May 2018 – Hospitality and restaurant management schools around Metro Manila once again gathered and proved themselves who among them are the true winners in the 2^nd GRAND Skills Competition. The event was hosted and held at the Rosemary Ballroom, 31^st floor, of City Garden GRAND Hotel.

Situated at the heart of Makati Business District, City Garden GRAND Hotel is the first 4-star hotel of City Garden Hotel Group. This established hotel is one of the top hotels in Makati by TripAdvisor and top choice hotel for business and leisure travellers seeking accommodations in Metro Manila’s liveliest city. Whether for staycations, business meetings, or celebrating special moments, City Garden GRAND Hotel offers a new level of experience to suit every occasions.

The universities and colleges that showcased their talents and competence in the 2nd GRAND Skills Competition are Far Eastern University, Lyceum of the Philippines University, National University, Philippine Women’s University, and University of Sto. Tomas.  With these year’s levelled-up competition categories, schools battled against “Table Setting with Centerpiece”, “Food Art”, “Gourmet Student Meal” and “Bartending/Cocktail Mixing”.

Winners of the competition were carefully and critically judge by respected and well-known hospitality and food and beverage practitioners which are Mr. Jordan Tan, F&B Director of Ibarra’s Event and Party Venues, Ms. Ma. Princess Jill Meneses, Asst. Professor, Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management of the University of the Philippines Diliman, Mr. Jason Hussein Ali, 2018 Bacardi Legacy Champion, Chef Dennis Peralta, Executive Chef of City Garden Grand Hotel and Chef Michael ‘Miko” Aspiras, Esquire Magazine’s Chef of the Year and Owner/Pastry Chef at Le Petite Souffle’.

The schools that exceled in the “Table Setting with Centerpiece” category, 3^rd Place goes to Ardan, Alyssa Mae L., Donque, Ellona Angelika and Elevado, Tristan of the National University, 2^nd Place was awarded to Calvin Kyle E. Malavi, Mhaviryusuke E. Sato, and Roma Alysa Sanchez of the Far Eastern University and 1^st place was bagged by the defending champion and last year’s winner, Jan Willies Dayaon, Derick Derpo and Elysian Aromin of the University of Sto. Tomas.

For the “Gourmet Student Meal” the participants exhibit their cooking skills and creativity in turning their everyday student meal to a culinary worthy dish by using “canned tuna” as the main ingredient. 3^rd place are Joel Ian Hilario and John Edward Mendoza of the University of Sto. Tomas, 2^nd place was given to Bon Kerwin Venturina and Francis Edward Cabantoc of National University, and the 1^st place was won by Michael Angelo D. Grantoza and Alden Milloren of the Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Moving on to the “Food Art” category with the theme “Flores de Mayo”, participants who did their best are Parica Diane of National University who got 3^rd Place, Mc Kevin P. Caguia of Lyceum of the Philippines University  bagged 2^nd place and the 1^st place winner was Christine Villamoran of Far Eastern University.

And lastly, the participants that shines with their summer booze mixes in the “Bartending/Cocktail Mixing” category are, 3^rd place winner Lynchor Fate E. Dimaculangan of Far Eastern University, 2^nd place goes to Noelle Anne R. Fajardo, and 1^st place was given to Jem Elijah Malonzo of Philippine Women’s University. “Ele’na”, the cocktail mix of Mr. Malonzo will be featured at Firefly Roofdeck as the “Drink of the Month”.

The winners of the 2^nd GRAND Skills competition received cash prizes, gift certificates and gift items from City Garden Grand Hotel. The event was also made possible by its sponsors Happy Living Philippines Corporation and Cybersound Professional Lights & Sounds.

The GRAND Skills Competition made it to the 2^nd year because of the success it made from the first competition. City Garden GRAND Hotel, one of the top hotels in Makati, organized the skills competition to give students from the hospitality and food and beverage department the opportunity to experience working and exhibit their talents in a real industry set-up.  For more information about the GRAND Skills Competition you may contact (02) 888 8181 or email prmanager@citygardengrandhotel.com