Renowned Chef June Alviola Fernandez and his co-chefs, Lyndon Librado and Ramir Salonoy, captivated the audience at the “Revolutionizing The Culinary Worlds: A Fusion of Specialty Cuisine, Artistic Food Styling, and Molecular Gastronomy” seminar held at the CTU Bantayan Extension Campus on February 24, 2023.
Chef Fernandez shared his incredible journey, which took him from being an ordinary boy to becoming a world-renowned chef who has explored the culinary world in various countries.
During the seminar by BS Hospitality Management and BTLED students, Chef June highlighted the importance of supporting local farmers. He showcased his brand, “Idolokal,” which promotes local products from different places in Cebu. He is also the chairman of the Chef Association Cebu and a grand champion from 2006 to 2014 in Cebu in the World Association Chefs Societies.
In the morning session, Chef Fernandez took the audience on a virtual tour of South and North Cebu, highlighting each dish’s diverse food and presentation. He introduced delicacies from different towns and cities, such as Talisay’s lechon, Argao’s torta and tablea, Bogo’s pintos, and Liloan’s masi and rosquillos.
In the afternoon session, together with co-chefs Lyndon and Ramir, demonstrated food styling and designs, emphasizing that cooking is connected to emotion. They showcased their techniques in food presentation, such as flambé and smoke effects, creating a visually pleasing dish that combines colors and complementing elements.
Overall, Chef June Fernandez and co-chefs Lyndon and Ramir inspired the audience to embrace local cuisine and elevate it into gourmet dishes. Their presentation highlighted the importance of sustainability and food presentation in making every dining experience memorable. The seminar was an extraordinary opportunity for aspiring chefs and culinary enthusiasts to learn from the best in the industry.
Words by Girlie Fariola