Through TV shows like “MasterChef,” “Iron Chef” and even the high-strung “Hell’s Kitchen,” we’ve seen how cooking has veered from a necessary chore to become a creative outlet. The kitchen has become the “studio” for culinary artists, both pro and amateur.
A well-equipped kitchen, however, doesn’t come cheap, and that’s where SM Hypermarket has decided to step in. The supermarket will give five lucky shoppers the rare opportunity to have their home kitchen fully made over by professional interior designers from the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID), using materials sold at Hypermarket itself—for free.
It’s different from winning a kitchen showcase, in which “what you get, you have to fit into your kitchen.” says SM Food Retail Group VP for marketing Maria Lourdes Roque.
Instead, SM Hypermarket brings the designer to the winner’s kitchen, who analyzes the kind of makeover needed.
“If you need a little repainting, carpentry, we will do that for you,” says Roque. “It has to go with the rest of the house.”
SM Hypermarket shoppers can join the contest by buying P500 worth of grocery items, which must include any of the following brands/products: Knorr, Nestlé All-Purpose Cream, Unilever Food Solutions, Tabasco, Lee Kum Kee, Lady’s Choice, Maggi, Clara Ole, Kikkoman Soy Sauce, San Remo, Mc Cormick, Bounty Fresh Chicken, CDO, Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdog, Purefoods Star Hotdog, Magnolia Cheeze spread, Magnolia Purefresh, Magnolia All Purpose Cream and Magnolia Dari Crème.
Winners will be chosen through a raffle draw (every P500 purchase is equal to one coupon). A brief write-up on why they need the kitchen makeover is also required.
“We want a dramatic transformation,” says Roque.
As a teaser, interior designers Joselito Soriano Jr., JC Arcega, Mark Steven Perez and Vianca Anoñuevo set up samples of their work during the promo’s recent launch at SM Hypermarket Cubao.
Soriano used a contemporary theme for his design; Arcega, a “condo” kitchen; Perez, an outdoor Vacay kitchen; and Anoñuevo, Glam.
The Kitchen Makeover contest is part of SM’s Master Chefs promo, in celebration of SM Hypermarket’s 10th anniversary.
Aside from winning makeovers, shoppers can stop by Hypermarket every week and learn recipes from cooking demos by top chefs, such as Sau del Rosario of Museum Café, Le Bistro Vert and Chelsea Market, who at the launch showcased his recipe for Rustic Chicken Tuscan Stew; and chef Menoy Gimenez of C2 Cravings, who demonstrated at the launch his take on burrito.
The demos or “cooking marathons” are for the cooking enthusiasts, says Roque, “but there are also people who love to eat (such as me). We’re catering to two kinds of people: those who love to cook, and those who just really love their kitchen.”
A third component of the SM Master Chefs promo is its Supersized Cook-off events, set to take place in five different spots in the country. SM plans to partner with local governments to feature regional specialties at each activity.
Asian Stir-Fried Pasta
Recipe by chef Bruce Lim
2.5 g chopped ginger
5 g minced garlic
2 g green onions
5 g shiitake mushrooms
1½ tsp Lee Kum Kee Brand Oyster Sauce
150 g cooked spaghetti pasta
½ tsp sugar
30 g cornstarch
125 ml Lee Kum Kee Soup Base for Chicken Hot Pot, diluted
½ tsp Lee Kum Kee Chili Garlic Sauce
2.5 ml Lee Kum Kee Sesame Oil
20 ml vegetable oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Marinade for chicken:
1 tsp Lee Kum Kee Panda Brand Oyster Sauce
4 ml Lee Kum Kee Soy Sauce
15 g cornstarch
Marinate chicken in mixture for 10 minutes. In a saucepan, sauté garlic, ginger and onions in oil. Add in rest of the ingredients and sauté together. Serve on a plate.
