Kessler’s, the new premium brand of raw ingredients in the Philippines, concluded last month its first-ever cooking competition, Kessler’s Pamana: Turning Stories and Recipes to Life-long Legacies.
More than the promotions of Kessler’s Alkalized Cocoa Powder, the competition’s aim was to give aspiring non-professional bakers and cooks the chance to make their recipes and stories into legacies. Kessler’s Pamana was co-presented by Hamburg Trading Corp, Kessler’s Kitchen, Tecnogas Philippines, and Besterm International Corporation. The event was also sponsored by All About Baking, KitchenAid Philippines, and WhenInManila.com.
The final cook-off was held on Nov. 23 at the Kessler’s Kitchen in Sta. Rosa Laguna, where the top three finalists presented their signature cocoa dishes — John Pineda’s Pan de San Antonio, Ralph Steven Sarmiento’s Chocolate Kalihim, and Charlene Pacis’ Ultimate Chocolate Cake.
Judges were chef Chris Paredes, a consultant of Kessler’s; Cara Pauline Dino, R&D specialist of Hamburg Trading Corp; Lenie Bermudez, president of Hamburg; and Horst Kessler von Sprengeisen, chairman and founder of Hamburg and the man behind Kessler’s. The final cook-off was hosted by Gianna Kessler von Sprengeisen, VP for marketing and PR of Hamburg, daughter of the chairman and founder.
Before the announcement of winners in the afternoon, the finalists attended a specialized The Kitchen Sessions by Kessler’s Kitchen for passionate bakers/cooks and entrepreneurs. Topics tackled were product costing by Santiago Andaya, branding and marketing by Apple Allison, product development by Cara Pauline Dino, and mindset setting by chef Chris Paredes.
Gianna Kessler announced the very first Kessler’s Pamana grand champion — Ralph Steven Sarmiento and his Chocolate Kalihim Recipe. John Pineda was first runnerup and Charlene Pacis took second place.
Ralph took home a Tecnogas gas range with built-in oven, a nine-speed KitchenAid hand mixer, P3,000 worth of various baking equipment from All About Baking, P8,000 cash and a one-year supply of Kessler’s products.
