A Boholano has proven his mettle in international culinary arts.

Rex Alba, a food enthusiast from the Province of Bohol, who works as a physical therapist in Ohio, USA has made it to the Top 3 in “The Great American Recipe (Season 4)” cooking show where he highlighted the rich flavors and textures of Filipino cuisine.

In the six-weeks of the competition, Alba showcased best Filipino dishes such as dinuguan (pork blood stew), kare-kare (oxtail, vegetable and peanut sauce stew), among a bevy of recipes.

During the final round of the cooking competition, which spanned three hours, Alba prepared chicken inasal (roast chicken), leche flan, achara (pickled green papaya relish), including halo-halo (dessert and refreshment featuring a colorful combination of ingredients in shaved ice – red beans, fruit preserves, bananas, coconut gel, sago pearls, ube, leche flan, among others).

Alba said he "takes deep pride to be among the Top 3 contenders given the blessed opportunity" to showcase the best of Filipino dishes on an international stage, and what makes these viands extra special.

“There is a story behind each plate, each dish; each dish nato duna gyud kay story nga ma-istorya,” Alba said.  

(via Orchids Lapingcao/GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak)