Kusina ni Kambal caterer also served us lunch
We have recently visited the Pinoy MasterChef house which serves as the temporary home of the Top 14 Cooks of the first ABS-CBN kusinaserye.
Myra – Chef Accountant of Muntinlupa
We also got to know the Top 14 cooks in a personal level in the same visit. But NomNom Club got extra close to some of them and even tasted their dishes. Here are six of them up close.
The Ladies
Ivory – the Bubbly Cook
We first met Myra. She is an employee by day and wife & mom by night. The Chef Accountant of Muntinlupafirst worked her way around the kitchen when she was still little. Her forte are home-cooked meals as she now cooks for her family of two.
With her in the room is Ivory. As a nurse, her parents initially wanted her to become a doctor bur her love for cooking made her pursue her culinary passion. Aside from that, she loves to eat, as she herself claims.
In contrast to other cooks and chef who prefers not to fully consume what they have cooked and leave it to guests, she likes eating what she has prepared. Her bubbly character will also help you enjoy your meal.
Myra has prepared a black and white chocolate crepe which served as a complementary dessert to the Italian-inspired potato-based masterpiece by Ivory. As much as Myra’s crepe was ok, Ivory’s dish was outstanding.
Myra’s Crepe & Ivory’s Potato Entree
Mac – the Kitchen Mac-Kulit of Tarlac
The Gentlemen
A former seaman, the Kitchen Mac-Kulit of Tarlac seem to be the jolliest of them all. I wasn’t initially sure if this is to compensate for his broken marriage, but I think Mac is naturally a happy person.
Ronnel – Boy Labong of Pampanga
Our second male cook is Ronnel. He is your typical husband from the province of Pampanga who is not surprisingly good in cooking and cooks over an open fire using twigs.
Known as the Boy Labong of Pampanga, he is the reserved type but have the looks for showbiz.
Tolits – Chief Cook of Police
Sorsogon’s Chief Cook of Police, Tolits, wanted to take up Fine Arts in college but was not able to because his family couldn’t afford it, and it was only in cooking where he was able express his passion for art.
He eventually joined the police force while being in charge of cooking tasks at home for his family as it was not the forte of his wife.
Ronnel prepared a very good tasting sisig which he claims to have prepared in the traditional way, Kapampangan style. Tolits served us a simple but also good-tasting shredded meat on bread. Mac, surprisingly and out-of-character, crafted a leche flan.
Ronnel’s Sisig (left) & Mac’s Leche Flan (right); Tolit’s Dish is Top Photo
Cons – Kitchen Siren of San Juan
The light-hearted conversation led us to Mac’s love-interest among the Pinoy MasterChef Top 14. He confessed his childish attraction to Cons. This led our group of media to interview Cons on our way downstairs.
Known as the Kitchen Siren of San Juan, Cons once auditioned in Pinoy Dream Academy to become a recording artist. A disease, however, temporarily damaged her voice and deterred her from reaching her dreams. This set off her love affair with cooking and has since then vowed to master cooking.
However, she cleared that Mac is just a friend.
Who do you think will be crowned as the first Pinoy MasterChef and will win the P1 million grand prize? Who will stand out?
ABS-CBN MasterChef Pinoy Edition
Pinoy MasterChef Top 14 Cooks
Catch MasterChef Pinoy Edition and the Top 14 cooks as they cook their way to their dreams, Mondays to Fridays, 10:30 a.m. before Be Careful with My Heart on ABS-CBN’s Umaganda block. Follow them at Twitter @MasterChefPHL, www.masterchefph.tv, and www.facebook.com/MasterChefPH.
Late morning shows of ABS-CBN currently lines up Kris TV, Please Be Careful with My Heart, and Showtime. Starting today – November 12 – a new ingredient will be added with the first kusina-serye MasterChef Pinoy Edition.
MasterChef Grocery / Sari-sari Store/ Stock Room
The MasterChef Pinoy Edition will be hosted Ms. Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Chefs Fernando “Ferns†Aracama, Chef Rolando “Lau†Laudico, and Chef JP “Jayps†Anglo who are reprising their roles as host and judges from the previous Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition.
The newest version of the popular cooking reality show will give ordinary people from different generations, places, and economic backgrounds a chance to showcase their cooking prowess and overcome life’s challenges to reach their dreams.
Now, here are the 7 ingredients to watch-out for in the new MasterChef Pinoy Edition:
1) Judy Ann Santos
Undeniably, teleserye queen Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo (top photo) is the key ingredient on making this show a success. From the trailer that I saw in the recent presscon, Judy Ann’s hosting style and her capability to relate to the lives of the MasterChef aspirants brought about what the show intended to.
Kusina-Serye
2) Kusina-Serye Twist
One major factor local cooking-show followers would notice with the Pinoy MasterChef show is the heightened focus on the personal lives and emotional relationships of the cooking aspirants.
Yes, it is a deviation from the usual franchise format of the MasterChef you see in cable. Hence, it was also placed in the time slot just before lunch mainly to target the home-based mother and female audience. So don’t be surprised if you see them crying while cooking.
As much as it was a surprise to me, I think this is ABS-CBN’s way of making it suit more to the Filipino taste by touching their hearts at the same time appealing to the palate.
3) Expert Chefs
Chef Judges Chefs Fernando “Ferns†Aracama, Chef Rolando “Lau†Laudico, and Chef JP “Jayps†Anglo
Having proven themselves that they can also do wonders beyond the kitchen and into the tube, Chef Fernando “Ferns†Aracama, Chef Rolando “Lau†Laudico, and Chef JP “Jayps†Anglo are are back!
Unmistakably, they lend the expertise on the show’s main subject of cooking as they sample and critique the dishes.
Mystery Box
4) Fierce Competition
They ain’t kids anymore. Considering the adult participants, the chef judges said they will now be tougher with their judgement and straight to the point in their comments.
The screening of MasterChef hopefuls is expected to be filled with thrill and drama as Judy Ann, Chef Ferns Aracama, Chef Lau, and Chef Jayps will be more stringent and honest with higher expectations. They also expect the chef amateurs to reason out or defend their dishes.
“The challenges will definitely be harder. We will be more blunt in giving comments. To be a good chef, one needs to endure all the hardships.†says Juday.
5) P1 million
The emerging winner who will be able to prove himself or herself in the kitchen will become the very first Pinoy MasterChef and take home P1 million.
MasterChef Pinoy Edition Kitchen Studio
6) Reality Show
Reality Show
More than being a cooking show, MasterChef Pinoy Edition will give viewers a taste of ‘reality’ by housing the finalists under one roof. With a hint of ‘Pinoy Big Brother,’ the aspiring cooks will will have to blend with others, foster new bonds and conflicts, and experience success and defeat with each other.
Moreover, there will be a showcase of easy-to-prepare Filipino recipes, cooking demos, and home management and health tips.
7) MasterChef Saturdish Edition
Watch out for Melai Cantiveros and Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition 4 housemates Joj and Jai Agpangan on MasterChef Saturdish Edition as they embark on fun food adventures.
Join them as they discover and whip up extraordinary dishes as well as give out cooking tips and trivia.
Catch MasterChef Pinoy Edition on Nov 12
Get updates from www.facebook.com/MasterChefPHL, @MasterChefPHL on Twitter, and website www.masterchefph.tv. Catch the premiere of MasterChef Pinoy Edition later at 1030am (Monday, Nov 12) before “Be Careful with My Heart†on ABS-CBN’s Umaganda block.