The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and the Department of Tourism (DOT), in collaboration with the Asian Food Channel (AFC) showcased the beauty and diverse culinary offering of the country in the third season of The Amazing Food Challenge: Fun in the Philippines that started to air on AFC last December 22, 2015.
From the UNESCO Heritage Site in Banaue, to festive Quezon down to the tuna capital GenSan and other parts of the Philippines, 12 individuals from all over Asia faced challenges where their endurance, wit, and culinary skills are put to the test to compete for $50,000 worth of prizes. Hosted by renowned celebrity chef, Aaron Craze, The Amazing Food Challenge: Fun in the Philippines is a fun adventure trip for the contestants as they wade through rough waters and cook up delectable regional Filipino cuisine as they transfer to each leg of the challenge.
The show does not only feature heritage local dishes but at the same time also helps feature the country’s unique culture and sites that hopefully will help boost our tourism. “We are pleased to be working with AFC as we eagerly await the third season. The contestants will experience a vast array of what the Philippines has to offer and we are happy to share the great wonders of the Philippines with all of AFC’s viewers,” says TPB chief operating officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III.
“The Amazing Food Challenge: Fun In The Philippines is a unique concept that combines the exhilarating world of food and travel with competition and reality,” explains Scripps Networks Interactive Asia Pacific managing director Derek Chang. “We believe this to be the most entertaining season yet as we deliver exciting new personalities competing fiercely to demonstrate their culinary skills while testing their limits for adventure against the backdrop of the physical beauty and rich cultural heritage of the Philippines,” he adds.
The show was launched to international media in Singapore last year and was attended by the show’s new host, Chef Aaron Craze, and resident judges Chef Fernando Aracama and Chef Rob Pengson, including Chang and TPB’s Lito Jones, Arnold Gonzales and Geraldine Juachon.
Contestants who have undergone quick culinary education while filming the challenges of the show are not only pressured with competing with the others as they traveled every region, they also had to learn how to prepare traditional dishes in their most authentic form. In each place, they are shown how particular dishes are made, then taste them and study the dishes but only for a small amount of time. They were also given tasks to shop for local produce at the nearby palengke or talipapa and then recreate the recipes. The judges also served as mentors, engaging in dialogues about some of the local ingredients mostly foreign to the contestants.
So, who will emerge the champion? Catch The Amazing Food Challenge: Fun in the Philippines 3 every Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. on Cignal Ch26, Dream Satellite TV Ch27, SkyCable Ch22 and Ch248, and Destiny Cable Ch22 and Ch72 to see who had the most fun in the Philippines and who will take home the pot money.
For updates visit www.asianfoodchannel.com/shows/the-amazing-food-challenge/ or follow Asian Food Channel on Facebook.