Cool and windy comfort at Summit Ridge Tagaytay

MANILA, Philippines - As summer heat levels escalate so that even the road asphalt seems molten, city denizens welcome every chance for a cool respite. This makes Tagaytay City a tempting vacation alternative. Its lower humidity, cooler air and more laid-back pace are always appreciated. Factor in that Tagaytay is just an hour’s drive from the metro, and you have an ideal getaway destination.

We were in Tagaytay recently to enjoy a weekend of cooling and cooking, and were billeted at Robinsons Land’s Summit Ridge Hotel, the first mid-rise structure in the area. The hotel has an unobstructed vista of Taal Volcano and Taal Lake, allowing one to appreciate even more the serenity of the surrounding countryside. The sky offered a changing color palette from our room’s balcony as the day progressed: muted and gentle hues at dawn; noonday bright progressing to hazy afternoon; and then flickering neon nearby or blue-black dotted with random yellow lights later in the evening.

But we were in Tagaytay for more than just the view. Summit Ridge recently partnered with the Cravings Group to offer “The Culinary Getaway.” Apart from a visit to an organic farm, the itinerary included leisurely and easy cooking lessons with Center for Culinary Arts (CCA) chefs Trisha Ocampo and Menoy Gimenez. “Leisurely” here definitely did not mean lazy, so that participants really learned something from the hands-on cooking activities.

“This is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of city living and bond with family or friends,” says Dr. Ma. Veritas “Tawi” Luna, managing director of CCA. The partnership is the school’s first with Robinsons, and their highly qualified chefs see to the food and beverage requirements of Summit Ridge. The special culinary getaway is ideal for hobbyists or even couples who are just learning how to cook. Apart from the cooking sessions and a half-day tour, the package includes meals, accommodations and even transport to and from Tagaytay City.

One is expected to eat what one cooks, but fortunately for those who have no confidence in their kitchen skills there is good food at Annie’s. This Summit Ridge food outlet serves “American comfort cuisine” that includes Cordon Bleu chicken, pan-fried salmon steak with mustard cream and cider-braised pork chops. Annie’s is named after Annie Guerrero, founder of CCA and president of the Cravings Group that also runs Cravings restaurant and C2 Classic Cuisine, the outlet that both locals and balikbayans love for its innovative take on Filipino cooking. The best-sellers from these restaurants are served at Annie’s, so one good thing going for the latter is that diners expect to be able to order their favorite dishes from those other restaurants. It is like trying out three restaurants in one. 

 “We want to serve good food alongside our good facilities,” says Summit Ridge Hotel manager Cora Ang Ley. “There is something for everyone at the Summit Ridge. This is a live-work-play destination.” The hotel is ideal for conferences, with a fully equipped Learning Center and eight function rooms, but its badminton and basketball courts, gym and swimming pool encourage more leisurely pursuits. The Grand Ballroom and outdoor garden are perfect for picturesque weddings or other big gatherings, while a Sky lounge at the topmost level of the building could be your party place with an unbeatable view. Likewise, the Robinsons Summit Ridge promenade where one can shop and dine is just a few steps away.

Alternatively, one can visit Tagaytay’s scenic spots, take a boat ride on Taal Lake and go trekking on the crater island. For excursions like these, arrangements can be made with the hotel so that they can pack a sumptuous picnic hamper for guests to bring along. But then, that is for those who want to spend a busy and active weekend. A relaxing visit to the Godiva Skin Station or Nurture Spa might be more appealing to others.

However, some of us would rather sit in the garden, sip our cool drinks, take in the view, and enjoy the strong breeze that is ideal for kite-flying. We are convinced that this is an active pursuit as well. Why? You know how windmills stand in one place, yet are working hard to generate and store up energy? We were storing up enough relaxation to be able to face going back to the grueling urban heat of the big city. 

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Culinary Getaways for groups of 10 are held on weekends from 8 a.m. on Saturday to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Call CCA Manila at 994-2520 or visit www.cca-manila.com. Summit Ridge Hotel is at Km.58 General Aguinaldo Highway, Tagaytay City. For inquiries and reservations, call 0922-8526800 or e-mail reservations@summitridgehotel.com.