The Electrolux Wok-a-holic Kitchen Star Cook-off Finale Day

In an unexpected turn of events, the underdog of all of the chef aspirants yesterday is now the grand champion of Electrolux Wok-a-holic Kitchen Star! Congratulations, Rigette Osoteo, for bagging this year's title! You and your blog-partner Aylin Vedad deserve it! :-)


After the heart-shattering comments that Rigette received from the judges yesterday, she still made it to the Top 6 to compete with the other 5 Kitchen Star hopefuls on this year's Electrolux Wok-a-holic Kitchen Star. Together with her blogger-partner, Aylin, they whipped their way up beating Izza Quintos and Carl Valenzona, Georgia Shirar and JR Bustamante, Roki Ferrer and Enzo Luna, JM Darlucio and Iris Pulga, and Rosarie Peñaflor and John Bueno.


It was surely an intensifying afternoon for all of them as well as to the judges and audience who waited patiently for their assigned dishes. The 6 remaining participants were divided into three pairs for this finale, and with two Kitchen Star aspirants per batch, they were given a 45-minute alloted time to prepare and cook their dishes.

For the first kitchen battle, where Izza and Mommy Georgia go head to head, their dishes were conceptualized by Chef Jonathan Bautista. Izza prepared a Vegetable Bouillabaisse, since she and her partner Carl are both vegetarian, while Mommy Georgia cooked a Stir-Fried Prawns with Tofu on Red Sauce.

Vegetable Bouillabaisse and Stir-Fried Prawns with Tofu on Red Sauce

For the second kitchen battle, with dishes conceptualized by Chef Rosebud Benitez, the Roki picked Seafood and Vegetable Stir-fry, and the grand champion Rigette rustled up a Chicken Coconut Stir-fry.

Seafood and Vegetable Stir-fry and Chicken Coconut Stir-fry

And for the final kitchen battle, where Rosarie made a 45-minute Old School Paella,  JM prepared was assigned to Seared Tuna with Vegetable Ribbons and Citrus Soy Butter Sauce. Both dishes are Chef Bruce Lim's recipes.

Old School Paella
and Seared Tuna with Vegetable Ribbons and Citrus Soy Butter Sauce

Judges were given time to taste every dish after cooking, same goes to some few media members who are going to award the Media's Choice award.


I've been a part of the judging team for media last year, so I have an idea as to how things works now. And I must tell you, it is not an easy job! Hehehe. But it was exciting because we get to taste all of the dishes cooked.


Just before the announcement of winners based form the judges' decisions, were asked to award our Media's Choice Star to the one who we think deserves it, and base from all the tasting that I went through that day, one dish that really stood out. My star goes to Rigette too. :-)


Electrolux also awarded Tara-Daryll's Team for bagging the People's Choice Award. Each of them took a sweet Electrolux appliance! Congrats, guys!

Blogger Daryll Villena

And now, after some minutes, it seemed that the judges agreed with us, media judges, because just like us, they think Rigette really did well on her simple dish - Chicken Coconut Stir-fry! And with that, congratulations again, Rigette!


Roki Ferrer, with his teammate Enzo Luna, placed 1st, while Rosemarie Peñaflor took home the 2nd Place award with her blogger-partner John Bueno. And as for the runner-ups Izza, Georgia and JM, they didn't went home empty-handed because they received a certificate too and some awesome Electrolux appliances!


From the first day of the boot camp til this day, everything was such a fun-learning experience. It is, by far, the most exciting Electrolux Wok-a-holic I've been to, not just because I've been a part of it, but also I get to know different people - a lot of people - who share same interest as me, and by that I'm considering myself a winner too.


Another prize that I got to enjoy from this year's Electrolux Wok-a-holic Kitchen Star was I get to mingle with my favorite TV and Food personalities whom I have high respects. Thank you and congratulations, guys! Without you here, this competition wouldn't be as fun, exciting and learning as it was. :-)

Me with Winnie Corder (top), Chef Rosebud (left),
Chef Bruce (center) and Chef Jonathan (right)

And to Rigette, well, we can't wait to hear about your own restaurant and baby!!!! Congratulations to you and best wishes! :-)


Me with Electrolux Wok-a-holic Kitchen Star
Grand Champion Rigette Osoteo

More pictures here.

Thank you and congratulations to the whole team of Electrolux! 
Til the next Electroluc Wok-a-holic Kitchen Star!!! :-)



1 comment

foydi said...

I remember this event and it was a spectacular one! Thanks for this blog post! It brought back wonderful memories. :)