MRS.WISE SUPER FUN AICA EXPERIENCE

I have admitted so many times in this blog.... I-DONT-COOK!  But I didn't say that I won't at least give it a try.  I am thankful to this blog for giving me unlimited opportunities to get my hands active in the kitchen.   

I was so glad to have been invited to AICA or the Academy for International Culinary Arts in Pasig.  Having been in the industry for 12 years, AICA has established itself as a premiere culinary training  ground for aspiring top chefs.  It prides itself in its well trained instructors who are masters not only of the traditional disciplines of cooking but the different 21st century applications of these skills as well.

HAWAIIAN TREAT:   POKE

A YOUNG CULT CLASSIC:   TEX-MEX STREET TACOS

SECOND WIND:  SHRIMP ROLLS

      AN EMERGING GIANT:  SOUTH AMERICAN COMFORT FOOD

FROM EAST TO WEST:  UBE DESERTS

Now... I-WAS-LITERALLY-PANICKING!  My mind was trying to compherend how can I cook all of those "complicated" dishes, when I am just a kitchen newbie?  Waaa.... How can I survive this experience?

The cooking was intense!  We were doing everything.  Yes, we had AICA interns to help us. Yes, the ingredients were prepared ahead of time -- chopped, minced, sliced, etc.  Yes there was Chef Marlon guiding us along the way.  But I still felt the pressure.  We were treated like real culinary students.  The grind was tough.

In a nutshell.... these are the things I did.

• made potato rolls using the kitchen aid mixer
• made the marinade for the Maui Ahi Poke by simply mixing everything in the bowl. 
• prepared the chimchurri sauce, and marinade the chicken on it
• cooked some refried beans
• made meican corn tortilla from scratch.  from prepping the dough, shaping and frying 

Check out the video to see how we prepared most of the dishes.  How we worked so hard. How we jumped from one dish to the other.  

Then we had lunch.  We sampled on the Maui Ahi Poke --  and I liked it.  And I have to confess.... while we were making the marinade for the Maui Ahi Poke, I began munching on the almonds, kombu and tuna.  Hahaha..... oh well, chefs are allowed to taste the dishes as they prepare it, right?  Just to be sure that they are doing the right thing.  Thus I am allowed to do this -- I am the Chef for the day  :)

Sadly, I had to leave after lunch.  I needed to attend another event.  So I didn't finish making all the dishes.  I didn't get to see the rest of the finished products  :(

But I am definitely sharing with you all the recipes of the amazing dishes made in AICA. Hope you find time dear mommies.... to try it all at home.  RECIPES HERE

You may visit or call the Academy for International Culinary Arts (AICA) in their Manila and Cebu branches through the details found below: 

Manila Business Address:

Suite 207 Skyway Twin Towers #351 Capt. Henry Javier street Pasig City, Philippines
Tel: +632.671.0276/77 & 6722271
Email: manila@aicaculinary.com

Cebu Business Address:

The Gallery
Juan Luna Street Cor. Golam Drive
Mabolo, Cebu City, Philippines
Tel: +6332.316.4828
Email: aicacebu@yahoo.com

You can also like them on Facebook or visit their website  for more details on programs offered. 

Thank you to fellow bloggers Julia of http://juliaantoinette.com/ and Carlo Dinglasan of WheninManila.  I borrowed some of their amazing pictures for this article.