May 31, 2012 – It was a rainy afternoon when I went to Romulo Cafe in Makati City to meet the Knorr Chef Ambassadors. A cooking demo was conducted by the Filipino top-chefs who spilled out their expertise in making traditional Filipino dishes more innovative and modern.

The chefs, with the help of Knorr products help Filipinos to create special dishes that will go extra mile for their families. It was nice to know that all the recipes in the cooking demo can be easily cooked at home, making our usual “ulam” very special and more exciting.

Products used by the Chef Ambassadors

Knorr Chef Ambassadors

Knorr became very mindful in choosing their partners in product and recipe development. And they just had found these individuals who have passion for good and healthy food, coupled with an uncompromising commitment to excellence in what they do.

The roster of Knorr’s chef ambassadors were Chefs Marvin Agustin, Tristan Encarnacion, Martin Jackain and Dianne dela Cruz, with the newest addition to Knorr’s list of chef-ambassadors – Joseph Patrick Anglo. He was one of the judges in the recent Junior Master Chef Philippines. Together, they are able to create unforgettable recipes that highlight what Knorr products can do for every dish.

Knorr Sinigang MixKnorr Sinigang Mix

Knorr Recipes

Knorr Chef Ambassadors

The chefs prepared their signature recipes with the help of Knorr productsto bring out the best on each dish.

Chef Marvin shared his expertise in cooking with his Pinakbet ni Marvin. Chef Marvin made the traditional pinakbet special by topping it with lechon kawali/liempo, making a balanced combination of meat and vegetables.  The flavors of vegetables accentuated with shrimp paste became more brilliant after adding with Knorr Shrimp Cube. Most of the recipes are easily accessible making it really easy to do.

Another celebrity chef made his way on making a remix of the Sinigang and Bulalo recipe. Chef Tristan combined these two Filipino dishes in Sinigang na Bulalo. Sinigang and Bulalo are two of my favorite Filipino soups and I never thought I can have them in a single dish. The sour flavors of tamarind using the Knorr 2-in1 Sinigang sa Sampalok Mix neutralized the fatty taste of the broth.

Knorr Cubes

Chef Dianne also made fish recipes delicious by teaching us on how to make a mouth-watering Escabeche recipe, a Filipino style of sweet and sour combining vinegar and sugar and blends the taste of ginger that makes it one of the favorite dishes of the Filipino families. Chef Dianne added Knorr Fish Broth Cube to enhance the flavor of Lapu-lapu and make it tastier that usual.

Chef Martin also showcased his mastery in cooking by preparing Organic Sagada Rice Paella With Seafoods, a rice dish full with exciting flavors of different seasonings and topped with the mixed flavors or the ocean. Aside from the different seafoods, this dish tasted perfect because Chef Martin used organic Sagada rice. His secret ingredients are the Knorr Chicken Cube and the Knorr Shrimp Cube.

Knorr Recipe Website

Chef Jayps prepared his own version of ginataang kalabasa and made it more special with the help of Knorr Ginatang Mix, Knorr Chicken Cubes and Knorr Sinigang Mix. He upgraded it into Lechon Kawali with Rosted Pumpkin Gata. Everyone is familiar with this recipe but who would have thought of putting lechon kawali on it and making it a memorable recipe? Oh well, I just love the combination of the crispiness of lechon kawali and the creaminess of the coconut milk.

* Story and Photo by Noks Sosa of SiningFactory.com

Every recipe made by the Knorr Chef Ambassadors were awesome and Knorr products enhanced it further. It’s actually a good idea to have an easier way of preparing good food that our family can enjoy any time. Check more Knorr Recipes at knorrrecipes.com.ph

Spicy Tuna Salad

Now a Celebrity-Chef, Marvin Agustin opens yet another branch of his Sumo Sam Japanese restaurant; this time at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City

Ebi Tempura

Continuing to share his passion for creative Japanese food, Marvin Agustin led the grand launch and opening of his 11th Sumo Sam branch in Gateway Mall last week.

Covered by traditional media and bloggers, Marvin Agustin also exhibited his skills preparing tuna sushi.

He also cut across a loooong roll and had the crowd taste what Sumosam had to offer.

Sumo Sam Gateway Mall Staff

Classy and Funky Interiros

Sumosam Fusion Japanese Cuisine

Sumo Sam Menu

Sumo Sam Japanese Restaurant

Sumo Sam Gateway Mall boasts of a 100-seating capacity dining area and a modern-classy interiors. For the menu, you should not miss the grilled seafood and steaks, rolls, sushi, tonkatsu, with its top 3 best sellers ebi tempura, beef teppan, and chicken teriyaki.

I can still remember Sumosam’s Samurai’s Choice Bento Meal I got to try a few months ago at the Greenhills Town Center branch. Back to the Gateway branch, I also got to try the Hot Prawn Salad,  Spicy Tuna Salad, and Tuna and Pink Salmon Sashimi. They were all good although I was used to the Hot Prawn Salad Chinese style which is hot and with cream. Sumosam’s is more on the traditional-natural salad type.

Sumo Sam Hot Prawn Salad

Chicken Terriayki

Tuna and Pink Salmon Sashimi

Brief History

Celebrity Chef Marvin Agustin

Sumo Sam is on a roll this year with a target of no less than 20 branches in total by the end of 2012. A brief look at the past reveals Sumo Sam as having been conceived by 3 young entrepreneurs: in the persons of Raymund Magdaluyo; Ricky Laudico and Marvin Agustin. They accomplished this together with renowned chefs: The Chef of the stars – Chef Florabel Co-Yatco; Chef Nikki Nicolas, pioneer batch of , and Chef Benjamin Gonzalez.

I’m surely coming back to Sumo Sam Gateway Mall soon. Visit them at the 2nd floor of The Gateway Mall, in Cubao, Quezon City