Cordillera - A proud Igorot and Bicolano band vocalist JR Royol was named the first ever Pinoy MasterChef in the grand finals of the "MasterChef Pinoy Edition: The Live Cook-off" held at the SM North Edsa Skydome in February 9, 2013.
Royol's unique dish called "Bigorot", a blend of Bicolano and Igorot words to honor his parents' hometown and heritage was the winning dish approved by the judges.
"My game plan was to prepare a dish that would represent my roots. I incorporated the smoky flavors from Benguet and the used of coconut milk, which is very Bicolano," Royol said.
Royol's dish bested other cooks Carla Mercaida of Bulacan, Ivory Yat of Quezon City and Myra Santos.
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His dish scored an average of 96 points in the 30-minute long live cooking show from host-judges Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, Ferns Aracama, JP Anglo and Rolando Laudico, and celebrity guest judges Kris Aquino and Richard Gomez.
As the first Pinoy MasterChef, Royol received a P1 million check, a kitchen showcase, and a Diploma Program for Professional Culinary Arts scholarship at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies.