“On behalf of the vessel, we are truly proud of Chief Cook Raffy M. Estilo for this well-deserved recognition. His dedication, creativity, and passion in the galley are clearly reflected in his winning dish, “A Holiday Platter Like No Other.” Achievements like these greatly uplift crew morale and contribute to a positive onboard environment, especially during the festive season.”
We are delighted to announce the winner of MCTC’s Cooking Competition 2025. The theme was “Festive Centrepiece” and we are thrilled to congratulate Chief Cook Raffy M. Estilo onboard Blackcomb Spirit for his dish aptly entitled “A Holiday Platter Like No Other”
With a creative centerpiece made of vegetables jutting out of the table spread, MCTC was truly impressed and will be awarding Chief Cook Raffy with a prize in recognition of his achievement.
Here’s a proud message from Captain Mohit Makhija:
“We sincerely appreciate MCTC’s continued support and recognition of our galley crew’s efforts. Congratulations as well to all participants for their enthusiasm and we look forward to participating in future competitions and continuing to showcase the talents onboard.”
Chief Cook Raffy also shares with us his table inspiration:
“In the maritime world, a holiday party is a rare moment of connection. For our recent festivities, we decided to celebrate Christmas and New Year together. My “sous chef”, Messman Jamaico Almazan and I wanted to create something that elevated the standard buffet. The result was “A Holiday Platter Like No Other,” a culinary centerpiece designed to represent the soul of our crew.
At first glance, the platter is a vibrant collection of the seafood dishes our officers and crew crave most. While these dishes are often served individually, bringing them together in a single, grand display symbolizes our unity as a family at sea.
The arrangement is inspired by the feathered tail of a peacock, an ancient symbol of prosperity, the very thing every seafarer dreams of providing for their loved ones back home.
The centerpiece also features a unique, hand-carved figure that serves as the “head and body” of the display. It is intentionally abstract: Is it a dragonfly? A bird? A dragon? A snake? Much like the crew of the Blackcomb Spirit, its identity is complex. We come from different cultures, speak different languages, and represent many nationalities. Just as the sculpture merges various forms into one striking figure, we merge our diverse lives into one mission.
This platter was about honoring the spirit of the seafarer. It stands as a reminder that no matter how far we sail or how different our backgrounds may be, on this ship, we are one family moving toward a shared dream of prosperity.”
With a very supportive team like this, who knows what else one can win!
Enjoy the mouth-watering photos of some of the submitted entries:
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