Pataway Cookfest heated up Bayambang as nine teams across the municipality vied for the title of “Pataway Cookfest Grand Winner” as part of the celebration of 2023 Pista’y Baley Farmer’s Week held in Pangasinan State University (PSU) Bayambang Campus grounds on March 29.

Jovita B. Elorza and Raymund Pagsolingan of Quezon Blvd. dominated the competition, garnering a 90.00 average with their mouthwatering special buro with rolled pechay and deboned hito curry with coated mushroom paired with black garlic rice, earning them the title of “Pataway Cookfest Grand Winner.”

Allan de Vera and Mercedita Mejia of Buenlag 2^nd were pronounced as 1^st runner-up with their garlic-buttered mushroom fish sided with special buro. Realyn Esteban, Sally Esteban, and Nieves Joaquin from Warding sealed the 2^nd runner-up spot with their hito pasta and special tilapia with oyster sided with special buro.

The other participating teams included Brgy. Carungay, Zone 3, Apalen, Buenlag 1st, Nalsian, and Inirangan.

OIC Municipal Agriculturist Zyra N. Orpiano led the event with her opening remarks, followed by the inspirational message of the Chair of PSU’s TLE Department, Associate Professor Veronica C. Austria.

The Agriculture Office provided nine portable gas stoves intended for their cooking. To add a challenge for the contestants, in the style of the hit TV show, “Master Chef,” they were provided with nine mystery boxes containing different ingredients that represent Bayambang, which they could use in many different ways. The mystery boxes included hito, tilapia, shrimp, buro, various kinds of vegetables, and other fresh produce.

The contestants were instructed to create the most delicate dish that describes the culture of Bayambang. Participants in the competition were required to prepare one main dish and an optional number of side dishes for two hours.

To assess who are the best cooks of Bayambang, the competition was judged by Ms. Monica May B. Varilla, Mr. Felcris Z. Dy, Municipal Nutritionist Venus M. Bueno, Councilor Amory Junio, and MENRO Joseph Anthony F. Quinto. The judges based their decisions on the criteria given: 30% for taste and nutritional value, 30% for originality and creativity, 30% for relevance to the Bayambang OTOP concept, and 10% for overall presentation.

Jovita B. Elorza and Raymund Pagsolingan received P30,000, while Allan de Vera and Mercedita Mejia were awarded with P20,000 as 1^st runner-up. Realyn Esteban, Sally Esteban, and Nieves Joaquin received P10,000 as 2^nd runner-up. The remaining contestants were awarded each with P2,500 consolation prize for showcasing their talents in cooking.

(Photos: Francklin Benedict S. Gomez (SVCSBI); Jayvee Baltazar; LGU-PIO)