Sabor Victorias cook fest set Dec. 13

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD CITY — The stage is set for the Sabor Victorias Cook Fest 2025, a community cooking competition sponsored by Victorias Milling Company, VMC Foundation, and Victorias Foods Corporation in celebration of the annual Kalamayan Festival.

The event is scheduled for Dec. 13, 2025, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Victorias City Public Plaza.

It will bring together teachers, parents, and students from VMC Elementary School and Victorias National High School–Canetown Annex.

Each school will field five groups.

Each group will be composed of one teacher or nonteaching staff member, one parent and one student.

Organizers said the Cook Fest aims to promote the use of VMC food products, encourage creativity in cooking, strengthen community relationships, and help raise funds for beneficiaries.

All cooking ingredients, including VMC food products, will be provided free of charge.

Participants must prepare a creative, safe-to-eat dish within a 2- to 3-hour time frame ending at 9 a.m., using their own cooking utensils.

Dishes will be sold to the public, with proceeds supporting school and community initiatives.

Food selling will conclude at 11 a.m.

To ensure fairness and quality, the contest will follow a detailed judging system.

The criteria include originality, creativity, and uniqueness at 20 percent.

Flavor combinations will account for 20 percent.

Technique and innovation will carry 15 percent.

Visual appeal will be worth 20 percent.

Effective use of VMC food products will have the highest weight at 25 percent.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three groups.

All participants will also receive token incentives.

Special recognition will be given to groups with outstanding creativity or sales performance.

Ten groups from the two schools have officially registered, including representatives from both teachers and parent communities.

Student participants range from elementary to high school, showcasing a diverse mix of culinary creativity and school involvement.

Participants are required to follow health protocols and wear proper cooking attire, including gloves, aprons, and hairnets.

No MSG, artificial coloring, or plastic packaging will be allowed.

The Sabor Victorias Cook Fest 2025 is expected to highlight Victorias City’s rich culinary culture and strengthen ties among the VMC school communities.

By promoting creativity and teamwork, the event aims to carry forward the Kalamayan Festival’s legacy of unity and celebration.