CAGAYAN de Oro City — Culinary students from Liceo de Cagayan University and professionals from Limketkai Luxe Hotel took top honors at Kumbira 2026, showcasing local talent in the kitchen and food service industry.
The two emerged as overall champions in the student and professional categories, respectively, during the three-day culinary festival held October 14 to 16 at The Atrium of Limketkai Mall.
Liceo students from its Tourism Management and Hospitality Management programs won gold, silver, bronze and diploma awards in various competitions, according to the university’s official Facebook post.
They competed under the Junior Tourism and Hospitality Management Association of the Philippines through the university’s School of Business, Management, and Accountancy.
In the professional division of the 17th National Food Showdown, Limketkai Luxe Hotel claimed the overall championship. Julio’s Cafe won silver, while The VIP Hotel took bronze.
The hotel credited its culinary team’s creativity, teamwork and dedication for the achievement in a Facebook post following the competition. However, it did not specify the individual categories in which its representatives won awards.
The festival also featured local specialty coffee champion Paolo Bautista, owner of H&W Coffee, which operates in Gingoog and Cagayan de Oro, as one of the judges in the Barista Showdown.
Bautista brought his experience in coffee roasting and cafe culture to the competition, which highlighted participants’ skills in preparing coffee and other beverages.
Organized by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA), Kumbira celebrated its 30th anniversary this year under the theme “Three Decades, One Culinary Legacy.”
The event brought together culinary students, chefs, hotels, restaurants, cafes and other food industry players to compete and showcase their skills.
Other participating schools included Xavier University–Ateneo de Cagayan, the University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines, Bukidnon State University, Medina College and Gingoog City Comprehensive High School.
For aspiring culinary professionals and local food businesses, the annual competition provides a venue to demonstrate their skills, exchange ideas and gain recognition in the region’s hospitality industry.
