3 participants exhibit their talents in cooking savory, delectable delicacies as well as showing off their mastery in the craft of cooking through featuring mango as the main ingredient of the scrumptious food they contend on the Cooking competition held yesterday, May 18, 2022 at the New City Hall.

Magkan da kita sa Isla! As one of the important produce in the Island Garden City of Samal and as stated in the mechanics of the competition, mango was the main ingredient used by the 3 contenders in the dessert and main course category. The panel of judges including the Admin Officer of the Department of Tourism XI, Ms. Vanezza Mane V. Serrano, the Pearl Farm Beach Resort Operations Manager, Mr. Aldrin T. Cepe and the Captain Barboza Restaurant Sous Chef, Mr. Erroll S. Laudato, deliberated and finalized the line-up of winners after tasting the delectibles.

In the Dessert category, the winning delicacy, Chicken Mango Salad, of Seaside Eatery and Catering Services secured the 1st place and a cash prize worth 3,000 pesos. The 2nd place and cash prize worth 2,500 pesos goes to The Dreamer for their tasty dessert, Sweet Chocolate Mango Pudding with Rice Crisps. Lastly, the 3rd place and cash prize worth 2,000 pesos goes to the Celebration Events for their delightful dessert, Samal Mango Delight.

In the Main course category, the 1st placed and cash prize worth 6,000 pesos was bagged by the scrumptious dish, Grilled Malasugue with Mango Salsa, of Seaside Eatery and Catering Services. The second place and cash prize worth 5,000 pesos goes to the Celebration Events for their delicious food, Sauteed Seafoods Con Mangolicious. Lastly, the 3rd place goes to The Dreamer bringing home a cash prize worth 3,000 pesos for their palatable Shrimp Mango Polenta. Also the contenders received certificates for each categories.

Samal Island also thrived in bountiful harvest of mangoes. Emphasizing the exposure of Mango in the competition is a way of exemplifying its vitality in the economy of IGACOS and in the livelihood of Samaleṅos. (CIO-IGACOS/Writer: Eli Onada/Photos: ChristianJuntong)