MILLIE: When I think of Great Britain, I think of the Beatles, high tea and pubs! I have fond memories of the UK, as it was one of the first countries I visited with my mom when I was only 17 years old. I’ve been back several times since, once with my sister Dorcie to visit Louie Cruz, whose father was then ambassador to the Court of St. James.
I also took Karla on her first trip to London when she was only 13. My roommate in Switzerland, Claire Waugh Millican, is from the UK and we are still in touch to this day.
It was Claire who taught me the refinements of serving and enjoying a “cuppa†of tea for friends who dropped by our tiny apartment, which we shared together. The English serve their tea black with milk and never cream. I developed a fondness for high tea, which is served with biscuits, finger sandwiches, scones and jam assortments with fine tea.
Speaking of tea, I keep a collection of flavored teas in a jewelry box with multiple compartments and when I entertain, I usually offer the entire selection for guests to choose from.
Claire and I would spend Friday nights with school friends at a local British pub called Mr. Pickwick. We would already be half-drunk, coming from a wine-tasting session all afternoon at school, and the pub would always be our next and last stop before going home. It was at this English pub where I was influenced by Claire to appreciate sherry, a Spanish wine from Jerez in Andalusia, Spain, that became popular in the UK when Sir Francis Drake brought it home after a battle.
My favorite pub food was naturally the urban street-food favorite, fish ’n’ chips which, if done right, is crisp to the bite, the fish moist and succulent, the beer batter coating golden fried. It is usually served with malt vinegar and fried potato wedges.
I can never forget our final exams when Claire was tasked to do the famed Beef Wellington, a fillet of beef or tenderloin covered with paté de foie gras and encrusted in a puff dough. The culinary finals were nerve-wracking and stressful as a team of professional chefs was watching closely, judging us. Poor Claire was so nervous that, without thinking, she plucked the beef wellington out of the oven with her bare hands and, naturally, “Ouch! That burned!†So much for that. Now, every time I order a beef wellington, I think of Claire and her disaster. But up to now, I’m still unsure if this famous dish was named after the first Duke of Wellington.
KARLA: Mom and I were recently invited to the launch of British Food Month. Seeing all the British flags made me feel as if one of the Spice Girls would pop up at any moment. It brought me back to the times I stuck pinups and posters of the Spice Girls on my walls, and how till today, I still know by heart the lyrics and choreography of Wannabe and Stop. The launch was held at the InterContinental Hotel, where they prepared a spread of food items set on a beautiful, illuminated buffet. They served potted shrimp, which is made from shrimp, clarified butter and nutmeg served in shot glasses and ceramic pots; chicken tikka masala; steak and kidney pie; mushy peas and, of course, the fish and chips.
For dessert, they had lemon syllabub, scotch trifle, and warm treacle pudding with vanilla custard sauce. Bottomless beverages were also provided by Twinings, which served both hot and cold teas, and Diageo, serving The Singleton, a 12-year single malt scotch whisky.
The event was only the launch of the British food month ongoing until Feb. 9, in which four hotels are participating. Dusit Thani Hotel had the Great British Carvery Brunch last Jan.12, 19 and 26 at Basix; Tosca had a special menu by British chef Derek Quelch; and the Dusit Thani lobby lounge had traditional English afternoon tea last Jan. 13-17. Edsa Shangri-La is having a Great British Feast at Heat and The Great British Afternoon Affair at the newly renovated lobby lounge. InterContinental manila will have British Pub Grub at Gambirinus and Sol Y Sombra. The Mandarin Oriental, Manila, will have an Anglo-Indian buffet at Paseo Uno, which aims to feature the diversity of British food and influences and a British-themed business lunch at The Tivoli from Feb. 3-9.
Just like mom said at the beginning, I was only 13 years old when we took the trip to the United Kingdom. Therefore, I can’t remember much about our trip to London except for Piccadilly Circus, the trip to Harrod’s and my mom going crazy over the baklavas, plus the unforgettable West End performances I had the privilege of watching: Phantom of the Opera and Beauty and the Beast. I remember being in the front row, screaming and almost jumping out of my seat as the chandelier of the phantom fell right in front of me. So when the show went on tour and recently showed here at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, I refused to watch it. I felt like I had the best Phantom experience in London and nothing else can compare to that.
Beauty and the Beast was beyond spectacular. I specifically remember whispering “Wow†during the musical number Be Our Guest. From the lighting to the costumes to the large number of people onstage performing with flawless timing and choreography. Brings me chills (until now) every time I think of that. Now, having a clear interest and appreciation of food, theater, and influences of diverse cultures and countries, what I would give to experience all that again. Perhaps our next big trip should be a trip to the United Kingdom? In between the food trips, we can catch a show of Miss Saigon and visit my best friend Gayl Porter-Laurel and her husband, Gabby Laurel, who is currently studying at the Cambridge School of Business. One can only dream.
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