Hunks in the kitchen

MARCO Alcaraz and Luis Alandy. Photos by Bayani San Diego Jr.

Along with other celebrities managed by Noel Ferrer, the Kapuso studs have just signed up for an intensive six-session training program on Culinary Arts Fundamentals at the Cuisinier Brasserie in Quezon City.

Luis, who was a junior in Psychology (at San Sebastian College) before show biz beckoned, is raring to go back to school after 11 years.

Being a bachelor, he often prepares his own meals, he says. He feels enrolling in a culinary course will further enhance his skills in the kitchen.

Luis, who is in the new Claudine Barretto-Jolina Magdangal series, “Iglot,” does his own grocery shopping, too.

A former pesca/pollo vegetarian, he is saddened by the “fishkill” incident in Batangas, where he owns a farm (in Mataas na Kahoy). “I love eating tilapia and sole,” he admits.

He hopes to master Italian dishes under the school/resto’s chef Mafe Seva.

He used to whip up the baon (packed snack) of a former girlfriend who works at a call center, he recalls. “I made spaghetti and other simple dishes for her.”

He doesn’t think cooking would necessarily mean added pogi (plus) points, however. “It just makes you self-sufficient. If you want a meal done exactly to your tastes, you had better do it yourself.”

Marco, on the other hand, regards culinary school as training for married life. He is engaged to beauty queen Precious Lara Quigaman, who is taking the same course, also under chef Mafe.

“I want to learn Lara’s favorite dish, ginataang alimango at hipon (crabs and shrimp in coconut milk),” Marco says. “We often dine at Dampa (a fresh seafood market-restaurant).”

PRECIOUS Lara Quigaman. Photos by Bayani San Diego Jr.

“Niña is studying at the Cordon Bleu in Paris, France,” Marco relates. “After her graduation, we hope to go into business together. Lara, Luis and I are taking cooking classes to learn the basics.”

Coincidentally, he says, “Chef Mafe also graduated from Cordon Bleu in London.”

Marco, who took up Business Management (also in San Sebastian), scheduled his classes on days off from the GMA 7 series, “Sisid.” Lara says Marco is excited to go back to school. “He even brought a school bag with him,” she says.

After culinary arts, Marco and Luis, along with Noel’s other talents, intend to take up Disaster Management and Rescue Operations with the Philippine Red Cross, inspired by the example set by TV host Paolo Bediones.