THE seventh edition of “Makan ken Mainum”, the well-known cooking competition in Isabela, selected young ones from various municipalities and cities of the province who heated up the celebration of the Bambanti Festival as they crafted adventurous, original, and extraordinarily local dishes and drinks.

From the Ilocano term “makan,” which means “something to eat,” and “mainum,” which means “drinks,” this year’s cooking competition became the first-ever contest to be joined by kids ages nine to 14.

The contestants were tasked with cooking and serving food and drinks “freestyle.” However, the dish and liquid refreshment must be the contenders’ original recipe and idea.

Team Santiago served the cooked-to-perfection Chicken Sinaba, Binalkot A Baboy, which glazed the judges’ palates, making them the champion of the Makan competition.

Santiago’s team brought home P25,000 in cash.

Tumauini’s Golden Treasure of Tumauini ranked second and received P20,000 in cash.

Placing third and winning P15,000 was San Agustin’s Doble Kara.

Dinapigue took home P10,000 in cash and the fourth place title for their Ginataang Ubod ng Pugahan, while Cauayan’s Labong Fish Ball ranked fifth.

Vulungan ta Basu of Tumauini was hailed champion of the Mainum competition and won P25,000 in cash.

Santiago’s Bukid at Hardin placed second, winning P20,000. San Isidro took home the P15,000 after placing third with their Salted Egg Ice Rice Coffee. Angadanan’s Ubacane Shake ranked fourth, winning P10,000 in cash. And San Mateo placed fifth with its Chili Tropicale.

T he winning teams were also given plaques of recognition.

Prior to the competition, contestants were trained by co-chair Makan Ken Mainum ti Isabela and Chef Cornelio “Cocoy” Ventura. He was delighted with the young ones’ behavior during the workshop, as they acted like “professionals” who accepted criticisms from him.

“We all discussed, “I think it’s time for us to invite the younger citizens for them to partake this activity. And it turned out to be so much more enjoyable.” You know, I think it’s charming as well,” Cocoy told the media.

He added that the Isabela folks must watch for upcoming changes in the competition, such as the opening of Makan ken Mainum for nine-year-old and younger participants.

As the competition was held for its seventh edition, the government of Isabela planned to publish a recipe book containing the dishes and drinks of the contenders, also as part of promoting the food culture in the province. By ERWIN VICENTINO & ANGELO SANCHEZ