Category Archives: Food & Wine

Of Anthuriums & Fiddle Head Ferns

In the extreme heat that hit Manila last May, we drove south from the city to Los Baños, to meet a group of provinicial businessmen and women who benefit from a local micro-financing program, partially supported by a social welfare … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Local Culture, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Of Anthuriums & Fiddle Head Ferns

Sugarleaf: guilt-free indulgence

Chefs and restaurateurs across Metro Manila are become noticeably more tuned in to healthy eating and are marketing their menus with trendy catch phrases like ‘organic’ and ‘pro-biotic’ (‘a  dietary supplement containing live bacteria, taken orally to restore beneficial bacteria … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Philippines | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Sugarleaf: guilt-free indulgence

Yering Station Comes to Makati

Last week Sala Fine Dining on Makati Avenue joined forces with The Wine Depot to host a dinner welcoming Australian Winemaker, Willy Lunn, to Manila. Sala has been around for about fifteen years, first in Malate, now on Makati Avenue, … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Yering Station Comes to Makati

Basking in Fresh Air at Lago de Oro

Satiate your thirst for a thrilling getaway… we bring you nonstop excitement from morning to night… every corner of Lago de Oro Beach Club spells fun and adventure. You’ll never run out of breathtaking moments to savor. It was quite … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Philippines, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Basking in Fresh Air at Lago de Oro

A Splash of Heaven

When we left Florence this summer, I had secreted a bottle of twelve year old balsamic vinegar I had bought in the Mercato Centrale. Wrapped tightly in a pair of jeans and tucked into the bottom of my suitcase, it … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Italy | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Gelato: a truly Italian invention

“Filipinos are not settling anymore for the commercialized, not-so-yummy, imported brands [of ice cream]” according to Filipino blogger Anton Diaz in his popular blog ‘Our Awesome Planet’. And indeed I have watched with fascination as local entrepreneurs create their own … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Italy, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Gelato: a truly Italian invention

The Culinary Heritage of the Philippines

Filipino food was prepared by Malay settlers, spiced by Chinese traders, stewed in 300 years of Spanish rule and hamburgered by American influence… Monina A. Mercado  Filipina food historian Doreen Fernandez calls this culinary fusion ‘indigenization’ – the process of … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Local Culture, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Sunday Market in Legazpi Village

When my husband and I wake up early on a Sunday, with nothing much on the day’s agenda beyond a strong urge to get out of the house, we find a taxi and potter down to the Legazpi Market.  Like … Continue reading

Posted in Food & Wine, Local Culture, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Sunday Market in Legazpi Village

The Chef Diairies: Butchery, the Crowning Glory

Fast forward through dissecting and trussing poultry, filleting a fish, and preparing squid and shrimp to our final cooking lesson. As we assembled at our stations, our instructor this week, Chef Kyla Rosales, introduced each of  us to a large … Continue reading

Posted in Cooking, Food & Wine, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Chef Diairies: Butchery, the Crowning Glory

The Chef Diaries: Knife Skills 101

Before we begin, I have to admit that I am not the most accurate or precise of cooks. If the recipe calls for an ingredient that doesn’t come immediately to hand, I find an alternative in the bottom of the … Continue reading

Posted in Cooking, Food & Wine, Philippines | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Chef Diaries: Knife Skills 101