Cirque de Cuisine

MANILA, Philippines - CCA Kitchen, the one-stop culinary center formally opens its doors to the public tomorrow, Oct. 24 at the Level 3, Eastwood Mall in Libis, Quezon City. It is the satellite school of the Center for Culinary Arts, Manila (CCA, Manila) that offers the best lifestyle courses for couples, kids, yuppies, moms, dads/men, enthusiasts and pro-chefs.

CCA Kitchen’s concept is an Interactive Cooking Class where students can choose “A La Carte” which class or classes to enroll in depending on their particular tastes and lifestyle. CCA Kitchen believes that observation without participation is not learning and that partaking in simple tasks is part of the pleasure one derives from cooking.

Whether you are a couple, a kid, a yuppie, a mom, a dad/man, an enthusiast or a pro-chef, there is a lifestyle course that suits your tastes and needs. The lifestyle courses offered are for couples — You Me and Chocolate and Fancy Some French (coming soon); for kids — Pizza Parlor Day and Pasta All Day; for yuppies — Tapas Party, Sushi Shindig and Mixology; for moms — Terrific Thai and Incredible Italian; for dads/men — Cajun Cuisines/Jumping Jambalaya and Food for the Boys (American); for enthusiasts — Baking Beginners and Nyonya Novelty (coming soon); and for pro-chefs — Food Writing and Basic Food Photography.

All courses include ingredients, aprons, caps, recipes and use of equipment. All participants will receive a certificate of attendance after completion of the course.

A culinary fair titled Cirque de Cuisine is in store during the opening of CCA Kitchen at 4 p.m. at the Atrium of Eastwood Mall as well as cooking showcases and food preparations by renowned chefs of CCA, Manila. Everyone is invited to take part in games, activities and interactive program especially prepared for the event.

Some of CCA, Manila’s famous alumni are Chefs Tristan Encarnacion, Rosebud Benitez, Niño Logarta; Danica Sotto (two years Diploma in Culinary Arts Management); Diego Castro; Ai Ai delas Alas (level five of diploma course); Janice de Belen and Cristine Bersola-Babao and daughter Anya (short course); Ryan Agoncillo and Derek Ramsay (two days basic culinary training prior to their teleserye Ysabella); and Kris Aquino (one day knife skills required for a show).

Aside from CCA kitchen and its main campus in Katipunan Avenue, the other CCA, Manila schools are at the second floor of Farmer’s Market and Oceana Restaurant-School at SM Mall of Asia.

Mr. Gay World RP

I will be hosting the Mr. Gay World Philippines 2009 pageant night on Oct. 25, 9 p.m. at Metrobar, West Avenue, Quezon City. Judges’ night is at 6 p.m. on the same day at Cabalen Function Room, West Avenue with Mr. Gay World founder and president, Mr. Eric Butter.

The 15 judges who will be using personalized computers sponsored by STI to select who is the most deserving for the Mr. Gay World Philippines title are Carlene Aguilar, Joel Cruz, director Wenn Deramas, Eugene Domingo, Cesar Evangelista, BB Gandanghari, Cherie Gil, Raymond Lee, Star Cinema and ABS-CBN’s Adprom executive Roxy Liquigan, Cannes and Spain International Film Festival Best Director 2009 Brilliante Mendoza, Bishop Nikon Olido Jr., designer Oskar Peralta, beauty queen discoverer Renee Salud and Mike Santos, lead vocalist of Iskabeche.

Mr. Mr. Gay World Philippines 2009 is directed by Ronald Carballo and produced by Noemi Alberto, Mac Bordallo, Dennis Sebastian of Winstruck Events and Entertainment Productions. Tickets at P500 on a first come, first served basis are available at the gate.

What do you crave for?

Cravings Restaurant and Bakeshop marks its 21st year with Cravefest, a food festival held in all Cravings outlets until Nov. 6.

One of the Cravefest promos dubbed How Orange Can You Get entices customers to wear an orange bottom or top in order to avail of a 20 percent discount on their bill. And those who wear full orange attire can get their meal absolutely free.

For the sweet tooth, there’s Craving’s Cake and Coffee Festival where guests can have all the cakes, sweets and coffee they want for only P150.

 Another treat is the P21 Crave Deal where guests can buy their favorite junior cake for only P21 when they order any of the offerings from the new Cravings menu.

Guests can also have the chance to win a romantic dinner under the stars and an overnight stay at Seven Suites Hotel Observatory, or a birthday bash in any Cravings outlet for 21 people including the celebrant where food and venue is on the house. An overnight stay with breakfast in bed at Fraser Place, Manila or a 13-day course in cooking or baking at CCA Manila is also in the offing via Cravings’ What Do You Crave For? promo.