Pleasing the palate in a grand fiesta

It took nearly a year of meticulous planning and preparation for the Bailliage de Manille and the Bailliage de Cebu of the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs to perfect the gala event of the first ever in the Philippines Grand Chapitre of 2008.

But clearly without a doubt, the fruits of their labor were worth the efforts as the affair was an unprecedented success in the history of the organization.

The Grand Chapitre, organized by the Bailliage National des Philippines under Bailli Delegue Michel Lhuillier, the Bailliage de Manille under Bailli Federico Borromeo and the Bailliage de Cebu under Bailli Amparito Lhuillier was a five-day festival with three days in Manila and two in Cebu.

In Cebu, the celebration started with a well-attended  welcome cocktail reception at the well-maintained garden of the imposing Provincial Capitol. Members in their finest hand-embroidered barong tagalog and the ladies in Filipiniana  gowns welcomed guests to an evening of  congenial fiesta that showcased the pageantry of Filipino culture and  warm hospitality.

After a champagne reception guests moved to the historic Grand Ballroom of the Capitol where guest of honor Cebu Provincial Governor Gwendolyn Garcia formally welcomed the delegates representing 22 countries from Europe, America and Asia. In response Bailli Delegue Honorei Marie Jones expressed her gratitude and congratulations for the outstanding event, the pinnacle of the calendar year for the Bailliage de Cebu.

The dinner was simply outstanding. Each dish with a balance of flavors was delicately created by the island’s noted culinary service Café Laguna under the guidance of Lita Urbina and son chef  Raki Urbina. This was  matched with impeccable service amid  a magnificent garden setting of  palms and lush greenery. It was an exercise in excellence in all aspects.

The evening concluded with a musical presentation by popular Cebuano singers Zenith Rivera and Wendy Prado and the versatile Knapsack dancers whose upbeat stamina simply mesmerized everyone.

It was a memorable event  that lasted into the early hours. A gastronomic feast,  excellent wines and much camaraderie were enjoyed among friends, with the finest traditions of the Chaine truly upheld.