SM Hypermarket Master Chefs

I am sure by now you will agree with me that people no longer just eat to eat. With the advent of social networking sites, blogs, even vlogs, people now do more than eat - they (or we, because I am one of those) plan where to eat, take pictures of foods before they eat it, and some people now even gather recipes and / or explore the kitchen more by whipping up tasty dishes.

So many companies putting up products for consumers, so many restaurants opening up to cater to the taste buds of emerging foodies, and so many students now wanting to enter culinary schools to hone their cooking talents more. SM Hypermarket knows how diverse the food industry is now, so on their 10th anniversary, they aim to create milestones via their SM Master Chefs Program.

Together with 19 Master Brands: Knorr, Nestle All Purpose Cream, Unilever Food Solutions, Tabasco, Lee Kum Kee, Lady's Choice, Maggi, Clara Ole, Kikkoman Soy Sauce, San Remo, McCormick, Bounty Fresh Chicken, CDO, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, Purefoods Star Hotdog, Magnolia Cheeze Spread, Magnolia Purefresh, Magnolia All Purpose Cream and Magnolia Dari Creme, they launched the SM Master Chefs, an event made up of three components, set to make a foodie history.

First of those three components is the the SM Master Chefs Cooking Marathon. Every week from July to September, SM Master Chefs will conduct series of cooking demos touring SM Hypermarket branches all over the nation. These cooking demos are not only for entertainment, these will also serve as a venue for people who want to cook.

Last Thursday, I was invited to watch the cooking demo at SM Hypermarket in SM City Fairview. Using Lee Kum Kee products, chef Deejay Santos, a graduate of LaSalle College in Antipolo as well as a graduate of Center for Culinary Arts Manila, whipped up three dishes: Spicy Prawns in Hoisin Sauce, Delicious Chicken in Lee Kum Kee Soy Sauce, and Oriental Pasta Delight. I liked chef Deejay's ways of presenting the dishes... not only did he cook great tasting food, he also imparted some helpful tips to his audience. It truly was one educational program.

Aside from the Cooking Marathon, other two components to this program is the Kitchen Makeover and the Supersized Cook-Off set in five different location, featuring a regional dish. Something I look forward in watching. :)

As for the Kitchen Makeover, all you needed to do to qualify is to have at least p500 single purchase receipt with any of the products taking part of this program. Filling up a registration form (which you can get at the Customer Service Counter), you must supply your complete name, address, age, occupation, contact number(s), signature, and a written answer (50 words or less) to the question: "Why does my kitchen deserve a makeover?" You also need to attach 3 clear printed photo of your home kitchen. Five lucky winners will be selected and will have a kitchen makeover with the help of Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID).

Our family is about to do grocery shopping today, and I will try my luck, as our kitchen really needs a makeover.

*** Jenn ***