Three Filipinos will be competing for the title of Master Chef in the first season of Master Chef Asia.
Jake Aycardo, Lica Ibarra, and Rico Amancio will compete with fellow home cooks from China, India, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. The winner of the competition will receive their own cookbook and USD$50,000 cash prize
They will be mentored and judged by culinary wunderkinds in the region: Hong Kong-born and multi-awarded genius Chef Susur Lee, known as the “Father of Fusion”; 3 Michelin-starred Chef Bruno Ménard, and Singapore-born former MasterChef Australia finalist , Audra Morrice.
Checkout out what the judges have to say on the Impact of Filipino Cuisine in the Culinary World:
Jake, Lica and Rico are ordinary Filipinos with no culinary school background, but what they do have, is a passion for cooking and the love for food. Get to know them better and let’s support #MCApinoypride…
Get to know the Pinoy Chef’s and their Specialty:
Jake Aycardo is a 24-year old former Bank Analyst from Quezon City. He used to prepare lunch for his bank colleagues and it was then he realized that banking wasn’t his passion. He had quit his job to pursue a career in the culinary field. He had been applying for work in the culinary industry when he came across the casting call of Master Chef Asia.
Jake’s goal is to be the best chef possible and would love to get an opportunity to work for the best restaurants. His favorite food is “Isao na Baboy”; in spite of it being bad for his health, he can’t get enough of it.
Lica Ibarra is a 29-year old Finance Officer who loves cooking, especially for her son. She started cooking because she grew up in a family of cooks. Besides her passion for cooking, she plays ultimate frisbee and football. She represented the Philippines in the Women’s National Football Team.
Lica’s wants to make healthy dishes that caters to athletes. Her goal is to have her own cooking and travel show like Audra. Her favorite Pinoy dish is the famous Cebu Lechon.
Rico Amancio is a 31-year old former Paralegal from a small town in Bacolod City. He learned how to cook from his mom, who frequently brought him to the market where they would buy fresh ingredients to cook for lunch and dinner. After being casted for Master Chef Asia, he quit his job to pursue a culinary career.
Rico loves traveling and he enjoys sharing his Filipino heritage through his cooking every time he’s in a different country. His dream is to be the first Filipino to receive a Michelin star. He is also excited about the culinary scholarship he received from James Beard. His favorite dish is chicken curry.
Catch the talented home cooks at Master Chef Asia, which will air on September 3, Thursday 9PM on Lifetime! Go Team Philippines!
Live an Awesome Life,
Abi, Sean, and Boom
Our Awesome Planet Team
Disclosure: We are media guest during the Master Chef Asia Tour. We wrote this article with our biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
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