Culinaire 2017: Our Passport to a Flight of Flavors

Congratulations to Juan Carlo catering for winning three awards (Best Appetizer, Best Main Dish and Best Setup) at the Culinaire 2017 event held last night at SMX Convention Center Manila.

I believe Juan Carlo emerged as the crowd favorite as well last year. They have obviously been consistent with the quality and taste of their dishes even in small servings.

Juan Carlo was followed by Conrad Manila for winning two awards (Best Dessert and Best Service). There were 14 that night but the awards were all received by the said two caterers as voted by the attendees themselves.

Though the caterers had been designated to offer specialties coming from different countries (Germany, China, Japan, Korea, Italy, Turkey, France, USA, India, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand and the Philippines) to conform with the theme of the night "Flight of Flavors," where we had a boarding pass and passport accompanying us as we roam around our different culinary destinations.

But before all the tummy traveling treats, the management of SMX welcomed the attendees and presented the good news that happened, happening nd about to happen with their many venues from Megatrade Halls to SMX Conventions Centers here in Manila and other areas like Davao and Cebu.

Conrad Manila got Best Dessert and Best Service Awards

Juan Carlo Catering got three awards (Best Appetizer, Best Main Dish and Best Setup)

The caterers who participated were the same batch as last year but with the addition of three more (Kitchen City, M Catering and Fine Foods, and Manila Catering). The original batch are LJC Group Catering Service, Tamayo's Catering, TJIOE, Via Mare, Albergus, Bizu, Conrad Manila, Hizon's Catering, Josiah's Catering, Event Shaker Mobile Bar (the only bar) and Juan Carlo.

All caterers have given their best but still everyone was required to vote for their chosen ones to win five awards. It is also times like these that many would wish they have a bigger stomach. With 14 caterers (1 bar) offering delightful dishes, you could not really fit everything in one seating so I had to go through every dish offering half-way . Meaning, I had to eat only half or just a portion of everything so I would have room for everything. I felt I had this obligation to judge them well so skipping a caterer was not an option. My mission that night was to taste everything even if it means not being able to consume the entire portions of the dishes.

To be objective in my judgement, I had to sacrifice eating only half of that Churros, just a portion of that Slow Braised Beef Ribs and Roasted Leg of Ham, just a piece of that Azuki Pearls with Rose Jelly ..... you get the idea.

Juan Carlo's Beef Brasatto truly was tender and tasty deserving of the Best Main Dish win. Their Setup is equally superb since it attracts attention in just one look, while their Wrap a la Portofino appetizer is worth every praise.

Conrad Manila's dessert CO2 Soju Lime was quite unique for me and makes you want to return for more as your happy ending.

The organizers of the event know very well to offer finger foods and cocktails before the event started, and the final drink of coffee that was available for everyone at one side of the venue.

Culinaire is really an event I always look forward to. Being my third time at a Culinaire event has given me the opportunity to compare, and I could very well say that the event has been constantly improving every year. Congratulations to SMX for a very successful event.

Fashion Revolution: Sarah Geronimo and Jak Roberto Grace 12th Anniversary of Michaela

Aside from Sarah Geronimo, Michaela now has a male endorser, in the person of Jak Roberto, for their male products like belts, wallets, sling bags, etc., but it seems the ladies are more excited seeing him at the 12th Anniversary Fashion Revolution. They obviously want to attract more male customers but I've seen lots of young ladies swooning over the hunk during his time on stage performing at the 12th Anniversary celebration of Michaela dubbed as Fashion Revolution.

Michaela held their special event at Robinson's Mall Manila on September 30, 2017. The event had two parts of which the first was dedicated more in engaging with their avid customers by allowing them to join games and win Michaela merchandize as prizes.

While the second part was the main event and hosted by Mr. Steven Silva and Ms. Stephany Stefanowitz. This is when both brand ambassadors, Sarah Geronimo and Jak Roberto finally performed on stage and spent a few more minutes of interview with the hosts, and limited photo ops with fans who purchased Michaela products that was available at special prizes that day only.

But even before the two ambassadors set foot on stage to please the crowd, there were already several fashion segments, presentation of M Cares, and song and dance numbers to entertain and inform the crowd.

A Delightful Dinner of Sustainable Seafood & Wine Pairing at 22 Prime

For the whole month of October, get to experience a sumptuous Sustainable Seafood and Wine Pairing dinner treat for less than Php3,000.

You'll definitely dine with heart at 22 Prime  of Discovery Suite as it now offers an elaborate Sustainable Seafood Menu featuring artisanal fishing seafood products, in partnership with Meliomar Sustainable Seafood Solutions.

At a media launch held just a few days before the month of October, selected members of the media, together with the peeps from Discovery Suites and their partner brands, were invited to try their proud dinner offering.

I have to say that the night was not only filling but tasty as well for both meals and wine servings. Add the ambiance of the 42nd floor which is the highest point of Discovery Suite, you'll feel the elegance rarely experienced by the average person. At an amount justifiable as a reward for a good day's work, you'll never think twice of coming to dine on this fabulous treat.

The four-course dinner was worth the traffic congestion afterwards as the taste of both wine and seafood still lingered making it a very memorable night of gastronomic delight. We have to thank the chef for such a magnificent dinner, and the three kinds of wine as your choices to be paired with every dish except the dessert.

I  must admit I was already anticipation of the next dish after tasting the fresh Mackerel Fish Carpaccio and Spanner Crab Fritters with Compressed Fennel Salad, Micro Greens, and Seaweed Pepper. All parts of the dish offer distinctively unique tastes which prompts you to also try them out individually or in combination.

Second dish served was the Seafood Volute with Saffron Foam served Parmesan Herbs. Now this soupy dish has mutually complementing solid and liquid ingredients that you'll want to come back to have more.

The main course is a succulent Surf and Turf, Sous Vide Fillet Mignon and Grilled Selva Prawns, with Cauliflower Puree, Baby Carrots, and Mushroom Dust, served with Truffle and Garlic Compound. You'll be amazed with the size of the two pieces of prawn. One would already fill you up but they have two to further satisfy you. But wait there's more so make room for the meat that's perfectly cooked as tender and juicy just the way we like it.

Head on to dessert with a delightful Fresh Strawberry Soup with Grilled Peaches and White Chocolate Mousse. Of course, all great meals must end with a great dessert. It is not very often that I get to experience sweet endings that has soup combined with Chocolate Mousse and my favorite fruits like peaches and strawberry.

The special line-up is paired with a choice of Renmano Chairman’s Selection Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay, or Anakena Sauvignon Blanc distributed exclusively to hotels of Futuretrade.

Thank you Discovery Suite for inviting us at your special intimate event. I feel honored being part of it.

Sustainable Seafood The Discovery Leisure Company envisions that all menus across their hotels and resorts will serve only seafood sourced from sustainable fishing by 2020. An effort to address seafood depletion and artificial seafood cultivation, artisanal fishing involves small scale fisheries that perform natural breeding and traditional fishing techniques, having low impact on aquatic habitats and high catch selectivity. Hence, not only is the aquatic environment preserved, but also are the seafood products organic and fresh.

This Sustainable Seafood Specials and Wine Pairing promotion runs October 1 until October 30, 2017. Delight in these sumptuous seafood specials while supporting a good cause for the country’s aquatic environments and noble fishermen. 

22 Prime at the 22nd floor of Discovery Suites, 25 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, and is open daily from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. For inquiries and reservations call +63 2 719 8888, e-mail reservations@ds.discovery.com.ph, or visit http://www.discoverysuites.com/bars-restaurants/22-prime/



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