A British-Italian chef named Steven Snowdown has been dubbed to be the “Empanada Man” from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. He mastered the art of making Empanadas by the Ilocanos because he will be representing Laoag City for a competition in Singapore in the East List Star cooking show where non-Asian will be cookinig their favorite Asian street food.
According to an article written on ABS-CBN by April Rafales, the British-Italian chef chose to feature the empanada from Ilocos because of its rich flavor, and the also, his favorite Ilocano longanisa is used an ingredient on the street food. He became interested in many Filipino dishes after his Ilocana fiancée introduced it to him. Locals now call him “Empanada Man”.
Ilocos well-known for its empanada. It is a dish just like thin taco that’s fried to crisp then filled with meat, veggies or both. The orange-like color of the outer layer made from rice flour is colored with atchuete. Msot of the time, the filling in the empanada is composed of grated toge (mung bean sprouts), papaya, carrots, egg, and longganissa (pork sausage).
The Eat List Star cooking show in Singapore where Snowdown will be joining and representing Laoag City. It is a culinary talent search through the Asia Pacific region. There will be a five-day boot camp where the award-winning chef Ryan Clift of Tippling Club, Unlisted Collection group of hotels, bars and restaurants owner Loh Lik Peng, food and travel journalist Cheryl Tiu, Mediacorp Class 95 deejay Simone Heng, and actor-host Uttsada Panichkul will be judging the entries.
According to the ‘About’ section of Toggle, the show, Eat List Star,
“ …will be a competition conducted in phases. Contenders will be evaluated based on their understanding of traditional Asian flavors, cooking techniques, and their ability to put modern twists to classic dishes.”
Let’s just hope for the best for Steven Snowdown’s jourey in Singapore.
What can you say about the Empanada Man?
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Sources:
Choose Philippines
ABS-CBN
Toogle