Seda Central Bloc Cebu proudly honored its Culinary and F&B Team through an intimate employee recognition luncheon, “Taste of Triumph.” The celebration brought together the entire team to applaud multiple awards earned across diverse competitions—each showcasing Bisaya flavors through a blend of tradition and innovation.
Cebu Goes Culinary is one of the country’s biggest culinary competitions, drawing nearly 600 participants from top universities, hotels, and resorts across the Visayas.
Leading the wins for Seda Central Bloc Cebu was Gee-mar Lariosa, who secured the Gold Medal in the Coffee Concoction – Bisaya Regional Coffee category, impressing judges with a coffee creation infused with Cebu’s pride, the mango. Wengie Labis also earned recognition with a Silver Medal for her Cacao Concoction, featuring a pandan-infused take on the traditional tablea drink, and a Bronze Medal in Mocktail Mixing.
Gee-mar Lariosa wins Gold in Coffee Concoction
The competition’s highlight, Klasika Moderna Kulinarya – Bisaya Regional Cooking (Sutukil), saw the hotel’s Executive Sous Chef Johnbill Degamo, alongside Crisanto Palang and Renie Pagliawan, present a showstopping menu using versatile fish selections—Cobia, Barakuda, and Sawasid. Their modern take on Sinugba, Tinuwa, and Kinilaw celebrated regional ingredients such as sikwa, kamote, and bulosa fruit, earning them a Silver Medal—the only city hotel to place in the category.
Klasika Moderna Kulinarya Presentation to Judges
Bronze Medals were awarded to Gerry Daquipil for Flairetending & Cocktail Mixing and Ojarah Dianne Vapor for her Pralines – Bisaya Flavors with Modern Presentation.
More Bronze Medals went to team competitions in the following categories:
- Best Regional Ingredient – Local Coconut Vinegar
- Best Traditional/Modern Regional Cooking Technique – Puso
- The Pantry Chef – Regional Fruit/Vegetable Kinilaw
- Kakanin – Puto Maya
- Wedding Cake – Garden
The hotel’s team also received Diplomas for Table Setting with Floral Centrepiece, Creative Cake Decoration, Best Regional Ingredient, and Regional Pica-Pica – Pungko2.
Wengie Labis, Silver – Cacao Concoction and Bronze – Mocktail Mixing
“These wins highlight not only the creativity and skill of our culinary and F&B service team but also our commitment to elevating local Bisaya flavors onto a bigger stage,” said Ron Manalang, General Manager of Seda Central Bloc Cebu. “As one of the smaller hotels, we are proud to have performed exceptionally well against larger and more established resorts and properties.”
The achievements at Cebu Goes Culinary 2025 further reinforce Seda Central Bloc Cebu’s passion for showcasing Filipino hospitality and authentic regional cuisine with a modern touch.
Seda Central Bloc Cebu’s Culinary Team
F&B Service Team with Gold Medalist Gee-mar Lariosa
Cebu Goes Culinary participants with Seda Central Bloc Cebu Mancom led by General Manager Ron Manalang
