Honors for a Queen, Praises for a Chef

Netherlands Ambassador Theo Arnold and his tall, vivacious wife Kessara hosted one of the largest receptions ever held at the Inter-Con to celebrate the Dutch National Day, that is, the birthday of Queen Beatrix.

The Arnolds may not know it but years ago, before Beatrix became queen, she made a visit to Manila during which she saw the Filipinescas Dance Company in the trail-blazing folkloric ballet "Filipinescas: Philippine Life, Legend and Lore in Dance" as choreographed by Leonor Orosa Goquingco, now National Artist for Dance.

The Dutch monarchy has lately been receiving a lot of attention because of the marriages of two princes. Further, the Queen announced, nationwide, the engagement of her son, Crown Prince Wilhelm Alexander to Maxima Zorreguieta, an intelligent, modern and courageous woman who has won the hearts of the Dutch. The wedding, to be held early next year, will need the approval of Parliament because Maxima will eventually become queen.

In the home country, Queen’s Day is a perfect time to celebrate: it is the end of winter, the arrival of spring and the start of bright, sunny weather.

On that sanguine note, scores of guests from government, social, diplomatic and NGO circles at the reception drank a toast to H.M. Queen Beatrix.

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The Israeli Food Festival at the Captain’s Bar of the Mandarin Oriental was a unique gastronomic feast that drew glowing praise for visiting Miki Nir, executive chef of Dan Panorama Tel-Aviv Hotel.

Jointly hosted by Mandarin Oriental, Rital Limited and the Israeli Embassy, the opening luncheon was preceded by a ribbon-cutting ceremony presided by guest of honor Ambassador Irit Ben-Abba, GM Helmut Gaisberger, Chef Nir, First Secretary Hagit Ban-Yaakov and Oni Amiel of Amiel Tours.

Chef Nir outdid himself preparing his irresistable authentic Israeli dishes–couscous, falafel, muhallabi, hummus, baklava and megadarra. Chefs Gil Belhasan and Golon Israeli assisted Mr. Nir.

Tita Trillo of Anthony’s Wines and Spirits confessed to her marketing director Maribel del Rosario that she was certainly getting culinary ideas from Chef Nir. So were Isabel Wilson, Raquel Delgado, George Uy, Bess Bolongaita and actress Vivian Velez who came with her Israeli husband Tuvia Levy.

Imaginably, so were Commercial Attaché Robert Bannerman, Consul Bobby Joseph, Ambassadors Gilles Chouraqui, Anatoli and Valentina Khmelnitski, Herbert and Micheline Jess, Werner and Susanna Baumann, Julio Cardenas, Jacky Foo and Dr. Yu Sumian, Ulf and Lena Hakansson, Peter and Brigitta Rosting, Umberto and Clara Colesanti, John and Alice Buckley and Chargé d’ Affaires Michael and Karen Malinowski.

Incidentally, they couldn’t quite decide which to admire more, Chef Nir’s superb culinary creations or the charming, candid chef himself. He delighted and amused them with such revelations as the following: "I started out as a farmer, became a general manager years later, after which I decided to do what I truly love doing–cooking. But who knows, I might end up driving a truck!"