As part of the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) advocacy to promote brown rice, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) organized a Brown Rice Cooking Challenge at the FNRI Compound, Bicutan, Taguig City on 4-5 July 2011.

According to Dr. Mario Capanzana, FNRI Director, â€œBrown rice is gaining popularity today because of its nutritional benefits. With that, we want to introduce to the public the different ways of serving brown rice, as appetizer, soup, main dish and dessert through this Brown Rice Cooking Challenge.”

The competition is participated in by different universities and colleges in Metro Manila. Serving as judges of the competition were Nancy Lumen, publisher and editor-in-chief of The Culinary Lifestyle Magazine; Ms. Marieta Bumanglag, Senior Science Research Specialist of FNRI; Chef Antonio Gantioqui, expert cook from the Center for Advanced Training in Food and Beverages Services, Incorporated of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA); FNRI Director Mario Capanzana and DOST Secretary Mario Montejo.

Following are the winners of the Brown Rice Cooking Challenge:

First prize winner – Miriam College

• Appetizer – Lettuce topped brown rice (also won as Best Appetizer during the semi finals)
• Soup – Tomato and brown rice bisque with brown rice stuffed peppers (also won as Best Soup during the semi finals)
• Main Dish – Lamb and brown rice meat balls
• Dessert – Mango and brown rice mousse

Second prize winner – University of Sto Tomas Manila

• Appetizer – Chicken and egg roll surprise
• Soup – Rich dumpling rice soup delight
• Main Dish – Rellenong bangus stuffed with seven treasures (also won as Best Main Dish during the semi finals)
• Dessert – Choconut rice balls

Third prize winner – University of the East

• Appetizer – Brown rice stuffed tofu pocket
• Soup – Brown rice chowder
• Main Dish – Prawn thermidore filled with brown rice
• Dessert – Brown rice macaroons

Consolation prize winners

Emilio Aguinaldo College

• Appetizer – Pocket of beef strips and salsa on brown rice soft
• Soup – Picante (spicy) brown rice soup
• Main Dish – Itik volumen (roll) with brown rice stuffing paired
• Dessert – Duo of arroz (Trez leche champorado with lemony banana brown rice pudding with sugar spun

Centro Escolar University

• Appetizer – Chile parilla con tuna Y arron marron
• Soup – Sopa arroz marron con pechay
• Main Dish – Arroz marron con pollo
• Dessert – Arroz marron con mango (also won as Best Dessert during the semi finals)

DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said that, â€œBrown rice is a healthier alternative that will, hopefully, reduce the demand for white rice, most of it are imported. By consuming brown rice, we are not only helping our own farmers. We are also increasing our intake of micronutrients needed by our body.