Allen Gacweng is an Igorot chef from Mankayan, Benguet, Philippines. He grew up in a small village in the Cordillera Mountains, where he developed a passion for cooking. Gacweng attended the TESDA-Cordillera State Institute of Technical Education (CSITE) Main Campus, where he studied culinary arts.
In August 2023, Gacweng represented the Philippines in the WorldSkills ASEAN Competition, a prestigious skills competition for young people from ASEAN countries. He competed against 10 other skilled contenders in the Cooking category, and he won the Medallion of Excellence. He was mentored by Chef Mary Kristine Iris C. Pasion, an expert in Cooking, who provided him with meritorious support and guidance during the WorldSkills ASEAN Competition.
Gacweng's victory is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has always been passionate about food, and he is also a self-taught chef with some formal training.
Gacweng's journey to success began in a small village in the mountains of Benguet, where he developed a passion for cooking. He would often experiment with different ingredients from the local market.
After graduating from high school, Gacweng attended TESDA to further his culinary education. At TESDA, Gacweng learned the fundamentals of culinary arts, including food preparation, cooking techniques, and food safety.
Gacweng's hard work and dedication paid off in 2022, when he won the Gold medal in Cooking at the Philippine National Skills Competition. This qualification allowed him to compete at the WorldSkills ASEAN Competition, where he once again proved himself to be one of the most promising young chefs in the Philippines.
Gacweng is a role model for young people everywhere. He shows us that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and work hard. He is also an inspiration to aspiring chefs, proving that you don't need to go to culinary school to be successful.
Gacweng is excited to continue his journey as a chef. He plans to open his own restaurant one day and share his love of Filipino cuisine with the world. He is also committed to using his skills to help others, especially young people from his community.
Gacweng is a true inspiration, and we can't wait to see what he accomplishes next.
