Pasay city: The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority in the Cordillera Administrative Region (TESDA-CAR) demonstrated its culinary prowess once again as one of its scholars emerged victorious at the WorldSkills ASEAN Manila hosted at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from August 26 to 28.

According to Philippines News Agency, Agee Docayso, a graduating student in the Diploma in Culinary Arts Technology program at the Cordillera State Institute of Technology Education (CSITE), displayed remarkable talent in crafting multi-course dishes. "Everything was judged based on preparation, cleanliness, performance, dish presentation, and taste," Docayso shared on Monday. He emphasized his focus on the task at hand, executing his training with precision.

TESDA-CAR has maintained a strong reputation in the culinary competition category, consistently securing awards since 2014. Chef Mary Kristine Iris Pasion, who coached Docayso, expressed that their aim was always set on gold. "We were confident we could get the title. We have been consistently bringing home awards in the category since 2014 and we had hoped to get the gold once again," Pasion stated, reflecting on their persistent gold-winning mindset.

Pasion highlighted that past TESDA-CAR winners include Joshua Lizardo in Vietnam (2014), Jonathan Supsupin in a 2022 special edition, and Allen Gacweng in Singapore (2023).

Felixberto Matute, the TESDA-CAR training center administrator, noted that Docayso's preparation commenced in April with a comprehensive training program. A team of experts closely monitored his development, ensuring he was well-prepared. "Our experts were not just preparing them in cooking but also improving their attitude and focus. It was a well-rounded training from morning until late afternoon," Matute explained.