Let the Sandwiching Begin...

Ten top universities in the country in one ginormous events' place, all vying to offer "The Next Big Sandwich Hit."

Including Adamson University, Far Eastern University, La Consolacion College, National University, Philippine Women’s University, St. Paul Quezon City, St. Scholastica Manila, University of the East, University of the Philippines, and University of Sto. Tomas, these ten schools chose their best students from their Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), culinary and other similar programs to go head-to-head and take home the title that will add prestige and delight to their respective schools and universities.

Gardenia Bakeries Philippines Inc. (GBPI), the country's pioneer in unique bread distribution system, recently held the second year of their highly-anticipated culinary school competition, "The Next Big Sandwich Hit", last September 25, at White Space, Makati.

Aiming to not only promote the healthy goodness of eating sandwiches but also to teach the young culinary students the value of hard work and to likewise develop their entrepreneurial skills, "The Next Big Sandwich Hit", tested the creativity, innovativeness and endurance on this year's Elimination Round.

Tougher and more improved than last year, during the just concluded Elimination Round, a total of 50 student teams, 5 from each university, joined the Sandwich Showdown Eliminations. Only one team per school will advance to the next round, the Business Trial Round and finally, the Finale. The three judges with the difficult task of choosing the final ten were Chef Jeremy Favia, Chef Tristan Encarnacion and Chef Nino Logarta.

Chef Jeremy Favia

“It was a really tough and arduous competition as each of the 50 teams had to battle it out head to head till only 1 team was left standing per school.  What made  the Elimination Round doubly harder for our judges was the choosing and the tough decisions that they had to constantly make throughout the whole Elimination Round.  All of the original sandwich recipes were truly delicious and masterfully done by all of the 50 student teams but in the end there could only be one team representing per school,” said Thea Tan, Marketing Manager of Gardenia.            

The Elimination Round was divided into to themes, the "Power Sandwich" and the "Wild Card Sandwich." The "Power Sandwich,” is a full-meal sandwich that used any or a combination of the following Gardenia Breads: Gardenia Classic White Bread; Gardenia High Fiber Wheat Bread; Gardenia High Fiber Wheat Raisin Loaf; Gardenia Wheat Cranberry Loaf; Gardenia Slim n Fit Wheaten Bread; Gardenia Wheat Pandesal; Gardenia Premium Pandesal.

While the "Wild Card Sandwich" is a sandwich that best defines a Happy Bread Day sandwich. This theme let the contestants use any or a combination of the following breads: Gardenia Classic White Bread; Gardenia High Fiber Wheat Bread; Gardenia High Fiber Wheat Raisin Loaf; Gardenia Wheat Cranberry Loaf; Gardenia Slim n Fit Wheaten Bread; Gardenia Wheat Pandesal; Gardenia Premium Pandesal; Gardenia Flavored Breads.

Each team had to present the two sandwich recipes – one full-sized sandwich per theme and 8 bite-sized sandwiches for the judges, the media and the general public for tasting.  Besides the sandwiches, each team also had to present the recipe and equipment used as well as the product costing prior to the start of the competition. Each team was given 40 minutes to prepare their sandwiches.  Taste, interpretation of the theme, and food plating and presentation were the main criteria for judging. 

"In the end, after all the hard work, sleepless nights and perseverance, the ten adjudged Elimination Round winners are now ready to proceed to the next round – the Business Trial Round and finally, the Finale. Making a sandwich has never been this competitive and challenging and I wish the best of luck for each of our ten contestants.  In my book, you all deserve to be champions," Tan concluded.

The Finale of this exciting and tummy-filling culinary competition will happen on 18th of October at SM Mall of Asia - Music Hall.

Happy Bread Day!