The Battle of Pastry & Bakery Chefs 2025, a Worldchefs endorsed competition, is a prestigious international competition that brings together pastry and bakery professionals from around the globe. Designed to spotlight both emerging and seasoned culinary talent, this event provides a fantastic platform for participants to express their creativity and showcase their culinary expertise from across the world. A clash of different traditions, skills, techniques, teamwork, and creativity that you can look forward to thrilling challenges, and inspiring demonstrations.
Held from July 18–20, 2025, at Sunshine Central, Penang, Malaysia, the competition gathered chefs from various countries to compete across specialized categories—each showcasing the highest level of culinary artistry. Representing the Philippines, LPU-Laguna’s College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management (CITHM), a Worldchefs Education Partner, proudly sent a team composed of homegrown Filipino chef instructors and student chefs in the following categories:
- Modern Stylish Wedding Cake Display
- Amuse Bouche
- Fruit and Vegetable Carving – Team of Two Chefs
- Petit Fours or Pralines Formation
Since June 2025, the LPU-Laguna team—along with their coaches and understudies—have been preparing intensely for the event. Their journey was fueled by commitment, teamwork, and a shared passion for culinary excellence. Stepping onto the international stage, they carried not just their skills and training but also the pride, resilience, and heart of the Filipino.
CARVING TEAM OF 2 CHEFS: PANAGBENGA: THE FESTIVAL OF FLOWERS
In the Fruit and Vegetable Carving Category, participants are challenged to create freestyle themed showpieces live, within a limited time of 3 hours, using only fruits and vegetables as their medium. Competitors must demonstrate not only artistic creativity but also speed, technique, and precision to properly execute their chosen theme.
Representing the Philippines in this category were Ms. Pia Amurao (2nd Year) and Mr. Tristan Miserali (1st Year), student chefs who have both shown exceptional skill in their Fruit and Vegetable Carving course. Their excellence was previously recognized during the university’s Fruit and Vegetable Carving Expo Competition, where they stood out as top student carvers.
For the international stage, Pia and Tristan chose “Panagbenga: The Festival of Flowers” as their theme—an annual celebration held every February in Baguio City, Philippines. “Panagbenga,” a Kankanaey term meaning “season of blooming,” beautifully reflects the rich traditions, values, and heritage of the Cordillera region.
Through their live carving presentation, Pia and Tristan brought the spirit of Panagbenga to life—showcasing blooming elegance, cultural pride, and storytelling through their crafted floral designs. Their seamless teamwork, artistry, and commitment were ultimately recognized as they proudly earned a Bronze Medal in the competition.
Coach:
- Myko Matienzo
- John Carlo Palacol
Understudies:
- Lexie Gepana
- Louis Lerum
- Larian Ann Garbin
- Casey Bravo
- Clarice Pantaleon
- Kiersten Zack Rapada
- Marc Vincent Jawili
AMUSE BOUCHE CATEGORY: THE ONLY GOLD VICTORY FOR THE PHILIPPINES
In the Amuse Bouche Category, competitors are challenged to display bite-sized pieces consisting of Four (4) varieties of Amuse Bouche:
- Meat – Lamb, Beef or Game
- Seafood
- Poultry – Chicken or Duck
- Vegetables
Representing the Philippines, LPU-Laguna proudly sent one of its esteemed culinary instructors, Chef Jovic Ramirez. Known for her expertise in various international cuisines and baking disciplines, Chef Jovic is a respected figure among students and peers alike. Her dedication to teaching the fundamentals of culinary arts, coupled with her refined skills, earned her the honor of competing on the international stage.
Since June 2025, Chef Jovic—together with her team of student understudies—engaged in rigorous testing and development of multiple amuse bouche recipes. With the guidance of their coach, Chef John Carlo Palacol, they explored techniques, flavor profiles, and presentation ideas, with one goal in mind: to craft world-class amuse bouche worthy of international acclaim.
With their passion and hard work, Chef Jovic Ramirez was awarded the Gold Award—and notably, she was the only Gold awardee in the Amuse Bouche Category, triumphing over competitors from various countries. This remarkable achievement not only highlights the excellence of LPU-Laguna’s culinary program but also reinforces the global potential of Filipino chefs.
This award is a testament to the Filipino spirit—skilled, competitive, and more than capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the best in the world.
Coach:
- John Carlo Palacol
Understudies:
- James Plaza
- Karla Diason
- Carlos Opiña III
- Caira Gail Malabanan
- Aj Cañeda
- Kevin Montano
- Allen Librojo
PRALINES AND CHOCOLATE SHOWPIECE: “GONG XI FA CAI” — ANOTHER HIGHEST AND ONLY GOLD FOR THE PHILIPPINES
In the Pralines and Chocolate Showpiece Category, competitors are tasked with presenting six (6) distinct types of pralines or petits fours, with six (6) bite-sized pieces of each, accompanied by a chocolate showpiece based on a theme of their choice. The category demands not only flavor and technical excellence but also visual artistry and storytelling through chocolate.
Representing the Philippines was Ms. Chrislam Joy Alcira (2nd Year), Ms. Chrislam initially joined the competition team as an understudy for various categories, including the Wedding Cake Display and this very same category. Her attention to detail, finesse in stringwork, and growing passion for pastry arts quickly elevated her to the position of lead competitor.
