The main dish for the contest was Certified Angus Beef with local ingredients. Saipan World Resort’s island treasure box on top of an orange-skirted table bordered with flame tree flowers, a sandbar, a gingerbread house, a small lagoon with live fish swimming in it, torches to light the island, and delectable rolls of flavorful Certified Angus Beef served in coconut husks and perched on top of stick breads woven in a firm matting garnered 159 points.
It bested four other contestants.
The sight of Certified Angus Beef being cooked slowly inside small wooden chests on top of burning hot stones attracted the attention of the audience.
Saipan World Resort chefs Rommel Villariza and Roland Santos said they did not expect to win.
“I think our edge is that everybody else served their menu in the traditional way of preparation. We came up with a unique presentation, and everybody in our team pitched in,” Villariza said.
Saipan World Resort finished 5th in last year’s competition.
Chefs Joel Linaogo and Eduardo Gabito Jr. of the Pacific Islands Club bagged second place with a total of 151.5 points, followed by Hafa Adai Beach Hotel with 148.5 points.
Hafa Adai Chef Samson Tan prepared Certified Angus Beef bottom round flat ala Wellington in red wine sauce.
The two other contestants were the Hyatt with chefs Asperin Uden and Jessie Aguon who prepared the Certified Angus Beef sirloin bottom flap, and Fiesta Resort & Spa chefs Evaristo Estabillo and Alfredo Capacio who prepared the spicy BBQ beef rolled in titiyas with two kinds of sauce.
Guam’s Food Guy Ken Stewart, who was one of the judges, said choosing the winner was big challenge.
“Everybody did well, and it was wonderful to see such artistic creativity, imagination, and skills of chefs only found on Saipan,” Stewart said
The other judges were Mike Johnson, Angel Demapan, and Teresa Kim-Tenorio. The winners received trophies and cash prizes.
Saiapn World Resort local sales and marketing manager Mike Babauta said it was a great honor to win both bartending and chef’s challenge competitions.
“We’re happy for the efforts that the whole team put in,” Babauta said.
