A young Filipino chef has bagged the Young Chef of the Year Award at a prestigious cooking competition in Scotland.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Renz Mangaille, 19, who works at The Saplinbrae Hotel, competed at the North East of Scotland Chef and Restaurant of the Year Awards 2019 in Aberdeen on May 27. Mangaille was the only Filipino competitor.
The Young Chef of the Year Award is among nine major awards or categories judged by a panel from the Federation of Chefs Scotland. The competition, organized by Hospitality Training in Aberdeen, is the largest cookery contest in Scotland.
Mangaille said he was already honored when his menu was accepted in the competition. He said each course in his menu represents a different stage in his life.
“Winning was such a bonus for me and it made all the hard work, time, money and sleepless nights worth it,” Mangaille said.
Philippine Ambassador to London Antonio Lagdameo hailed the young Filipino’s accomplishment as an example of how Filipinos in the United Kingdom are shining in their respective fields.
“This accolade is yet another evidence of how young Filipinos in the United Kingdom, by excelling in their respective fields, contribute positively to the fabric of British society,” Lagdameo said.
The North East of Scotland Chef and Restaurant of the Year Awards are a competition aimed at recognizing the contributions of chefs and restaurants in Scotland’s North East.