Culinary students in action at the Umami Culinary Challenge

Our taste buds usually know these basic tastes: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and hot. Though there remains an understated one that waits to be fully tapped: umami. It is usually described as a rich, savory, meaty, and modest taste brought upon by foods rich in glutamate such as seafood, tomatoes, soy sauce, and meat. Actually, Umami's origin dates back as early as the year 1908. It was discovered by Dr. Kikunae Ikeda of Tokyo Imperial University, while researching the strong flavor of seaweeds.

In its efforts to heighten umami awareness, Ajinomoto Philippines, recently held its first interschool Umami Culinary Challenge (UCC) at the A. Venue Hall in Makati City. The competition involved culinary students from 19 schools around the country.

Lasting for almost a whole day, the event tested the capabilities of hopeful cooking masters to whip up gastronomic fare. It also challenged students to push the envelope further by executing good food preparation workmanship coupled with grace under pressure. They didn’t just navigate the potential of umami, but also applied what they learned from school to start proving their worth in the competitive world of cooking.

“Students need a venue to showcase their talents and skills,” shares Helen Lim, Senior Manager for Ajinomoto Philippines’ Public Information and Communication Department. “We need to nourish and really support this kind of inherent talent in the students in terms of culinary expertise,” Lim furthers.

As cooking utensils were finally set aside, the winners were announced. Lyceum University of the Philippines, Batangas City bagged first places for the Best Filipino Umami Dish and edible Tabletop Centerpiece categories. Centro Escolar University garnered top awards for the categories of Healthy Asian Umami Market Basket, Umami Buzz Challenge, and Umami Bowl Award. The winner for the Best Umami Bento Meal went to the College of the Holy Spirit.      

However, Dwight Joshua Dumale from the University of Perpetual Help Las Piñas managed to get probably the most desired award in the competition: the Umami Master 2009.

“The most coveted award and UCC’s showcase competition; the Umami Master 2009 seeks Pinoy-land’s own Umami Masters.  Umami chefs are starting to emerge across the world and we don’t want to be left behind,” explains UCC competition director and food expert Nancy Reyes-Lumen.

Lim relates to the Manila Bulletin that she hopes the competition will  again be held next year.