Good news to all chefs, caterers, and local food service professionals! Armed with our very hungry stomachs, Jayvee and I rushed to Cirkulo Restaurant last April 1 to check out Unilever Foodsolutions’ latest offering. While much do not apply to me since am not (yet heeeheee) working in the kitchen professionally, their new website got me all hyped up!

You can submit your own recipes (make sure you create an account!) and download the ones submitted by the other foodies (yes, it’s not restricted to food professionals). The site is still on the works but a handful of recipes (found in the “Fresh Inspirations” page) should keep you busy for now (I am so drawn to the Grilled Lamb and Mesclun!)

Press kit is found under the cut.

Unilever Foodsolutions (UFS), the foodservice arm of Unilever Philippines, Inc., has embarked on the ‘Passion Feeds Passion’ campaign to further make its mark in the local food service industry.

UFS carries a strong foodservice heritage dating back to 1975 when California Manufacturing Co. put up Caterplan to address industry requirements at the time. Caterplan was integrated with all foods businesses of Unilever when the latter acquired Bestfoods in 2000. Upon acquiring full control of all operating companies in 2004, Unilever Bestfoods Foodsolutions became UFS.

“Our commitment to our clients goes way beyond providing them with quality products. We do more than simply observe a meticulous and precise process in developing ingredients for their recipes. We are also very keen on effectively offering them solutions that address the actual needs of their respective businesses,” explained Zafer Ünver, Managing Director, Unilever Foodsolutions, Philippines.

“Such ‘passion’ for work and product excellence prompts UFS to service its clientele of chefs, restaurant owners and caterers in a way that allows them to pursue their own passions—the perfection of their culinary craft and the growth of their business. This is what the ‘Passion Feeds Passion’ campaign seeks to communicate and ignite among its target stakeholders, in keeping with UFS’ vision of being its clients’ partner for success,” said Ünver.

Dedicated Corporate Chefs

Adding the necessary kitchen insight into Unilever Foodsolutions products is a roster of full-time chefs who are highly involved in every step of product development, from researching the latest trends to product testing and kitchen demonstrations.

The UFS team of passionate chefs is comprised of Senior Chef Joanne Limoanco, Regional Chef for Culinary Innovations and Training Rebecca Disini, Regional Sous Chef Dennis Hipolito, and Sous Chefs for Culinary Applications Paolo Sia, Ryan Lastra, Datu Pendatum, and Martin Kabigting.

UFS clients stand to benefit from the wealth of culinary information that these chefs provide not only due to their diverse background but also resulting from their access to Unilever’s global network that spans 80 countries.

UFS products include Knorr bouillons, seasonings, sauces, and soups, Lady’s Choice and Bestfoods dressings, Carte D’Or desserts, Lipton Tea, and Selecta ice cream in packaging formats that correspond to the needs of the hotel, restaurant, and catering segment of the food service market.

“These products have the Unilever mark of quality which assures our clients’ good results for their various food requirements,” said UFS Marketing Manager Pinky Laurena. “Moreover, new UFS products are scheduled to be launched within the year as part of the ‘Passion Feeds Passion’ campaign.”

Culinarian Website

UFS also launched www.theculinarians.com, an online portal where people passionate about food and cooking can gather virtually. A key component of the Passion Feeds Passion campaign, the website offers information on new restaurants, latest culinary trends, innovative recipes, and handy kitchen management techniques.

“The idea is to create a spirit of camaraderie among people who love what they do and want to bring the entire food service industry to even greater heights. They’ll inspire each other to keep on pursuing and improving their craft. Through this exciting exchange of ideas and stories, our website becomes a space where passion really does feed passion,” explained UFS Senior Chef Joanne Limoanco.

Pastry Chef James Antolin, an instructor at the Center for Culinary Arts and a member of the Philippine Team to compete in the Valhrona Asian Pastry Cup in Singapore, echoed Chef Joanne and said he welcomes the UFS website as another valuable tool he can tap to further improve his craft by providing him with information he can use in his culinary classes.

Spreading the Passion

Taking place on April 22 to 25 in Singapore is the Food Hotel Asia (FHA) 2008 Culinary Challenge. The FHA Culinary Challenge is an exceptional opportunity for chefs to hone and exhibit their skills in an international arena. In 2007, the same Philippine team was sent to the Hong Kong International Culinary Classic and bested the competition to bring home the gold for the Gourmet Team Challenge category. It is a feat they seek to replicate through the FHA Culinary Challenge in 2008.

During the recent UFS Passion Feeds Passion launch, the members of the Le Toques Blanches (LTB) Philippines Culinary Team were given their official send-off. LTB manager Chef J. Gamboa of Cirkulo and Milkyway Restaurants, said the team will be joining Individual Live Cooking, Plated Display, and Pastry Showpiece Events during the competition in April.

Chefs, caterers, and every member of the food service industry can look forward to an exciting 2008 as Passion Feeds Passion goes into full swing throughout the year. Log on to www.theculinarians.com to keep abreast of current and ongoing initiatives.