Two chefs from Visayas are now qualified for the nationals of the Solane Kitchen Hero Chefs’ Edition, a nationwide cooking competition which aims to recognize a new generation of local talented chefs, after they won their respective regional competitions.

Chef Mario Sembalante from Cebu City bested nine other contestants in the seventh regional leg of the said culinary competition with his winning dish, Cebu Surf and Turf — malunggay crusted Visayan deep-sea cod fish with a millet risotto crust and local ingredients such as Mango Wine from Argao and homemade fish chicharon with Cebu chorizo foam. On the other hand, Chef Jimmy Boy Basa was hailed as the winner of the Eastern Visayas leg thanks to his pickled turnips and beef strips with authentic coconut wine/Bahalina tuba.

Both of them will compete with other regional winners in the national competition round with P100,000 cash and a culinary trip to Japan at stake. Solane Kitchen Hero Chefs’ Edition is sponsored by Midea, Jolly, Jolly Heartmate Canola Oil, Dona Elena Olive Oil, Dona Elena Al Dente Pasta, Masflex Cookware, Ajinomoto, King Sue, Anvil Publishing, Philtranco, Fastcat, and Chef Plus.