of BISCOM, Gerardo Veloso and the festival’s originator Lynell Gaston judged the 17 entries for the Adobo Cooking Contest. Robert Harland’s Adobo Crevette A l’Anglaise was given the First Prize and Leanna Marie Severino’s Adobo Pasta ranked Second and Third to Cicero Bayle’s Angus Adobo with Sweet Ham.

The newer Muscovado Cooking Contest on its 5th year now was joined by 13th entries from all over the province. Judges were Kring Locsin of Sugarland, Felicia’s Chef Vincent Macasa and Institute of Culinary Arts De La Salle’s Chef Richard Ynayan. The Muscovado Sampler by Jason de Oca was hailed First Prize. Other entries which also placed were the following: Cookies by Paul Benedict Castillo (2nd) and  Butter Cream Silvanas by Victor Dumancas (3rd).

NCF President Lyn Gamboa beamed with pride as the festival this year also gave way to several interesting sidelights such as the free food tasting of Nature’s Village’s Buffalo Adobo with Mango Chutney, Silay Manuglibods, Kitchen Art Exhibit and a Gourmet Adobo Demo by Chef Datu of Sugarland Hotel. All of these activities of the garden party were warmly participated and received by the hundreds of Negrenses who flocked this year’s celebration. Gamboa hopes to see more newer faces next year for the 14th Adobo Festival.