‘Knorr® Funlasang Pinoy Year 2’ Luzon Grand Winner Gives Classic Pinoy Sisig a Vegan Makeover

Hizon’s Catering Chef Nikko Roa showcases his culinary ingenuity with his healthier innovation of Filipino favorite sisig, the ‘Toasted Quinoa Vegan Sisig’

We’ve seen the classic Pinoy sisig done and served many ways. From the most beloved pork version, to the healthier alternatives in the chicken, seafood or even meatless sisig using tofu, one can almost say we’ve nearly seen it all.

Enter young and talented Chef Nikko Roa of Hizon’s Catering who has spent hours testing and innovating, all in effort to create his unique version of the Filipino classic - the ‘Toasted Quinoa Vegan Sisig’ – that was recently unveiled at the   Knorr® Funlasang Pinoy Year 2 Luzon Cook-off.

Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Year 2 Kicks Off with Luzon Cook-off

Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) Philippines awarded Chef Nikko Roa (3rd from the left) the Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Year 2 Luzon Championship with his Toasted Quinoa-Vegan Sisig, besting eight other finalists in the region. Awarding the winner (from L-R) are Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Year 1 winner Chef Dan Puga II, UFS Executive Chef Joanne Gendrano, UFS Philippines Operator Marketing Manager Irene Valdez, UFS Philippines Country Marketing Manager Pat Mallari, and Immediate Past President of LTB Philippines Chefs Association Chef Fernando Aracama.

• Nine Filipino chefs and cooks from different cities in Luzon battle it out with their most innovative take on classic Pinoy favorites crispy pata, adobo, bulalo, kare-kare, sisig

• Chef Nikko Roa with his Toasted Quinoa-Vegan Sisig among the three grand winners of this year’s Funlasang Pinoy Twist Fest presented by Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) Philippines and Knorr®

Filipinos are known to be talented and creative, and chefs and cooks who work silently at the back of house are no exception to that. In the first leg of the much-awaited Knorr Funlasang Pinoy Twist Fest Year 2, presented by Unilever Food Solutions (UFS) Philippines and Knorr®, nine culinarians from different cities of Luzon unleashed their innate creativity to make classic Pinoy dishes more enjoyable with fun twists. 

“We at UFS recognize that our local chefs and cooks are immensely talented in their craft, which is why we launched Funlasang Pinoy last year and have decided to continue it this year,” shared James Benedict Carreon, Managing Director of UFS Philippines. “We want to have a platform where Filipino culinarians can showcase their creativity and recognize their exemplary talents in innovating Pinoy dishes with fun twists.” 

Funlasang Pinoy Year 2 challenges chefs and cooks across the Philippines to showcase their modern take on the classic Pinoy favorites crispy pata, adobo, kare-kare, bulalo, and sisig.