Mabuhay Nights - A Karinderya Degustation
The FFMA (Filipino Food Movement Australia) proudly presented Chef Vico Betguen and Chef Miguel Angelo Oppus for Mabuhay Nights. They showcased a Modern Karinderya Degustation Menu that transformed popular Filipino dishes using modern techniques. The menu sizzled with scrumptious and mouthwatering dishes like sisig, kare-kare, and pork silog, but not as traditionally known!
The specially curated degustation by Chef Vico Betguen, Head Chef of the award-winning Abode Bistro at Parkroyal Hotel, Darling Harbour, and Chef Miguel Angelo Oppus, Junior Sous Chef at The Gantry located at Pier One Sydney Harbour, reflected their Filipino heritage and their experience as Modern Australian Cuisine Chefs in Sydney. They focused on using seasonal and sustainable produce during the event.
The evening was dedicated to taking guests on an exciting journey through the Philippines without requiring them to leave their seats. The dining room was set up with long tables, encouraging people to interact and engage in conversations together. Whether attending alone or with companions, it was guaranteed that by the end of the night, everyone would have formed a room full of new friendships. It was a perfect event for Food Lovers!
Additionally, in partnership with Philippine Airlines, a special giveaway was featured during the event.
ABOUT CHEF VICO BETGUEN
Growing up in a small province of Philippines without any exposure to the sophisticated art of culinary did not stop Vico from achieving his passion for cooking. He travelled into the city to study Bachelor of Science in Hospitality, Restaurant and Institute Management – Majoring in Culinary Arts. Chef Vico then moved to North America to attend apprenticeships at various luxury hotels and resort. To further improve his skills, he decided to move to Australia to finish his apprenticeship at Park Hyatt Hotel Canberra. Having fallen in love with the lifestyle and the broad cuisine of Australia, at the age of 22, Chef Vico worked in Hamilton Island continuing to hone his skills in various casual and fine dining restaurants being exposed to beautiful fresh produce and gaining knowledge about sustainability and indigenous ingredients. In 2019, Vico joined the Parkroyal Hotel, Darling Harbour as a Head Chef of the award winning Abode Bistro where he created exciting and sustainably designed dishes using local and seasonal produce to which gained him and his team the AGFG Chef Hat 2022 award. Chef Vico heads into his new role next month as the Culinary Director for JJ Hospitality which provides hospitality services across Australia.
ABOUT CHEF MIGUEL ANGELO OPPUS
Chef Miguel hails from the quaint culinary town of Bacolod City in the Philippines. Trained under the stewardship of the Alain Ducasse Foundation, he has worked under the guidance of some of the best chefs in New York and Massachusetts including a restaurant under Jean George Vongerichten. With 6 years of culinary experience, he is now working as a Junior Sous Chef at The Gantry, a hatted restaurant located at Pier One Sydney Harbour. Miguel wants to showcase flavors from his hometown and country with a modern flair.