Vikings bags top awards at World Food Expo 2015

Vikings Group Chefs Jonathan Jota, Anton Abad, Mark Wilhelm Ragudos, Jennifer Gumboc, Don Aries Jerome Duenas, Joel Mondelo, Mark Reyes, Charles Andrei Santos and Raphael De Jesus won top honors for the country and their restaurants Vikings, Niu by Vikings and Four Seasons Hotpot City.

The chefs spent four days battling the best of the best at the Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC) of the World Food Expo 2015 (WOFEX) which is the only World Association of Chef’s Society (WACS) endorsed competition in the country.

The internationally renowned chefs received a total of 13 medals across different categories. Chef Jonathan Jota won a gold medal for the Quick Fire Salad Category, winning silver medal is Chef Anton Abad for the US Beef Category, Chef Mark Wilhelm Ragudos for the US Poultry Category and Chef Don Aries Jerome Duenas for the Creative Breakfast Challenge Category.

"The Vikings Team placed 3^rd on overall performance for the Professional Category at the PCC 2015, beating international competitors from Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong and other local hotels and de luxe restaurants,” said Over-all Coach Chef Jonathan Jota.

The Vikings chefs after the awarding at WOFEX 2015

The prestigious competition is an avenue for Filipino chefs to gauge their skills against chefs from other countries, and gain international recognition for their culinary expertise.

This year’s PCC had 1,200 competitors from more than 15 countries and is still the number one culinary food event to watch out for.

Also organized by WOFEX, Blogging and Social Media Expo (BLOSOMEX) was held at SMX Convention Center where Vikings took home the “People’s Choice Award for Favorite Buffet”

“The Choice” had 2,075 respondents from Our Awesome Planet, K.T.G. Collective Food Blogs, and Zomato. They voted to settle foodie debates of favorite buffet, favorite ramen, favorite specialty restaurants and favorites in 45 other categories.