Malipayong Pasko

Christmas, as celebrated by that merry band of gourmands, the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotissuers, always followed a central theme. We had a Symphony in Ice (2003), Ottoman Indulgence (2004), and in 2005, it was "Night with Mozart's Magic Flute". All these celebrations were held at the Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort.

Last December 18, it was again at Shangri-La and this banquet was planned to pattern it after the dinner of the ASEAN Heads of State. Uniquely Filipino was the main objective and this dinner was supposed to showcase the best of what the Philippine Culinary Arts can offer.

Because of a pesky typhoon, all those well-laid plans went kaput; however, the show... I mean the dinner...for the La Chaine must go on and this meant more work for your favourite food columnist. Unfortunately, for security reasons, I refuse to confirm or deny that all these wonderful Filipino dishes, as shown in these beautiful pictures, will be the same treat for those ASEAN top honchos.

My lips are sealed, even if enticed by two glasses of the Macon Blanc Villages, Louis Jadot, France, 2004 (which escorted the Visayan Seafood Salad). Neither can I be enticed to reveal this state secret by indulging with pleasure two more glasses of Chardonnay, Oak Vineyards California, 2002 (which accompanied the coconut soup and the lobster tail).

Nor I could I be bribed by a glass of Dolcetto d'Alba, Renato Ratti, Italy, 2004 (which attended the beef tenderloin) or two shots of Riesling Kabinett, Gunderloch, Jean Baptiste, Germany, 2002 (perfectly matched the mini brazo de Mercedes).

All this secrecy business gave me a headache and it could only be cured by a glass of cognac, preferably.... Hennessy, Remy Martin, Martell, Courvoisier, Hine, Otard, or Delamin. Really, any of these brands will do. Simple man lang ang akong taste buds!

With the Petit Fours, coffee and cigars, the 13TH Christmas Anniversary Dinner of the La Chaine came to an end. And my vocabulary of Filipino foods has greatly been enriched by this exciting parade of culinary elegance.

Kudos to GM Timothy Wright and the rest of the staff of Shangri-La's Mactan for hosting this great dinner!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.