Are you counting?

Counting to Christmas, that is. And preparing, too. For entrepreneurs, it is not too late to plan. If you want to make extra money with home cooked/baked goodies, better get organized. Family menus should also now be considered and if possible cooking elements purchased to avoid what expectedly will be higher prices of all commodities.

We looked up a supply outlet in a lower middle class neighborhood at the corner of Benitez and P. Tuason in Quezon City, a 7-storey structure that looked like a medieval palace. The Chocolate Lovers’ Castle of Baking and Confectionery Arts must be a highly paranoid establishment, scared of romping children destroying the goods and shoplifters running away with a pound or two of their treasured chocolates that right at the entrance, one is urged to read a warning that no children 10 and below, yayas, drivers are allowed in because their "security guards can not be babysitters". Inside are notices (in Tagalog) about not doing anything foolish because cameras are strategically mounted. When we asked one security guard if any crime has been committed inside, he said, "Wala pa naman." So there.

So what do they have? Plenty, for those who bake to sell, everything from spatulas to mixers. The ground floor is full of baking ingredients, packed from half pound packets to large sizes. The enticing smell of chocolate pleasantly pervades and we wished we could bake. Nevertheless, here is we noted. Buttermilk, P73 a small pack; peanut butter, P97; oreo fudge, P236 a kilo; Bakersgel, ice cream coating like ube, corn and strawberry; sugar-free Belgian chocolates, dark, milk and white, which can now be bought retail, lots and lots of other chocolates in varied shapes and sizes, multi-colored and vari-sized marsmallows. Up on the second floor are the gift boxes, cake trays with covers, tins for cookies and grease-proof paper.

Before finally leaving the Castle, take a look at the pastry shop which has some very yummy-looking goodies. Resident chef Annie conducts classes and has DVDs for sale to those interested.

In another part of town, at The Fort, is Gourdo’s Specialty Food and Cookware store, where any culinary enthusiast would love to get lost…inspecting (and admiring) all the fine things they sell. This is a haven of pots and pans, seasonings and oil, cookbooks and tablecloth, dinnerware and coffee makers, chopping boards and wine diaries and more– all of which you might want for your own collection or as Christmas gifts. Among these are the Linea Trendy Biesse Casa (from Italy) set of chocolate/coffee cups and saucers; mountain hardwood chopping board (P1395) and cheese board (P595), the Mikasa Blue Set for 4 at P2295, Eva Trio(Denmark) casserole and sauce pan, Eva Solo Grill with all the accessories. The 3-layer non-stick Bellerini deep fryer is tagged at P1995.

They have a section for foodstuff including multi-flavored pasta in different shapes, such as chefs’ hats, wheels and farfelle; Tirreno Olive oil at P200 a bottle; Dunkee seasonings including Pepper Blend and Peppy Mustard (P245 for a bottle of 312 gms) and Asian marinades (Smokey Chipotle, Black Peppers, Tomato-garlic Pesto). Should one become hungry, there’s Gourdo’s restaurant through a connecting door from the store.

Universal Robina produces some of the most delicious biscuits to satiate hunger pangs between meals or during long drives. Magic Pleasures are thin crackers with French onions and chives, and the Cookie Jar’s Dewberry line has sandwich cookies with fruity flavors and cream filling.

Revisiting the Alabang Village Saturday market, we got real bargains on fresh herbs from our suki Pia–dill at P10, sage at P20. From our friend Evelyn who does the best baked ham, here’s a tip–change the taste of a ham sandwich by using arugula instead of the usual iceberg lettuce.

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