25 July 2013, San Juan City - Ms. Ner Chelene G. Babaran of the School of Nutrition and Hospitality Management (SNHM) of Centro Escolar University - Manila won the Grand Prize during the Veggie Cooking Contest “Go na Go sa Gulay!” conducted by the National Nutrition Council-NCR in partnership with the Nutritionist-Dietitians’ Association of the Philippines, Inc. (NDAP). The cooking contest participated in by BS Nutrition and Dietetics students was held at the San Juan Gymnasium in San Juan City as part of the 39th Nutrition Month celebration in the region.
Ms. Babaran's veggie dish, “Tokwa’t Saluyot sa Gata”, won over the recipe entries from the other universities that joined the contest namely, Emilio Aguinaldo College, Our Lady of Fatima University – Valenzuela, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, St. Scholastica’s College – Manila and University of the East – Manila. Ms. Babaran’s coach/trainer is Professor Lindsay J. Alvarez.
The veggie cooking contest aims to encourage nutrition students to develop veggie recipes that can be shared to the families in the communities, particularly those with malnourished children, to encourage them to eat vegetables. The veggie dishes should be nutritious, easy to prepare and low cost with only five (5) main ingredients. During the competition, the contestants displayed their culinary skills in preparing their respective dish entries.
The Board of Judges was composed of Dr. Adela Jamorabo-Ruiz, NDAP President; Ma. Paz L. Sales, Department Manager of Food and Nutrition Support Services Division of St. Luke’s Medical Center in Global City, Taguig; and Ms. Femilina R. Tuazon, Nutritionist-Dietitian III of the Makati Health Department. The dishes were judged based on palatability/taste (25%); use of nutritious ingredients (25%); originality (20%); visual appeal (15%); and ease of preparation (15%).
All the contestants and their respective trainers were each given a Certificate of Participation and token. Grand Prize winner Babaran will receive her plaque and cash prize during the Regional Nutrition Awarding Ceremony on August 29, 2013.
