Good food, good wine in Cebu festivals

How times have changed! As far as I can recall, all food festivals, some grand and more elaborate than others, highlighted the best of only one country’s cuisine for a given period of time. But that seems not to be the case anymore. Recently, the Cebu City Marriott Hotel, in cooperation with Singapore Airlines, hosted a European food festival. Imagine the culinary traditions of an entire continent all in one week. I certainly praised the luck and counted the blessings.

European Union Ambassador Hans Dekok was the guest of honor, together with Christiane Wasfy, the ever so involved in so many noble projects Marriott general manager, and Singapore Airlines country manager Geoffrey Wong cut the ceremonial ribbon that launched the festivities dubbed as European Entree.

The festival featured visiting Austrian executive sous chef Daniel Ruckenbauer, who has had a string of experiences in the hospitality industry, more specifically in the world of food and beverage, that has taken him from Europe to Asia and the Middle East. A recipient of four Bill Tiefel Awards, Ruckenbauer surprised the invitees with a never-seen delectable buffet. Among my favorites were the whole salmon in crust and the stuffed lamb. For desserts, the Austrian kitchen whiz offered apple strudel, Swiss roll with wine, chateau walnut pudding and other sweet delights.

Enjoying the feast were members of the diplomatic corps such as honorary consuls Richard Forteau of France, Antonio Chu of the Slovak Republic, Markus Stern of Switzerland, Jaime Picornell of Spain, and Samuel Chioson of Portugal.

* * *

Meanwhile, at another affair in the neighboring island of Mactan, wine connoisseurs were afforded a rare treat when enterprising brothers Alex and Clifford Lichaytoo of Bacchus International and Shangri-La Mactan Island Resort co-hosted a cocktail party at the hotel’s grand ballroom.

Special guests were wine producers Antonio Zaccheo of Italy, Jannik Von Freislebon of First Growth Asia and French vintner Marianne Fessy.

Members of the Cheese and Wine Club, headed by its founder and president Dondi Joseph and other wine enthusiasts, were seen enjoying an evening of exquisite finger food, excellent wine and great company.