COHARA celebrates 21st Kumbira

From November 22 to 23, the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA) celebrated the biggest and longest culinary show and competition in Northern Mindanao titled, “Kumbira”. With savory and sweet delicacies up for show in its various competitions, Kumbira 2017 hinged its theme on “Eat Right” to further its cause on advocating for healthy eating with the use of local ingredients.

This year, Kumbira invited esteemed chefs in the culinary scene such as Norbert Gandler, Myrna Segismundo, Eduardo Tuazon, Raul Ramos, Michaela Makabenta, Robby Goco, Cheong Yan See, and Jean-Pierre Migne to serve as the board of judges. With schools as far as Cabadbaran, Iligan, and Naawan, 10 schools from all over Northern Mindanao participated in the student division, while 11 joined the kiddie and junior divisions. Meanwhile, well-known and rising establishments filled the professional and open divisions, which included Pane E Dolci, Limketkai Luxe Hotel, Mia’s Cakery, and more.

Taking over the junior category, Liceo de Cagayan University nabbed the top two spots with one silver, bronze, and a gold from another group under Liceo’s banner. Bugo National High School was found at a tie with Liceo de Cagayan University Grade School with 1 silver each.

Continuing their winning streak, Liceo de Cagayan University Grade School flooded the Kiddie Category results, placing in the top three spots of the competition, and finding themselves at a tie with Kinoguitan Central School in third place.

In the open category, Pane e Dolci Co. reigned supreme with 3 silvers, and 1 bronze, while Cafe Pilar sweeped the second place and third place results with a total of 4 silvers.

For the professional category, Limketkai Luxe Hotel nabbed the top spot with one gold, and one bronze, followed by Mia’s Cakery with one gold and one silver. Meanwhile, Apple Tree Resort and Hotel with one bronze shared third place with Mindanao State University-Maigo School of Arts and Trades, with one silver.

Sweeping a number of medals, Father Saturnino Urios University sat comfortably in first place in the student category, with 2 golds, 1 silver, and a bronze. Meanwhile, Liceo de Cagayan University placed second with 4 bronzes, and 1 silver. Taking third place in the student category, Mindanao State University at Naawan claimed 2 silvers, and 1 bronze.

Closing with some remarks from Kumbira Judges Norbert Gandler, and Myrna Segismundo, the two have been staple judges in the competition. In its 21 years, Segismundo highlighted the beauty that lies in the local ingredients found in the city markets, and the city’s dishes that can rival even those from international restaurants. With a culinary show as big as Kumbira, discovering these dishes has begun easier and easier every year.