HANMI lauds Saipan’s junior hotel chefs
Junior chefs Nestor De Vera and Eduardo Gabito of Fiesta Resort & Spa won 1st place in the Certified Angus Beef ® Chefs Competition on May 30, 2015, at the Taste of the Marianas. The team won $500 from HANMI and in-kind prizes. (MVA)
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands lauded Saipan’s junior chefs in awarding the winners of the Certified Angus Beef ® Chefs Competition at Saturday’s Taste of the Marianas International Food Festival & Beer Garden.
Six HANMI member hotels participated in the event, with Nestor De Vera and Eduardo Gabito of Fiesta Resort & Spa capturing first place with their entry Tamales Beef Albondigas in Noni Salsa Sauce. In second place were Rommel Villaviza and Arnold Capuli of Mariana Resort & Spa. Finishing in third place were Chelsea Cummings and Hannah Strong of Hyatt Regency Saipan.
“Our annual Chefs Competition is an excellent opportunity to encourage our up-and-coming chefs to showcase the results of their training,” said HANMI Chairwoman Gloria Cavanagh. “It’s also an opportunity for them to develop and test their creativity as chefs as they prepare their recipes.”
In a nod to the Marianas’ rich Spanish history, this year’s theme for the Chefs Competition was “Marianas Albondigas,” featuring Certified Angus Beef ® Chuck Ground. Chefs also created their own fresh sides that will include local starches such as breadfruit, sweet potatoes, yam, or plantains. Entries were judged on appearance of the beef, tenderness/texture, and presentation of theme.
“I have to admit that among the participating hotels, the Chefs Competition is also a little about bragging rights,” Cavanagh added. “We’re very proud of our culinary leadership and staff, and we strongly encourage young people of the Commonwealth to consider a career in culinary. HANMI hotels need good chefs!”
The winners received cash prizes ($500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place) from HANMI and Certified Angus Beef ® products.
“Triple J Five Star Wholesale Foods takes great pride in organizing the Certified Angus Beef ® Chefs Competition every year,” said general manager Jay Santos. “Usually, the executive chefs for the hotels get all of the attention, so it’s nice to see the junior chefs come out and compete with their peers. As distributors of the very best brand of beef in the Mariana Islands, it is also an opportunity for us to support the very hotels and chefs that we partner with every day.”
HANMI celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and has over 1,600 employees. The winning recipe is posted on the anniversary Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HANMI30. (HANMI)
