It’s amazing how food has become more than just a basic need. It’s now a big part of our lifestyles and culture. We see new restaurants with unique concepts mushrooming all over the country offering us various cuisines and flavors that are barely what we’re accustomed to as Pinoys. And this is exactly why SM Hypermarket, on their 10th anniversary, focused on creating milestones through their SM Master Chefs program for 2011.

With the help of nineteen (19) master brands – Knorr, Nestle All Purpose Cream, Unilever Food Solutions, Tabasco, Lee Kum Kee, Lady’s Choice, Maggi, Clara Ole, Kikkoman Soy Sauce, San Remo, McCormick, Bounty Fresh Chicken, CDO, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog, Purefoods Star Hotdog, Magnolia Cheeze spread, Magnolia Purefresh, Magnolia All Purpose Cream and Magnolia Dari Crème – SM Hypermarket aim to satisfy the now more mature and adventurous palates of Pinoys.

How? Through SM Master Chefs. This program / event is composed of 3 parts – a grand cooking demo, kitchen makeovers, and a set of cook-offs that should set a new record in foodie history.

Grand Cooking Demo & Cooking Marathons

To start, weekly starting this July (they already started on July 5) up to September, there’ll be a marathon of cooking demos that will go around different SM Hypermarket branches all over the country. They’ll feature different products and techniques that anyone that has a passion in cooking or food will enjoy.

We witnessed the first set of cook-offs when we were invited to the launch of SM Master Chefs 2011 in SM Hypermarket in Cubao, Quezon City (in Main Ave.).

First stop was Chef Eric Magtanong featuring Maggi products. He prepared Asimagical Salmon Sinigang and Beef Sukiyaki.

Next up is Chef Kai Verdadero-o, who featured San MIguel products (Purefoods Tender Juicy, DariCreme, etc). She served us Cheesy Tender Juicy Mushroom Bacon Sandwiches and Buko Pandan Salads. I love making quick sandwiches and desserts at home so I enjoyed her demo.