Pinoy chef sees victory at World Pastry Cup

The winning entry, by Chef Vicente Cahatol of the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines (Photo from the Facebook page of Chef Peachy Juban)

The Pastry Alliance of the Philippines (PAP) bagged the Best Ice Sculpture award at the Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie (World Pastry Cup) held on Tuesday in Lyon, France.

The judges of the highly-regarded competition were amazed by 36-year-old Chef Vicente Cahatol’s detailed execution in ice of an Aeta hunter, carrying a deer across his shoulders . Cahatol’s entry bested 20 others in the category.

Cahatol was part of a three-person team, composed of Chef Rizalino Mañas, 28, and Chef Brian Dimayuga, 24. All there chefs are form the Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

This year marked the first time ever that the Philippines qualified to join the contest.
At the end of the competition, the Philippines took the 12th spot among 21 countries. Italy came out in first place, followed by Japan in second, and the United States in third.

Last year, PAP  won the Asian Pastry Cup (APC), a renowned contest for the best and most talented pastry chefs throughout Asia, held in Singapore.  The APC competition is part of the pre-selection process for the World Pastry Cup.

The PAP team traveled to France with its support team and coaches:  Chefs Penk Ching, Jackie Ang-Po, Miko Aspiras, Buddy Trinidad, James Antolin, Peachy Juban and Dan Basilio.