[ NIHON BUNKA KENKYUU ] BUNKEN 101: Reviews, comments, and insights on Japanese pop culture.
CALL FOR ENTRIES TO THE 1ST NATIONAL BENTO COMPETITION
The Japan Foundation, Manila and the Shangri-La Plaza Mall invite Filipino culinary talents to showcase home-grown Filipino ingredients and products and prepare intricate and artistic bento (lunchboxes) by joining the 1st National Bento Competition.
The National Bento Competition is open to Filipinos aged 16 and above who can illustrate the fusion of the Japanese bento custom with Filipino local ingredients; and of Japanese and Filipino culinary culture and ingenuity.
Bonafide students of any TESDA-recognized culinary school or CHED-accredited college offering HRM, Nutrition and Technology and other related courses, as well as housewives, non-professionals and professional food aficionados, are welcome to join.
Interested participants shall submit a bento meal plan good for one person which includes the following:
- Detailed recipe including measurement, weight and cost
- An 8 x 10 colored photo of the finished product
- A VCD/DVD of the cooking process and an explanation of the concept behind their bento entry. The VCD/DVD should not be more than 10 minutes.
- The bento should contain the following mandatory components: starch (rice, noodles, etc.), vegetables, protein (seafood, pork, beef or chicken).
- The use of local ingredients is a MUST.
Aside from the bento meal plan, the participants are also required to submit:
- Birth Certificate
- Entry Form
- Photocopy of the CHED/TESDA certificate of the school.
- Endorsement from the culinary school head or college dean printed in the school letterhead.
Entries should be mailed or hand-delivered to the Japan Foundation, Manila, 12/F Pacific Star Building, Sen. Gil Puyat cor. Makati Avenue, Makati City 1226, on or before Friday, 25 January 2008.
One participant each from Luzon, NCR, Visayas and Mindanao will compete during the National Bento Competition finals at the Grand Atrium of the Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong City on Sunday, February 24, 2008. The first prize winner will be awarded PhP 50,000, while the second and third placers will be awarded PhP 30,000 and PhP 10,000, respectively.
The National Bento Competition caps the week-end celebration of the NihonGo Fiesta, the annual Philippine-Japan culture and language showcase, at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall.
The entry form and complete rules and mechanics of the National Bento Competition may be downloaded at the JFM website: www.jfmo.org.ph . For more information, you may call the Japan Foundation, Manila at telephone numbers 811-6155 to 58, fax: 811-6153 or email .