National Bento Making Contest in the Philippines
It’s funny that I keep a bento blog, live in the Philippines, and yet is one of the last people to blog about the upcoming Bento Making Contest sponsored by the Japan Foundation.
Sponsored by the Japan Foundation Manila, The National Bento Contest was created to encourage culinary creativity among Filipinos through the fusion of Japanese Bento and Filipino cuisine. Open to both culinary students and ordinary food aficionados, contestants will be required to prepare a single person bento for the competition. For complete rules, please visit the Japan Foundation webpage.
Anybody interested? If you are joining, let us know so we may cheer you guys on. As they say in Japan, “Gambatte!”
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Seriously, though, why don’t you join? It’s not a ‘live’ event so you won’t get cold feet during the actual contest. I really think that it would be a great experience for you. You can just post if you’re happy about your entry but you don’t have to tell us if you fail to qualify. I really feel that you can do it. You’re one of the best bento advocates the Pinoy blogosphere has seen
Oh! I think you would do great!
The bentos you make are always so impressive!
oh my, sila ang matakot sa yo! you will surely give them a run for their money! ikaw pa! youll bring home the bento, este the bacon, for sure. hands up, este, down! kidding aside… sige na, join! even just for the fun and experience of it. wala naman mawawala diba!
You should go for it! You bentos are nothing to be ashamed of. They are awesome!
Thanks for the vote of confidence everyone! Still, I need to think about this long and hard.
(And yes, I edited the post, I just realized, upon rereading that it sounded like I was fishing. My apologies if it appeared that way, that wasn’t the intent, really.)
That’s funny, I didn’t even know about the “J-Taste at the Shang” event. I think you’ve got nothing to lose, plus the cash prizes are great!
I don’t know the first thing about finding bento-specific materials here, though! (I would only know to start looking at pathetic Japanese delis and the P88 store.)
i was gonna say the same thing, why not join? if anything, it’ll be a good exposure.
You should do it! The only part that wrinkles my forehead is why do they encourage anyone to join but require that you send in a copy of a TESDA certificate or letter from culinary school dean? How would a non-food related enthusiast be able to get those documents?
You’re definitely on the forefront of promoting bento among your readers. Far more than the Japan group.
Kao, I hope you join as well! You’re an In”Bento”r of fine home cooking away from home! XD
I’ll even go to the competition to see your entry if you want!
@manggy
Manila’s quite a good place to look for bento stuff, as long as you look hard enough. ^_^;;
@abby
Thankies for the vote of confidence. You are right about the nothing to lose part but still—hwehwehwe. The butterflies, they’re all in my stomach! At the very least, it’s still two months away so I can weigh all my options.
@Mila
Thanks! And I agree with you about the culinary certificate thing. I wish they had separate divisions for pros and amateurs. Despite all my experience with quick bento preparation, when it comes to actual cooking, I’m sure the real pros will blow me away with their fancy preparations and studied techniques. Me? I just fry ready-to-cook stuff and scrounge for leftovers at home. I guess that’s one of the reasons why I’m reluctant to join.
@Drew
Let’s wait and see. ^_^;; 2 months left to decide!
yup, you should join, kaoko-san! you have a big chance of winning. (great chance to promote kitchencow.com, too :D)
this was supposed to take place earlier this year (as part of the nihongo fiesta), but it was cancelled indefinitely. that is, until this announcement. yay!
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the original contest had 2 categories:
Ekiben (short for eki bento, train station bento) - Applicant/s must be current students of culinary arts
Chara-ben (short for character bento, animation character or any image of Japan) - Applicant/s must be current Nihongo students affiliated with Japan-oriented organizations/business firms and/or current students of Philippine-based language institutes
I’m still kinda iffy about it, must think hard. See, for me, preparing bento isn’t just about cooking good food, in my case, there’s a time factor involved since I usually prepare it in the mornings before leaving for work. So a lot of times, it involves the use of instant food or leftovers from the night before. I don’t really think it’s feasible to cook 1 matchbox-sized pork adobo which looks like what it’ll have to be for the contest. Will have to wait and see
go go kao-san! we’re here to cheer you on. =D i hope you join! good luck!!!
Thanks! Will let you guys know if I pursue it. ^_^;;
GO KAO!!!!
Hehe. Bahala na.