PH’s sisig tops them all at DC Embassy Chef Challenge

5498 – Philippine Embassy Chef Abie Sincioco-Mateo (center) won 1st place in both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice categories at the 2018 Embassy Chef Challenge held at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center on 17 May 2018. Joining her are renowned Filipino Chef and restaurateur Jessie Sincioco (right) and Ivan Gonzales (left) who concocted the “black and gold” beer cocktail. CONTRIBUTED

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Chef Abie Sincioco-Mateo of the Philippine Embassy bagged 1^stplace in both the Judges’ Choice and People’s Choice categories of the 2018 Embassy Chef Challenge last May 17 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center here.

Chef Abie proudly served pork “sisig,” a traditional Filipino dish of grilled or broiled chopped meat, seasoned with calamansi (the Filipino lime) and hot chili.

Paired with a special “beer cocktail” that combined San Miguel Pale Pilsen with San Miguel Cerveza Negra, the “great pork dish from the Philippines” won the hearts of the judges and guests.

Chef Abie Sincioco-Mateo prepares to serve pork “sisig” to ECC judges and guests. CONTRIBUTED

Out to prove that Filipino food is one of the best in the world, Chef Abie Sincioco-Mateo described the secret ingredient that made all the difference in her winning dish – it was “full of love.” She also highlighted the beautiful presentation and the exceptional taste of the dish that earned it the top awards of the night.

“Tonight’s outcome shows that Philippine cuisine is certainly being recognized in the American mainstream, and the ECC provided us a good platform to further showcase our unique cuisine that testifies to our country’s beautiful and diverse cultural heritage,” said Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez.

This is the third time that the Philippine Embassy participated in the Challenge. Guests were treated to a wide variety of food and drinks prepared by various embassy chefs at Washington’s much-anticipated and top culinary event.

Other ECC 2018 winners were the Embassy of Ghana who earned the 2^ndplace in both the Judges’ and People’s Choice categories; the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti who took home 3^rdplace in the Judges’ Choice; and the Embassy of Colombia who won 3^rdplace in the People’s Choice category.

Guests enjoying pork “sisig” and San Miguel beer. CONTRIBUTED

The Best Beverage award went to the Embassy of Barbados and the Best Dressed Embassy was awarded to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Renowned Filipino restaurateur and chef Jessie Sincioco and the Philippine Embassy team assisted Chef Abie all throughout the competition.

The Philippine Embassy’s participation in this year’s Embassy Chef Challenge was generously supported by Bistro 1521, Tito Al’s Choice, US-Philippines Society, and Datu Puti.

Chef Abie Sincioco-Mateo (right) and Chef Jessie Sincioco (left) at the Philippine Embassy booth. CONTRIBUTED