The belles of Taste Buddies

MANILA, Philippines - Isabelle Daza and Solenn Heussaff have become every viewer’s “taste guide” for the past five seasons of their GMA News TV weekend show Taste Buddies. The experience is always a gastronomic ride for the gourmand and the gourmet. The belles of Taste Buddies have entered their show’s sixth season, exploring other territories of a lifestyle show. Expect them to give one a run-down of what’s in and what’s not.              

“It’s a total lifestyle show,” says Isabelle. “When I and Solenn go on a vacation and travel, we sometimes think that this is good for Taste Buddies. (I think we can do) travel trips.”

“Before, it was all about cooking,” adds Solenn. “We want to expand its market reach. We now have sports, cooking, restaurants and art exhibits.”

Segments on fashion, fitness, health and beauty are also in the line-up, says Isabelle. Food, however, remains the show’s “main highlight,” emphasizes Solenn.  

According to Isabelle, she and best friend Solenn are “hands-on” with their show. Isabelle wears the hat of a talent coordinator when the show needs to guest their friends like Georgina Wilson and Liz Uy. “I call them up. We also get to convince our non-showbiz friends (to appear on the show).”

This is true since the hosts hobnob with the “Who’s Who” of life and style.  

“Belle will do trivia,” shares Solenn. “Mine (my segment) is more on fashion and beauty tips. I’ll have make-up and fashion styling segments. I did fashion styling with tinderas (vendors).” And the items are definitely available and affordable.

As for make-up, Solenn prefers one that will bring out one’s natural beauty and doesn’t go for “file-up or heavy” looks. 

On top of this, Solenn can also share her visual art story.

“I haven’t painted since last year,” she says. “I have phases in painting. When I’m in the mood, I can paint every day. If I’m not, I will not paint for a year. I do portraits or pictures of my dad, portraits of markets and places.”

If Solenn’s turf is painting, food is Belle’s field of expertise.  

“I like the food because we get to try different restaurants,” she says. “We always get to eat good food and the people are really gracious. They always give us free food. I also like the exercise (segment) because we need to work out after eating.”

Balancing your diet, Isabelle confesses, is the toughest part of hosting Taste Buddies. “I eat a lot and you can ask them (the staff). But I enjoy it.”

Aside from enjoying good food, Belle is into cooking. She has inherited this interest from her father side, the Dazas, and mom Gloria Diaz. “I do it when I don’t work. I would like to think of myself a little bit of a food critic because I’m always critical when it comes to good food. If it is something good, it has to be healthy for your body.”

Taste Buddies has given Isabelle and Solenn an avenue to show their interests and a platform to share them with the audiences. Hosting it is a dream come true.

“We can tell them to go to Subic and swim with the dolphins and it’s OK (with them),” says Isabelle. “We can go to Palawan. Then, (they will say) let’s organize it. People are just so willing for us to come and to interview them. You know, to feature their hotel and restaurant. I really love the show.”

What Isabelle and Solenn can promise their followers is to present “new trends, fun places to hang out, latest adventures and the latest fashion.” The taste and now lifestyle buddies are willing to go the extra mile to bring all this to your TV set.

(Catch Taste Buddies Saturday nights at 8:45.)