Celebrity chef charms Pinoy foodies

The Ayala Malls recently brought chef and best-selling cookbook author Rocco DiSpirito to Manila to share his unique culinary techniques with Filipino food lovers.

DiSpirito was hailed Food & Wine’s "Best New Chef" in 1999 and Gourmet magazine’s "America’s Most Exciting Young Chef" in 2000. He is the author of Rocco’s Five Minute Flavor, Rocco’s Italian-American and Flavor, winner of the 2004 James Beard Award for Best Cookbook.

The man who was once called the "Sexiest Chef Alive" by People magazine was quickly whisked off upon arrival to a casual dinner at Gaudi in the new Piazza Serendra in Fort Bonifacio. Gaudi’s chef Alexandra Cacho whipped up a four-course menu for the visiting chef. After the hearty dinner, DiSpirito trooped to nearby Guava for some mouth-watering Filipino desserts.

During the next three days of his Philippine stopover, DiSpirito regaled the food-loving crowds gathered at Greenbelt, Alabang Town Center and Ayala Center Cebu with savvy cooking tips and practical kitchen techniques.

Aside from DiSpirito, Ayala Malls also brought in the past The Fab Five of Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Constantine Maroulis of American Idol among others. I wonder who they have in mind to bring to the country next.

Brands of success

International and local Superbrands executives converged at the Manila Diamond’s Grand Ballroom to pay tribute to 43 domestic and foreign brands that have stamped their enduring marks of success on the Philippine commercial landscape.

Festivities began at 6 p.m. when cocktails started and door gifts given out as attendees intermingled just outside the ballroom amid exhibition stands showcasing respective "super" brands. Star columnist Johnny Litton hosted the program for the night.

Present for the event were Superbrands Ltd. Global chairman Steve Smith, Global CEO/ president of Superbrands Ltd. Eamon Sadler and Superbrand Marketing International Inc. chairman Karl McLean.

Superbrand Marketing International Inc. is now also starting work on its fifth Superbrands Philippines book and shall be hosting a Superbrands Badminton tournament for companies every year starting February 2007. The tournament shall be open to all companies so they can feel what it’s like to mix with "Superbrands."

(For any corporation interested, please call Superbrand Marketing International at 757-6312 or contact Karl McLean at 0917-886 2931 or Marissa Aguilar at 0920-932 6451.)

A double celebration

There really was cause for friends to gather on a Sunday night to celebrate the birthdays of Maripi Muscat and Choy Cojuangco. Al and Carla Tengco played hosts for the delectable Sunday night dinner at their house.

Appetizers included mouth-watering truffled salami and the piece de resistance was prime rib carving served with bone marrow sauce. Carla’s exceptional fish terrine with homemade mayonnaise was, as usual, one of the first to go, as well as her spaghettini with anggulas and arugula.

Marta Matute made her very specially crafted (and delicious) cakes for the two celebrants.

Maripi’s cake resembled a Manolo Blahnik Shoe Box and a shoe while Choy’s was adorned with bottle replicas of Ketel One and Stolichnaya Elit vodka and Patron tequila.

Guests did stay late (for a Sunday), well, at least until midnight to greet Choy and Maripi a very happy birthday!

Painting the town red (and black)

World-famous Swiss brand Victorinox painted the town red and black as it celebrated the launch of its new collection of innovative and high quality travel gear and bags at The Podium. The event, called Victorinox: A Red and Black Moment, gave guests a good look at the newest collection of the latest collection of luggage and bags that live up to the heritage of precision, innovation, quality and timeless style built by Victorinox since developing the Swiss Army knife in 1891.

Guests of honor were deputy head of missions of the Swiss Embassy Irene Flueckiger and trade officer of the Swiss Business Hub Melanie Zoref.

During the affair hosted by Apples Aberin Sadhwani, guests were treated to sumptuous Swiss-inspired cocktails while models from the Professional Models Association of the Philippines paraded the new products on a cross-shaped runway depicting the Swiss brand’s logo.

The "red and black" event ushered in the next level in luxury travel gear with such a collection.

(E-mail me at [email protected])