Don Papa Rum Combines the Cocktail and Culinary Worlds in One Exciting Competition

Don Papa Chef and Shaker Competition challenge chefs from the local dining scene and bartenders from some of the hottest bars in town to team up and create the best food and cocktail pairing. A hybrid concept seamlessly integrates the equally wicked worlds of gastronomy and mixology, the Chef and Shaker Competition was launched on March 25 at Lampara in Poblacion, Makati.

“When we first launched Don Papa the first people who really jumped on the brand were actually a lot of foodies: chefs and pastry chefs as well,” shares Don Papa Rum co-founder Monica Llamas-Garcia. “They were the first ones who got what we were trying to do with the brand, so, that relationship has always been there since the beginning,” she says referring to food pairing.

“Because of this insight, we’ve actually found that there is a great relationship between gastronomy and mixology,” notes Andrew Garcia, co-founder of Don Papa Rum.

The competition, which started in the Netherlands, has been done twice in Amsterdam, and most recently in Italy and France. Monica stresses the importance of cultural exchange, as Don Papa is a global brand and is available in 21 countries. “The great thing here is that we’ve opened ourselves up to other markets, we also opened ourselves up to other ideas,” she shares. “We saw that it was an opportunity to build a cultural exchange. The great thing about it is that these Chef and Shaker winners come over here to the Philippines, do some guest shifts, and get exposed to where Don Papa is from, and they get to learn more than just the brand, but also where the brand is from, the people behind it, and the country behind it.  So, we found that there’s an opportunity for cultural exchange that way.”

She also sees the competition as an opportunity to showcase local talent to a global audience. “We have been exporting our product, and for four years, we’ve been doing an art competition because we’ve been using our availability in other markets to be able to promote Filipino art,” she explains. “So, about time we use our platform to promote Filipino mixologists and chefs and introduce them into the markets that we’re in.”

“The Don Papa Chef and Shaker Philippines 2019 aims to get local talent to create the best food and cocktail pairing, with our brand, Don Papa Rum,” says Erica Larkins, Don Papa Rum Brand Manager. “Apart from their talent, the winners must be able to have the balance of presentation, taste, the harmony of the food and cocktail pairing, as well the brand use and story behind the food and cocktail that they will be presenting on the competition day.”

Five teams, each composed of a chef and two bartenders will battle it off for the title. The chef will be preparing one dish that each of his bartender teammates will be making a cocktail for. The pairing with the highest points wins the title. They are given some time to brainstorm and prepare and were given a list of ingredients available at the Don Papa pantry that will be available for them on competition day. They are allowed to bring one secret ingredient to jazz up their entry and will be executing their dish and drinks ideas fresh on the day for the panel of judges, composed of esteemed people in the food and beverage industry.

The five teams are:

Team Tarsier

RJ Ramos – Chef and Co-Owner, Lampara; Kiara Opeda – Bar Manager, Limbo; and Arnel Sulangsawa – Bartender, Rambla Salcedo

Team Carabao

Josh Boutwood – Chef and Owner, Savage; Eric Jacildo – Bartender, Polilya; Raoul Cornelio – Bartender, Alegria

Team Hummingbird

Tom Basco – Chef, M Dining; Jann Annis – Bartender, Lobby Lounge at EDSA Shangri-La; and Renz Montoya – Bar Manager, Hacienda Comida y Cocteles

Team Gecko

Kel Zaguirre – Chef and Co-Owner, Locavore; Allius Abrazado – Bartender, The Peak at the Grand Hyatt; and Enzo Luna – Bartender, Run Rabbit Run

Team Slug

Francis Lim – Chef and Co-Owner, Tipple & Slaw; Jason Hussein-Ali – Bartender, The Peak at the Grand Hyatt; and Martin Protacio – Bartender, Edge at Discovery Primea

So what does it take to be the first Chef and Shaker Philippines winner? “It’s about hitting the marks,” says Monica. “Getting the taste, the presentation, right. Because at the end of the day, it’s about pleasing the palate. I think the ones who will come up ahead will be the ones who can capture a holistic offering. Something that tastes great, and looks great and people would want more of.”

Each entry should be good on their own, but what is more important is finding the best dish and cocktail that go well together. “One doesn’t ever overpower the other,” Monica states. “Like with pairing with wine and cheese. How a certain flavor just brings out certain qualities of a drink. And I think that’s what you look for in a pairing. They can be good on their own, but when they come together, it’s magic,” she adds.

Don Papa Chef and Shaker may be a competition, but camaraderie and teamwork are also an essential factor. “It’s all about the community,” she declares. “Everybody’s here to support each other. Even in our first iteration of a cocktail competition, it was more about celebrating the community and what everyone has to bring. That’s the great thing about the industry.”

The winning pair will get an all-expense paid trip to London Cocktail Week, guest shifts at trade venues, and £1,000 (roughly Php 68,600) pocket money.

Who will be the first Don Papa Chef & Shaker Philippines Competition winners? Find out on April 8 at Martin Place Social in Bonifacio Global City. It’s open to the public, so foodies and imbibers are encouraged to come and show their support and cheer for their favorites.

Follow the contenders’ journey at Don Papa Rum’s social media accounts @DonPapaRum on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Visit DrinkManila.com’s coverage on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube at @DrinkManila as we go behind the scenes and feature the contenders before and after the competition.

For more information about Don Papa, visit www.donpaparum.com.

Photos by Marvin de Guia