Culinary Fight Fests, Saucy Samplings and A Chicago Farewell

By: Lou Maningas Cabalona

 

Iron Chef, Chopped, The Great British Bake Off even Worst Cooks In America! Who doesn’t love watching a cooking contest where you feel like you’re watching a soap opera unfold while also (hopefully) learning culinary tricks from the experts?

Now, imagine, if you get to be part of the action LIVE as a taste-testing juror with the most promising Chefs in the Midwest! This is the premise of the Culinary Fight Fest, a national cooking competition presented by Culinary Fight Club now on its second season.

Last Month, I had the chance to experience the Chicago leg of the 2nd annual divisional tournament at the Hard Rock Café downtown that kicked off the next epic fights in Kansas and Atlanta later in the month.

As one of the guests, I sampled possibly over 15 different delicious signature bites of Chef hopefuls – from a hearty home-cooked jambalaya to Crispy Smoked Short Rib stuffed with Jalapeno Mac and Cheese — and carefully weighed who deserved each of my four votes that would help them get into the top 4 overall crowd favorites. The 4 top picks will then move on to the 2nd round throw down in a 30-minute battle.

Two out of my four picks ended up in Top 4 and It was mesmerizing to see how each of these culinary artists whipped up scrumptious looking dishes with salmon, the choice ingredient for the day in under an hour. Without having tasted any (I had my fill for the day), I was sure all of them deserved to win!

In the end, Chicago celebrity Judges, the breakfast queen herself Ina Pinkney, Rosebud Restaurant Group Executive Chef Massimo Gaffo and Barn and Company Pit Master and author of Low and Slow BBQ 1 and 2 Gary Wiviott declared Chef Mark Gaylord the CFC Eastern Division Champion.

Congratulations to the staff of CFC for successful Fight Fest, especially to Founder and CEO, Jiwon McCartney who also reminded everyone that proceeds to the event and all other Culinary Fight Club event help to Fight2Feed, a 501(c)3 not for profit organization that has fed over 30,000 people since its launch in 2014.

For more information about future Culinary Fight Fests, check out CulinaryFightClub.com

Sriracha Sampling Party at the Rock N Roll Mc Donald’s

Last Aug 31st, Ascene Chicago and McDonald’s teamed for an Exclusive Sampling of the NEW McDonald’s Sriracha Mac Sauce at the 2nd floor of the downtown Rock N Roll McDonald’s. Guests had an unlimited supply of fries and nuggets to dip into the hot saucy goodness and received goody bags with #McSpicy shirts and coupons for free signature craft burgers on their next visit.

DJ Virgil7 brought the hot beats as Ascene Founder Lily Kim and Mr. USA United Nations Derek Tokarzewski kept the mood chill.

Farewell Dinner for Consul General Calonge

Wishing Consul General Generoso D.G. Calonge all the best in his future endeavor as he concludes his seemingly too short assignment with the Chicago Philippine Consulate General. To thank him for his years of service to the Filipino American community in Chicago and the Midwest, Baron and I invited our ConGen to a very Chicago dinner at the Michael Jordan Steakhouse downtown.

Lots of good conversation ensues while enjoying a 45 day aged Delmonico.

While we may not see each other stateside anytime soon, it is our hope that we can continue the communication and hopeful partnership in pursuing his proposal of Filipino Americans answering to the call of conducting medical/surgical mission to Least Developed Countries like East Timor as part of the project of the Technical Cooperation Council of the Philippines. Both Baron and I hope that our organization, the League of Volunteers for relief Expeditions can take part in the next two years.

Louella Maningas Cabalona is a singer, actor, and Senior Manager for Business Analytics, Sears Holdings. She is the lead singer of the Filipino Folk band, SamaSama Project; an active Board member of the League of Volunteers for Relief Expeditions and the Young Business United and is one of the inaugural delegates of the FYLPRO Immersion program of the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC. She is passionate about sharing Filipino culture in the modern world and actively supports all outstanding Filipinos around the globe. If you would like to connect, email louellarose@gmail.com

Ryan Jordan, Chef Frank Kwiatkowski and Judge Gary Wiviott of Barn and Company, Chicago

Chatting with the Chicago Food celebrity, Ina Pinkney of Ina’s Kitchen

Posing with CFC Eastern Division Champion Chef Mark Gaylord after his win and Chef Mossimo Gaffo of Rosebud
Restaurants

Taking a break from the activities of the day, Culinary Fight Club Founder, Jiwon McCartney and event emcee Anthony Martorina chat with Louella

Lily Kim of Ascene Chicago, Almira Yllana, Mr. USA United Nations Derek Tokarzewski with Louella and Baron
Cabalona at the Mc Donald’s Sriracha Mac sampling party downtown

Baron and Louella Cabalona with Consul General Generoso Calonge during his farewell dinner at the Michael Jordan
Steak House