photo courtesy of The Quill & Cebu Happenings

Miles Luke Gayatin, a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management (BSHM) student of Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) – Main Campus, secured the gold medal in the Regional Salad Competition during the 1st Cebu Food, Beverage, and Tourism Festival 2026, held at Robinsons Galleria Cebu on October 9-10.

Competing against hospitality and culinary students from 22 other universities across the region, Gayatin presented his winning entry, “Kinarabung Pako,” within the competition’s 20-minute preparation time under the coaching of BSHM Department Head Chef Mark Reynan Sabayan and instructor Harold Yangao.

In an interview, Gayatin explained that the dish was developed to showcase a familiar part of their local food culture and highlight its significance in the culinary heritage of Eastern Visayas.

“Our winning entry, ‘Kinarabung Pako,’ was the idea of our Department Head, Chef Mark Reynan Sabayan. The dish features pako, a local ingredient that is highly used in traditional cooking in Palo, Leyte. We wanted to showcase a familiar part of our local food culture and present it in a way that highlights its value as part of our culinary heritage,” he said.

He further shared that the team had only one day to prepare due to repeated schedule conflicts but remained focused and made the most of their limited preparation time, describing the gold-medal finish as a moment of happiness, gratitude, and pride and emphasizing that the achievement was not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for EVSU.

Meanwhile, Chef Sabayan, one of Gayatin’s coaches, explained that the student was selected for his maturity, confidence, and ability to perform under pressure, qualities that proved essential when the team had to adjust its original recipe after learning that the use of flamethrowers was prohibited, despite initially planning to use one to char the coconut meat for their dish.

“Despite the difficulties, we pushed through and gave our best. Competing on unfamiliar ground against strong competitors was already a challenge, but bringing home the gold made all the sacrifices worthwhile. This achievement made us realize that, despite our limited resources, we could be elevated to the national level of competition and demonstrate what the Visayas could offer,” he stated.

Moreover, Gayatin competed alongside fellow BSHM student Gerald Lebasnon in the Table Setting and Floral Centerpiece Making competition, under the guidance of Chef Sabayan and instructor Jayvee Reyes.

Organized by the Food and Beverage Council Cebu Chapter, the two-day festival featured 23 competitions showcasing emerging talent in the culinary, food and beverage, and tourism industries.

The achievement brought recognition to the university’s hospitality and tourism management program, with the department looking ahead to future competitions and opportunities to further develop its students’ skills.

Article by Jairra Sey Villar