For her showpiece, Chrislam chose “The New Year Lantern Festival” as her theme. Also known as the Yuanxiao Festival or Shangyuan Festival, this celebration marks the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the Chinese calendar and symbolizes the end of the Chinese New Year festivities. Lanterns float high into the sky, illuminating the night with themes of reunion, freedom, and new beginnings—a fitting inspiration for her chocolate creations.
And just like the lanterns, Ms Chrislam and her team soared, achieving the highest and another Only Gold Award among all international entries for the category. Her meticulously crafted pralines and intricate chocolate showpiece blended traditional Chinese motifs with modern pastry artistry. Every element reflected the cultural richness and celebratory spirit of the Lantern Festival, turned into a visual and edible narrative.
This victory is not only a celebration of Chrislam’s individual talent but a proud moment for LPU-Laguna and the Philippines. Her success is a powerful reminder that Filipino chefs are capable of transforming global traditions into unforgettable culinary experiences—worthy of the highest accolades on the world stage.
Coach:
- John Carlo Palacol
Showpiece:
- Jeriel Encarnado
Understudies:
- Ivan Jerome Tarzona
- Alex Beatrice
- Vishna Maria Calixihan
- Joshua Jimenez
- Trixie Ann Valencia
- Adrian Vhon Alcantara
- Katleah Paula Flores
Showpiece:
- Justin Masalonga
- John Aurelle Engco
- Zoey Arizabal
Junior Assistant:
- Aljay Alvarez
- Tricia Lei Maligalig
MODERN STYLISH WEDDING CAKE DISPLAY
A ROYAL MASTERPIECE WORTHY OF GOLD
In the Modern Stylish Wedding Cake Display Category, competitors are challenged with displaying a wedding cake with a minimum of THREE (3) tiers not exciding 150 cm in height. This category demands not just technical excellence, but also originality, aesthetic harmony, and storytelling through artistry.
Representing the Philippines, Ms. Jyra Alexi De Chavez (3rd Year), known for her dedication and passion in the field of cake artistry. Jyra first joined the competition team as an understudy for the Wedding Cake category, later seizing the opportunity to compete in Cake Fiesta Manila, where she earned a Gold Award. Her consistent excellence and growth opened the doors to the international stage.
Jyra and her team chose the theme “THE MONARCHY: A CULTURAL ROYAL KOREAN WEDDING”—a tribute to the elegance, symbolism, and grandeur of a traditional royal Korean wedding ceremony.
Her show-stopping cake was more than a visual centerpiece—it was a cultural story sculpted in sugar. Every detail, from the harmonious layering symbolizing union and eternity to the regal palette inspired by royal hanboks and palace motifs, was executed with artistic precision and cultural reverence.
The team was graced with The Highest Gold Award in the category. Jyra’s wedding cake captivated the judges with its fusion of tradition and modern design—elevating not only the artistry of pastry but also the Filipino voice in global culinary arts.
This win reflects the incredible creativity and craftsmanship of Filipino talent, proudly showcased on an international platform. Further setting the highest standard of Wedding Cake creations and cementing LPU-Laguna as the leading institution for wedding cake competitions.
Coach:
- Abram Peralta
- Jeriel Encarnado
Understudies and Alternates:
- Erika Jean Rustia
- Marideth Nabor
- Chelsea Sengco
- Allison Cyle Barrieta
- Trisha Collyne Remo
- Princess Nicole De Sotto
- Ethan Parcon
- Gideon Mathew De Vera
- Varen Ed Mar Biscocho
A HISTORIC WIN: LPU-LAGUNA AND THE PHILIPPINES EARN GOLD WITH DISTINCTION AFTER 7 YEARS
After seven long years, the Philippines and LPU-Laguna have once again made history—bringing home a coveted Gold with Distinction, the highest honor in the competition, with a perfect score of 100 points.
This marks the second Gold with Distinction for the Philippines, following the 2018 victory of Chef Alyzza Bundalian at FHA Singapore. A proud alumna of LPU-Laguna, Chef Alyzza is now the Head Cake Artist at Marriott Hotel Manila.
Even more historic, this is the first-ever Gold with Distinction awarded in the history of the Malaysian Chefs Association, making this moment a milestone not only for LPU-Laguna but for the international culinary scene.
Representing the Philippines was Mr. Jose Antonio Silos Tuvera (3rd Year), whose dedication, creativity, and technical mastery exemplify the excellence of LPU-Laguna’s showpiece training. Mr. Jose’s journey to the international stage was the result of countless hours of training, understudy experiences, and mentorship from the best in the field.
His chosen theme, “The Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix”, is a legendary Chinese love story that symbolizes harmony and eternal union. This tale to life through a breathtaking multi-tiered cake, meticulously sculpted in sugar. Every detail—every curve, color, and composition—was a display of precision, elegance, and world-class artistry. The result wasn’t just a cake—it was a story told in sugar and crowned in gold.
This victory is more than a medal—it’s a bold statement: Filipino cake artists are among the world’s finest. As recognized by Chef Kenny Kong, this award once again places the Philippines at the forefront of global pastry and showpiece design.
LPU-Laguna and the entire LPU CITHM community are bursting with pride. This moment solidifies our place on the international pastry map and reminds the world of the power of passion, culture, and Filipino excellence.
Coach:
- Jeriel Encarnado
- Abram Peralta
Understudies and Alternates:
- Nadine Africano
- Maria Angela Rose Granada
- Marial June Baldo
- Wendell Regente Dapula
- Angela Louise Dayo
- Chrislam Joy Alcira
- Tristan Miseral
