Previous Story
Aqua Resort is barbecue champ in Taste test
|
Posted on May 22 2006
Aqua Resort Club brought home the bacon in Saturday’s barbecue cookoff at the Taste of the Marianas, with demi chef Fernando Manuel being declared the champion in the Chef’s Barbecue Competition.
Assisted by sous chef Arnel Marquez, the two won the champion’s trophy with their “Flank Steak Achugao,” an inspired creation that mixed the casualness of barbecue with the élan of fine dining that captured the judges attention—and palates—to beat six other contestants from other island hotels.
The contest challenged the creativity and finesse of the participants in coming up with their unique takes on this island staple, using certified Angus beef and local ingredients. Besides Aqua Resort, other hotels that participated include Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan (two entries), World Resort Hotel, Hyatt Regency Saipan, Hafadai Beach Hotel, and Pacific Islands Club (one entry each).
Both 2nd and 3rd places went to Fiesta Resort and Spa Saipan.
For Manuel, though, the contest was not only with the other participants but also with himself. “I am proud that I have proved to myself I can do it,” he said. He also praised his colleagues at the Aqua Resort for all the help they have given him. “I am proud of my Aqua Resort family.”
This was the first time for Manuel to compete in a main course contest but he was a third placer during the 2001 Taste of the Marinas in the dessert category.
As for Aqua Resort executive chef Hubert Friedle, all he felt was relief. “It was a relief after coming in second during previous years’ contests. It finally worked,” he said.
In fact, it was doubly challenging for Manuel, according to Friedle. “The night before they showed me what they were going to do and I threw it all out. I told them that they will not win unless they absolutely come out with the very best that they could come up with.”
He was quick to add, though, that the success of the two is to their own credit. “It’s not me; it’s them [Manuel and Marquez],” he said.
Manuel said the idea was Friedle’s but the execution was a team effort.
The three trophies they won (two for Manuel and Marquez and one for Aqua Resort) were immediately displayed at the hotel’s booth during Saturday’s Taste of the Marianas.
