Interview with master chef

February 23, 2008  --  Got something to say?
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Showbiz By Dino de la RosaBy Dino de la Rosa
Evelyn Bunoan, the energetic proprietress of the Philippine Oriental Market & Deli in Arlington, Virginia for almost 30 years (and still going strong), has been hosting her cooking show Evelyns Kitchen-Cooking With Friends” for four years now on the local cable channel 58. She shares her tremendous culinary skills on her show, with recipes she has kitchen tested beforehand. Because of her untiring service to the community, she has become a local celebrity in her own right. So I thought it was about time to interview her.

The former Evelyn Silangcruz, who hails from Rosario, Cavite, has been an outstanding student in her elementary, high school and college years, being in the 90th percentile of her class. She also won several culinary awards both locally and nationally. For her college years, she went to the the University Of The East in 1961 where she earned her Bachelor Of Arts degree in Accounting. While pursuing her studies, she worked as a stenographer at the Department Of Labor. After graduation, she was promoted as an Auditing Examiner until she left for the States. Upon migrating to Virginia, she was hired at the World Bank and rose from the ranks to be an Executive Assistant. She retired in 2000 after 28 years of distinguish service.

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Her passion for cooking was developed at a very young age, with her mother as the inspiration behind the desire to continually learn more and improve her techniques. Her rugged determination brought her several culinary awards both locally and nationally. While at the World Bank, she bought her store in 1978. Not long after, she was awarded a Certificate of Excellence from Arlington County. Since then she has mastered more than 400 scrumptious yet healthy recipes.

To further her culinary skills, she decided to enroll in 2000 at the prestigious culinary arts school Le Cordon Bleu in London, England. For six months, she studied the art of French Cuisine(with honors) and Patisserie, taking day and night courses. She graduated with French Master Chef credentials. She looks back at her Le Cordon Bleu days as an enjoyable and fulfilling learning experience. She also went beyond her formal culinary schooling to create Philippine cuisine with a touch of French.

Along the way, she fulfilled another passion- acting in the theater. In 1998, when Lola Sarah was preparing for her two one-act plays, she thought of casting tita Evelyn in the drama Sa Kahabaan Ng Madilim Na Gabi”(The Long Dark Night), even though she rarely acted on stage.

In fact, the last time she did a play was many years ago when she was in college. But Lola took a chance on casting her since she saw a potential in her. For three months, Lola took her under her wing and gave her a crash course in drama, coaching her on the nuances of her role of the brave mother. After all, she would be carrying the whole play. She was a quick study, and on opening night in December 1998, she gave a pitch perfect performance and did so for the next two nights.

These days, she shares her passion for the culinary arts, not only on her show, but to other outlets as well. She is Food Columnist for the Manila Mail and writes a column in Pinoy Ads- Evelyns Tips, Tricks And More. She is also a freelance Food Writer for the widely read Washington Examiner. In addition to all of the above, she is a Certified Food Manager for the State of Virginia. Although she has a hectic schedule, she handles it all with aplomb.

For more on Evelyn Bunoan, read her food column Evelyns Kitchen in this paper.


Posted by News Team | Filed Under Enterntainment 

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