Soiree Beaujolis 2014

CEBU, Philippines – Christmas Day is just a week away. Christians celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. And non-Christians join in the merriment - which is just the thing to do considering the material gifts that come aplenty with the season. Splurging with the easy availability of cash is common. Just imagine the amount of money in circulation during this period; there's the 13th month salary plus the cash gifts or bonus received by most employees.

A reminder that Christmas is fast approaching was the Soirée Beaujolais 2014, an affair held every third Thursday of November. Organized by the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (FCC-Le Club) at the Grand Ballroom of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, the evening party - or soirée - was held to highlight the market launch of Beaujolais Nouveau, a red wine made from Gamay grapes produced in the Beaujolais region of France. Wine growers rushed to ferment their harvest to satisfy their thirst and, later, residents in Paris joined and the entire world followed.

The Soirée Beaujolais is considered to be the "high point of France-Philippine social life" and Francophiles join to enjoy the lovely party, French style. It is also an opportunity to showcase the opulence of French culture especially on matters of food and wine, which your favorite food writer likes best.

I saw the Assorted Cold Cuts (Lyoner Sausages, Mortadella, Tirouer) in one corner and the salads, the Salad Nicoise (tuna, haricots, potato and quail egg) and Seafood Salad in Crab Shell and decided to taste the latter. Soup was the classic Bouillabaisse Provencal Fish Soup with rouille - olive oil, bread crumbs, saffron and garlic to garnish the soup. It was so tasty that I had a second cup.

Main dishes were the following: Moules a la Marene (mussels in white wine, garlic, shallots, cream), Blanquette de Bouef (white beef stew with cream and mushroom), Ratatouille, Quiche Lorraine, Gratin de pommes à la Dauphinoise, and the Poulet Chasseur (Chicken Hunter Style with tomato, silver skin onions and bacon).

Memories of the best tasting French dishes in previous Soirée Beaujolais events are recalled when I see these beautiful spread of French gastronomy. It was Coq au vin in 2008, Boeuf à la Bourguignonne in 2010, Bouillabaisse in 2011, Couscous de Mouton (lamb) in 2012, Taniguigeu grille aI'armoricane in 2013. And this year, the best was the Entrecôte (Roast U.S. Prime Rib Eye).

The Cheese Corner, run by Cheese Master Richard Poirier, was a crowd favorite with guests eager to taste the select cheeses flown in all the way from France. I took a small slice of each cheese: Roquefort Papillon, Fourme d' Ambert, Abondance, Le Munster du Grand'Pere Fischer, Saint-Nectaire Fermier, Brie de Meaux, FromageFermier Du pays Basque, Sainte-Maure de Touraine, Ferme du Chateau Courbet Mariolles and my favorite, the Délice de Bourgogne, which was creamy, very rich and tasty. I went back for more slices of the Délice cheese, excuse me, again and again.

Desserts were the following: La Tartelette Feuilletee Aux Pommes (Apple Tart with Nut & Golden Raisins), Le Millefeuille, Opera Cake, Tarte au Citron (Lemon Tart), Paris Brest and Croque en Bouche.

Advance Merry Christmas to everyone!