Doreen Fernandez Food Writing Contest 2012

The lady who started it all: DOREEN FERNANDEZ

 I get asked this question a lot: how did you get into food writing? The answer is the Doreen Fernandez Essay Writing Contest. I had started a small (puny!) business of making traditional tsokolate (from bean to froth from the batidor) and I really just wanted my Nana Meng's name (our grand aunt from whom we learned all foods Bulacan) in this most prestigious book. I saw the ad in the papers, had nothing better to do, was just high from hot chocolate tripping in Manhattan, so I submitted an entry.

Skinny me w food greats Micky Fenix, Myrna Segismundo, Amy Besa.

 Later I get a lovely call from Micky Fenix, who it turns out is a living legend in the food writing industry, to tell me that I was a finalist and if I could please join the group on awards day. Awards day turned out to be lunch at the then-existing Chef Ed's of Ed Quimson. I remember being enthralled by this crowd of "foodies' - foodie wasn't even an 'it' word back then - and the 'foodies' being enthralled by Chef Ed's cooking. 

On my table, I can no longer remember the specific faces but I do remember this: that one was a senior editor of a food magazine, another had a doctorate in literature, another had joined the contest several times and always won. So in my head I'm screaming, "What am I doing here?!!!"

I didn't win the grand prize. Joy Subido (now food columnist of Philippine Star) brought home the bacon. I made it as Finalist (BUT hit my objective of making the book!) But Micky Fenix was so encouraging. And I think it was she who whispered to me, "Dapat nanalo ka eh kaso ang dami mong footnotes!!!" So much for Ateneo Law Journal training!

It was this DGF piece that I submitted to the Inquirer when they asked me if I was interested in food writing. And happily, PDI EIC Letty Jimenez Magsanoc, then-Lifestyle Editor Chelo Banal and then - SIM EIC Alya Honasan allowed me a break. I've been writing food stories since. =)

I also remember being just a skinny 106 lbs back then. I think it was 2004. Thirty pounds later, it's the DGF Awards' 10th Anniversary! For those of you interested to submit an entry, here are the details. Go for it!!!

Write about sweets and win

When Doreen Gamboa Fernandez wrote the essay “Inside Information:  A Tribute to Mothers” (Tikim, Anvil Publishing, 1994), she ended with a recipe each from four of the cookbooks she featured. Each book she described as “a delicious record of our familial culture, and a document of mother-love and woman-power.” The “mother-recipes” were all sweet: Enriqueta David's Pinipig Ice Cream, S.R. de Veyra's and MPZ Mascunana's Honey Mousse, Pura Villanueva Kalaw's Jalea de Calabaza and Purita Kalaw Ledesma's Corn Alupi or pudding.
      For this year's Doreen Gamboa Fernandez (DGF) Food Writing Award, sweets or himagas or minatamis is the subject matter. It is a fitting last chapter for the book that will publish the winning DGF essays (including honorable mention) through the years of the competition. This is the tenth year and because this year's winners will also be included, the deadline has been moved up to April 10, 2012.
      Every year the rules are the same. Entries have to be in English, in essay form and should be 800 words or 5,000 characters. Contestants can submit up to two essays but each one has to have a different pen name. A separate file should include author's information such as pen name, real name, address, telephone numbers (cell and/ or landline). Indicate if you are a student although this has no bearing on the judging. Submit through email to dgfawards@yahoo.com.ph. Remember the deadline--April 10, 2012.
      For inquiries email to the same address or call Girlie Canlas at 632-895-2021.
      Prizes include cash, books and inclusion in the DGF Food Writing Award book.