Makati closes off Paseo de Roxas for a culinary Block Party

Press release

Mouth-watering gastronomic delights, a kiddie fun fair, and great entertainment await everyone at the Makati Block Party, which promises to delight everyone on Sunday, July 3, 2016.

Capitalizing on the distinct Makati vibe and community spirit, the business district’s iconic avenues will be transformed into a culinary street party that will feature some of the most well-loved vendors of the famed Salcedo weekend market, a revered Makati tradition, and benchmark of all weekend markets around the country. Over the years, Salcedo Market has become the melting pot of Makati residents and guests who come over each weekend to relax and come together as a community.

The Makati Block Party recreates this community spirit, and takes it several notches higher with the partial road closure of Paseo de Roxas, a major city thoroughfare, for this culinary street experience.  For one afternoon, the city’s pedestrian-friendly streets will come alive with friendly banter and the street vibe that is distinctly, uniquely Makati’s. With the party happening footsteps away from famous Ayala Avenue landmarks, people can simply walk to take part in the community festivities.

The Makati Block Party promises something for everybody, from 4PM until 10PM, Paseo de Roxas, the stretch between Ayala Avenue to Makati Avenue adjacent to the Ayala Triangle Gardens, will be transformed into a gastronomic festival centered on Salcedo Market, with lots of exciting activities synonymous to Makati’s hip lifestyle. A curated selection of Salcedo Market vendors will be on hand for a culinary street extravaganza as they serve up their signature offerings that people from all over Metro Manila come for every weekend – baked goods, artisanal delights, hometown favorites, and the most luscious concoctions whipped up by homegrown chefs and foodies.

“We aim to create communal spaces where residents and friends can converge, so that we can bring the community closer together. Over the years, the Salcedo Market has served this purpose.  The Makati Block Party builds on this tradition and takes it to the streets, with the hope to get the Makati community to use the streets more for activities and things that they love to do,” said Shiella Aguilar, Project Development Manager of Makati.

Kids who tag along with their parents can look forward to fun-filled activities at Kids on the Block by Hunt & Gather. Let the kids discover their inner artist with art and crown-making sessions, or play to their heart’s content with interactive fun.

For those who are just lounging around, musical performances by Vince Lahorra’s Quartet and Johnoy Danao will keep everyone entertained throughout the evening.  As an added treat, Snoopy and The Lorax will be ready to meet and greet all the kids and young at heart.

Wellness buffs and strained souls can find some relaxation with free yoga sessions at the Ayala Triangle Gardens with a Vinyasa Music Night Class by Urban Ashram Manila.

The Makati Block Party once again showcases Makati as the go-to destination for the best food, entertainment and lifestyle offerings as it imprints a great community vibe. It also captures the city’s efforts to increase walkability in the area by providing activities that encourage people to actively use its streets.

“The Makati Block Party gives residents and visitors something fun and relaxing to do, right in their own community, on a weekend. It’s our way of bringing activities and treats that residents love and enjoy, just a few steps away from where they live. We want people to discover that there’s lots to do and enjoy just by walking and exploring the streets of the city,” said Aguilar.

Participating food vendors are Down to Earth, Uncle George Gourmet, Plaza Ilocandia, Sabor. Bun Appetit, Dela Rosa's Deli, La Cuisine, Real Girl Toy Kitchen, Connie's Kitchen, al halabi, Jiro's Lechon, Delicane, Authentic House of Curry, Mgourmet, Merry Moo, Johanna's House Of Lumpia, All best Organic Juices, Gostoso Piri Piri, THC, Don Churro, Michelle's homemade putong ube atbp.,Grace Pate, Rita's Kitchen, Bersi Gyros Shawarma, Tuna Town seafood place, Stanford Shaw Brew, Cheryl's Cuisine, Antipolo Delicacies, Bats Tilapia, MCV Trading, and Haici Food Services.

Kids On The Block activities by Hunt and Gather include Painting with Learning on the Gogh, Crown Making with Little Luli, Decoupage and Upcycling Activities with La Pomme Home, Free Play and Active Fun by Playworks ECC, and Science, Art and Music with Hedcen.

The Makati Block Party is supported by Alveo, Magnavision, Urban Ashram Manila, Hunt & Gather.

