After grueling weeks of training and intense kitchen action, the new champions in the country’s long-running campus-based culinary search, JOLLY University (JU), are finally revealed.
In a frantic yet exciting finish at Le Pavilion Tent in Pasay City, four elite JU finalists competing in the various categories have outclassed rivals with their most creative, best-tasting JOLLY-inspired entries in the following categories: Bernice Angeline Tenorio of University of Sto. Tomas (Grand winner, Individual Category-Main Dish) for her “JOLLY Chicken and Mushroom Empanadilla”; “Fish Humba with Assorted Mountain Vegetables” by La Consolacion-Manila (Team Category-Main Dish); “Lyurot Crema E Manga Pasta” by La Consolacion-Batangas (Team Pasta Category); and “JOLLY Chestnut Cream Corn Twist Shak” by Lyceum of Subic Bay (Team Mocktail Category). La Consolacion College-Manila’s Arolf Gene Torres took home the Audience Choice award for his “JOLLY Mushroom Beef Meatball Kaldereta with Cheese Crust” entry.
“I’m so happy and honored to be chosen (from)among my fellow finalists. I dedicate my victory to my mom, whose recipe inspired me in coming up with a hearty, easy-to-do JOLLY-themed dish entry. I’m very thankful to JOLLY and Fly Ace Corporation for this unforgettable opportunity and for the memories, which I believe greatly helped me grow as a future chef and kitchen practitioner. As a graduating student, I regard this win as a very wonderful gift,” said Tenorio.
The Main Dish cooking champion is followed by Johann Christian Fonacier of Manila Tytana Colleges for his “Pigar Pigar with Tomato Mango Salsa and Crumbled Kesong Puti Soft Taco” dish and Adryx Ivan Royz Rafols of La Consolacion College-Manila for his “Tinuktok na Kabute sa Gata” entry.
The ultimate cooking finale has successfully attracted hundreds of supporters and participants from various universities from greater Manila schools including those from North and Central Luzon.
“One of the objectives of Fly Ace Corporation is to bring the best food and beverage brands from all over the world to the Filipino home and having this JOLLY University is one of the many activities where we aim to give back to customers and consumers. Fly Ace is quite passionate to help teach the youth. As they are the future chefs of the country, we feel it’s our responsibility to help train them in becoming better leaders,” said General Manager of Fly Ace Corporation Ramon Daez.
Celebrating the theme “It’s More JOLLY in the Philippines, held in conjunction with the Grand Cook-Off is the JOLLY Congress which features some of the country’s top industry practitioners and leaders: Leo de Leon of Allegro Beverage, life coach, author JC Libiran, Marilyn Pabustuan-Perion of UCPB, Karla Reyes of La Petite Fromagerie, Liza Morales of CCA Manila, Food Magazine editor-in-chief Nana Ozaeta, film director Ivan Payawal, nutritionist Cheshire Que, Vberni Regalado of Philippine Star, Jose Mari Oquinena of Gawad Kalinga, Chef Angelica Atanacio of Anghelica’s Desserts, Rebecca Lee of wheninmanila.com, and Bryan Kong of Crazy Katsu.
Games, freebies, and random raffle prizes were also given away to lucky audience members.
Now on its fourth successful year, JOLLY University offers student participants an unforgettable experience to develop their culinary, entrepreneurial, and leadership skills as future culinary and industry leaders. JU is an advocacy campaign by JOLLY Food Line, the No. 1 canned vegetable brand in the country. To date, JU has evolved into one of the biggest and successful culinary search events and pivotal learning platform for the Filipino youth.
“I thank all those who have participated and continuously supported JU’s mission throughout the years. This year, we have expanded our reach as more and more schools participate in this annual event. As we celebrate JOLLY Food Line’s 20 years, expect the brand to continue to provide Filipino consumers with nutritious and good quality canned vegetable and fruit products,” concluded Jun Cochanco, Jr., president of Fly Ace Corporation.