A taste of grand pianono

MANILA, Philippines - One would remember starmaker Joy de Leon during her Vicor and Viva Films days. She was the manager of talents such as Verni Varga, Iwi Laurel, Carlo Orosa and Ali Sotto; and producer of concerts of Martin Nievera, Basil Valdez, Southborder, and the Side A band who called her the “grand pianono queen.”

To her artists, crew and staff, Joy was loved not only for her professionalism and generosity, but also for her culinary skill in cooking and baking dishes and pastries served during planning sessions, meetings or rehearsals. Her pianono was an instant hit.

Joy of the “grand pianono” fame is back in town. For those who have been recipients of Joy’s velvety, melt-in-your mouth, silken pianono, this homecoming is cause for jubilation. Joy’s pianono is feathery light with a tinge of citrus (dayap, orange, lemon or lime?); smooth, with the creamy richness of cheese; and moist, with the luscious sweetness of yema. One can easily consume seven to 10 slices of the grand pianono in one sitting. 

   When Joy moved to Los Angeles in the late ’90s, her pianono became a rarity. On her occasional home visit, she continued to gift her friends with pianono, which further stoked her friends’ craving for more. They began to fondly refer to Joy’s pianono as the “grand pianono.”

Today, upon the urging of friends and peers alike, Joy has agreed to shuffle between Los Angeles and Manila to produce the “grand pianono” on a commercial scale. She has also been prevailed upon to market her other mouth-watering dishes, one of which is her lip-smacking crispy Korean chicken wings, which stay scrumptious and unbelievably crunchy for hours.

Another “must have” is her golden-brown plump chicken relleno, generously stuffed with pistachio nuts and original chorizo de bilbao. Joy’s chicken relleno is without the extenders and fillers like raisins, carrots and peas. She has also done away with the usual two or three pieces of whole hard-boiled eggs which, Joy claims, is an extender that turns gray and tough during the prolonged cooking time of the chicken. The gravy for the chicken relleno is brimming with full cheese flavor.

For details, call 0927-6625757, 0917-8177790, 0908-8845818, 927-7293 or 436-2671.