Vikings Bags Awards at WOFEX 2015 and Guess Where is Their Next Branch?

I have always believed that behind every delicious dish is an excellent cook. With my favorite buffet restaurant that offers widest selection of sumptuous cuisine then there must more an just an excellent cook. 

Vikings Group Chefs Jonathan Jota, Anton Abad, Mark Wilhelm Ragudos, Jennifer Gumboc, Don Aries Jerome Duenas, Joel Mondelo, Mark Reyes, Charles Andrei Santos and Raphael De Jesus won top honors for the country and their restaurants Vikings, Niu by Vikings and Four Seasons Hotpot City. 

Yes, award winning chefs are behind the incredible feast we enjoy whenever we visit. The chefs spent four days battling the best of the best at the Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC) of the World Food Expo 2015 (WOFEX) which is the only World Association of Chef’s Society (WACS) endorsed competition in the country. This competition is an avenue for Filipino chefs to gauge their skills against chefs from other countries, and gain international recognition for their culinary expertise. 

They received a total of 13 medals across different categories. Chef Jonathan Jota won a gold medal for the Quick Fire Salad Category, winning Silver Medal is Chef Anton Abad for the US Beef category, Chef Mark Wilhelm Ragudos for the US Poultry category and Chef Don Aries Jerome Duenas for the Creative Breakfast Challenge category.

According to Over-all Coach Chef Jonathan Jota, "The Vikings Team placed 3^rd on overall performance for the Professional Category at the PCC 2015, beating international competitors from Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong and other Local Hotels and De Luxe Restaurants." 

With over 1,200 competitors from more than 15 countries, we couldn't be more proud for our awesome Filipino Chefs and all-time favorite Vikings who took home the  “People’s Choice Award for Favorite Buffet” 

Vikings is one of the places I truly miss in Metro Manila because they have always been a part of our special occasions. But can you guess where is their next branch? 

Yes, they will be opening a branch here in SM Bacolod. Yipee! Tentative opening date is sometime in September. I am just so excited and definitely, we know where to celebrate the coming birthday of Val. 

Bacolod Blog Series: You've never been to Bacolod if you've never been here!

I have always believed that every place has one iconic spot that almost all tourists visit. One where you should take the "mandatory" shots. Places such as Merlion Monument in Singapore, Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Magellan's Cross in Cebu and The Ruins for Bacolod.

The Ruins in Bacolod was a mansion built in the early 1900s by the Lacson family, one of the famous clans in the sugar industry here in Negros Occidental. The largest structure in the area that has a beautifully landscaped garden and a 4-tier fountain that added to its majestic view.

Photo by Jeric Tancontian

For more than 100 years, this structure in a 900+ sq meter property still stands firm and provides a picture perfect background to all visitors. They are also one of the favorite venues for a prenuptial shoots. Aside from taking pictures and enjoying its rich history, one can also relax and have coffee in their Mediterranean cafe. 

TIP: The best time to visit is actually around 5pm or early in the evening when the lights have been lit up. 

So, whenever you visit Bacolod, make sure to drop by at The Ruins. The roads are already cemented and it is very accessible even if you don't have private transportation. There are tricycles at Brgy. Bata that can bring you there. Entrance starts at Php 40 for students and senior citizens and it Php 95 for adults.