Lyceum of the Philippines University Batangas: Defiitely on the Lead

LPU – Batangas: Definitely On The Lead
by Taga Ibaan Ako

Year after year, Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas never run out of reasons to remain on top in different fields compared with other schools, colleges and universities, not only in the region but also in the country. And this year, they’ve proven this once more for the nth time by topping the recently concluded National Food Showdown. If there’s such a thing as a habit in this level of competition, then this must be the best one.

Living up to the words of LPU-Batangas President Peter Laurel “We’re the most awarded tourism school in the Philippines”, National Food Showdown 2010 held at A. Venue Events Hall in Makati City with the theme “A Quest for Culinary Excellence”, September 10 – 11, was never a strange and uncharted battle field for LPU winning in majority of the competition’s categories and in Overall Awards.

In Overall Awards, LPU-Batangas topped the Golden Plate Trophy for Bar and Dining Challenge, 2nd in both Golden Plate Trophy for Compleat Chefs and Presidential Trophy,
and 3rd overall awardee in Golden Plate Trophy for Sweet Revenge.

These awards were capped by LPU after winning in different categories. Remarkably, they won three (3) Gold (Petits Fours/Pralines, Creative Cake Decoration and Table Setting Categories), one (1) Silver (Chocolate Showpiece Category) and seven (7) Bronze (Gourmet Cold Buffet Challenge, Amuse Bouche, Plated Vegetarian Dish, Fruit Flambe, Bread Showpiece, Baby Cakes, and Wedding Cake Categories). They were also able to receiver Diploma Award in The Apprentice (Coach and Student Tandem) Category.

Since joining the National Food Showdown, highly-regarded by the food and beverage industry as the country’s premier food event which is being judged by an impressive roster of F&B professionals such as executive chefs, hotel & restaurant owners, managers and culinary experts from leading food manufacturers and suppliers, LPU-Batangas never fail to amuse the nation with awe as they refuse to cease from winning over and over again.

From 2001 to 2009, the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management had won a record high 21 national title. These include Philippine National Skills Competition Meat Processing in 2001, Pinoy Bartending Competition in 2003. In 2004, they won in Chefs on Parade, Dream Team Challenge Culinary Grand Prix and again in Philippine National Skills Competition (which they repeated in 2006).

Lyceum-Batangas was the Grand National Champion and recipient of the Presidential Trophy and Golden Plate award at the National Food Showdown in 2009 and the Most Awarded Tourism School in the Philippines by the Philippine Tour Operators Association in the 20th Philippine Travel Mart Tourism Skills Competition 2009.

Lyceum-Batangas is also the recipient of four international awards. It won in both student and professional divisions at the Monin International Flairtending Competition in 2008, and the Diploma of Excellence in the 5th and 6th ASEAN Skills Competition-Restaurant Service held in Hanoi, Vietnam and Brunei Darussalam, respectively.

And needless to say, this victorious year will again go down to history. Without brewing any doubts, by far, no other in school in the region has ever come any closer to LPU-Batangas, neither can’t be at par with them in terms of excellence in this area. Not to be stopped, they also won in the National Bartending Warriors in 2008, and the Manila Flair in 2009.

Not to be belittled of course is LPU-Batangas’ continued efforts to improve and develop their craftsmanship with updated education system. LPU-Batangas has an industry-based curriculum which is a very important factor in preparing the students to become professionally fit to meet the demands of different industry. This can be attributed to their ties with Dusit Thani, a member of the Dusit International hotel chain. The agreement allows Dusit Thani College, one of Thailand’s leading hospitality institutions, to share its international curriculum and academic resource materials for its Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Administration specializing in Hotel and Restaurant Management (HRM), Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management, Tourism Management and other intensive courses in hotel management such as its celebrated Professional Chef and Culinary Arts program.

The National Food Showdown 2010 was participated by 50 schools (Student Division) all over the country. There were also 12 and 13 participants for Professional Division and Establishment Division respectively.

For more years to come, expect to hear more of LPU-Batangas besting countless national and international competition. This will go in vain.