SM Master Chefs' Cooking Marathon at SM Hypermarket, SM Marilao

We all know that Filipinos love to eat. During birthday celebrations, anniversaries and special gatherings that members of the family sit-down and discussed what food to prepare. I consider food one of the favorite topics to talk about. During meals, we discussed important matters . We forget our problems and heartaches when we are enjoying a slice of delicious chocolate cake or creamy cheesecake. That's how food changes one's emotion and mood. That is why I love to eat, it changes my mood and gives me a better perspective in life.
 
SM Hypermarket celebrates its 10th year, and part of this big event is the launching of the SM Master Chefs, an event made up of three components; grand Cooking Demonstration, Kitchen Makeovers and set of Cook-offs at five different locations with the help of local government units presenting regional dishes.

Mark your calendar from July to September, twice a week in three (3) months, SM Master Chefs will conduct a marathon of cooking demonstrations and will tour SM Hypermarket branches all over the nation. This program will not only serve as a source of entertainment, but also as a venue for culinary discovery for people who love and appreciate cooking.  

Using nineteen (19) master brands that are familiar to every cook, mothers and foodie like me, SM Hypermarket will change the usual eating habits to a more pleasurable one: Knorr, Nestle All Purpose Cream, Unilever Food Solutions, Tabasco, Lee Kum Kee, Lady's Choice, Maggi, Clara Ole, Kikkoman Soy Sauce, San Remo, McCormick, Bounty Fresh Chicken, CDO, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog, Purefoods Star Hotdog, Magnolia Cheeze spread, Magnolia Purefresh, Magnolia All Purpose Cream and Magnolia Dari Creme.

Aside from that, five lucky shoppers will win a grand KITCHEN MAKEOVER. To join, simply present a single receipt ( worth Php500)  with a purchase of any from the master brands. Fill-up the registration form which are available at the Customer Service Counter and attach three photos of you kitchen. Don't forget to answer the question, "Why does your kitchen deserves a makeover?"

Tuesday, July 12 – A simultaneous event happened at selected SM Hypermarkets in Manila and nearby provinces. I was lucky to be invited to witness the Cooking Marathon held at SM Hypermarket, SM Marilao.  Since I am just a town away from Marilao, there's no reason I should miss this event.

Our Master Chef  who came all the way from San Idelfonso, Bulacan impressed the crowd when he prepared two delightful recipes using Nestle All-purpose cream and Clara Ole.

That day, the wet area at SM Hypermarket become a bit crowded with guests from Meycauayan and Manaoag Colleges, (both in Bulacan) Senior Citizens from Saug and shoppers. 

Chef Eddieson De Ocampo is a former champion of 2009 Super Chef Challenge and Grand Finalist of SM Super Chefs 2010. He is a professor teaching Culinary Studies and HRM at Fernandez College of Baliwag.

Chef Eddieson De Ocampo

I like the way he presents the program, he never forgets to give important techniques from preparation to actual cooking. He also asked the students topics which are related to their studies and the food he prepares, just like inside classroom. Chef Eddieson gives cooking tips to mothers paying attention on sanitation and preventing food contamination. 

Mushroom Antipasto in Red Sauce with Malungay leaves - antipasto means "before the meal" and is the traditional first course of a formal Italian meal. Chef Eddieson uses mushroom - a traditional antipasto with local ingredients pork chop, onion, garlic, bell pepper, butter, Tomato sauce, Nestle All Purpose Creme, salt and pepper, Malungay leaves or spinach, siomai wrapper and cooking oil.

The sauce fits on the Mushroom Antipasto using only the following ingredients: garlic and bell pepper and malungay leaves or spinach, adding Clara Ole and Nestle All Pupose Cream. It gives a different twist on the usual vinegar-soy sauce we use for dumplings.

Mushroom Antipasto prepared by Chef Eddieson De Ocampo

Students from Manaoag College and Meycauayan College knows that food presentation is the key in gourmet cooking.Our aspiring and future chefs showed off their skills in food plating.

The second recipe may look complicated but was actually very easy to prepare and cook. Using Philippine's tropical fruit like mango, you can make a delicious creamy and unique recipe called Chicken in mango sauce. He said that we can also use fish or pork instead of chicken. The mango itself does not overpower the flavor of sauce and chicken.

Chicken in Mango Sauce prepared by Chef Eddieson

It was another journey to gastronomic adventure, learning from the Pro is another experience to cherish. 

More great recipes coming at SM Hypermarkets so catch the Cooking Marathon Schedule.

If I win a kitchen makeover ( Philippine School of Interior Design) it will inspire me to cook and stay more on my kitchen which blogging might be set-aside. I will definitely join and register!