Admission to all Makati Block Party activities is FREE on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED basis. For more information about the city that makes it happen, visit www.makeitmakati.com or like and follow Make It Makati on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

A glimpse of Richie Cruz’ El Tindero drink

Press release

 The journey of the first Philippine representative in the Bacardi Legacy Global

 Cocktail Competition

Catching up with friends while enjoying a glass of your favorite cocktail has been the usual practice almost everywhere, it made each and every conversation a lot enjoyable. Knowing the story behind each cocktail drink might sound boring but to bartenders like Richie Cruz, the first Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition Philippine representative, it’s something that people should know.

“Creating a cocktail drink is not just about mixing different ingredients with alcohol, you will need to get the right amount of alcohol, spirits and flavor to get that unique taste that you want for your cocktail drink” said Cruz.

Since 2008, bartenders from different parts of the world are gathered together in one mixology competition called Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition (BLCC) – a global competition that challenge bartenders to build their own cocktail legacy by creating and promoting a new generation of refreshing and easily replicable rum cocktails that will endure to become the classics of the future.

The competition deemed as the Oscar’s for bartenders from across the globe. All champions were given the opportunity to a year-long support to further their careers by creating experiences tailored to meet their goals. Bacardi gave them opportunities to travel, work with the industry’s best of the best and serve their very own ‘Legacy’ cocktail at some of the finest bars around the world.

Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition

April 20-25,2016 – The Bacardi Legacy Cocktail competition was held in San Francisco, California. A total of 35 participants from different parts of the world competed head-to-head as they demonstrate their skills in creating unique tasting rum cocktail drinks. One of the participants is our very own kababayan, John Richelieu “Richie” Cruz, the 2015 Barcardi Legacy Cocktail Competition Champion from Café Enye in Quezon City.

The Starter

Richie Cruz, the man behind the cocktail coined “El Tindero” was a graduate of Hotel and Restaurant Administration in UP Diliman. After getting his degree, he worked as a bartender for different bars, hotels and cruise ships, where he developed his skills in mixology.

“Mixing and bartending has always been my passion, I always enjoy creating a different twists to every drink I create because for me, whenever you serve your drink to your customer, you also give yourself to that customer since you created that drink with love and passion” said Cruz.

Cruz also got a career in academe, he is currently a bar trainer in Holland America Line Training Center in Antipolo. Being passionate in his field, he organized different bartending competitions from 2000 to 2006.

“I believe that in our country, we lack playgrounds for bartenders who has love for the craft, we have lots of talented bartenders that are not being recognized because we have a very few competitions wherein they can showcase their talent in bartending or creating their own drink” adds Cruz.

The Legacy of El Tindero

From organizing different bartending competition, Richie took his passion to the next level. He tried joining the first BLCC here in the Philippines with his “El Tindero” drink – a cocktail drink composed of Coconut water, Muscovado, local beer, apple cider vinegar, Angostura aromatic bitters and Bacardi Carta Oro, Cruz and the his cocktail drink luckily got the spot in final round of Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition in the Philippines.

Cruz competed against Manila’s Top-notch bartenders with his signature drink “El Tindero”, in which he considered as the perfect drink to describe Filipinos.

“Every Filipino is like a Salesman or the ultimate Tindero, we are all passionate about our jobs, committed to every task, dedicated to our clients and most of all we value our families, that’s the reason we all sell ourselves to prove that we are good in our chosen field,” says Cruz

March 10, 2016 -- it was Richie’s shining moment, he was proclaimed as the first champion of the BLCC Philippines and he became the first representative of the country in the Global BLCC last April 2016.

Global Competition came and Cruz was very confident that he’s cocktail, El Tindero, has every potential to win. Unfortunately, it was GN Chan of Angel’s Share, New York, who got lucky this year. Chan’s drink, the “Venceremos” is a combination of Bacardi Carta Blanca, coconut liqueur, pineapple juice, cucumber juice, lime juice and a dash of sesame oil, Chan was also mentored by the 2012 Global BLCC Champion Shingo Gokan.

“Competing against 35 different bartenders with different nationalities made me value my craft more, it’s disappointing of course, but it didn’t discourage me to try again. My experience in BLCC made me stronger and more eager to win the global BLCC title next time I compete” concludes Cruz.

Cruz and his El Tindero may not be successful in owning the Global Bacardi Legacy title but he definitely made a legacy to the Philippine Bartending industry and to the Filipinos.

“The El tindero drink was very popular to everyone in the competition, it might not get the judges’ taste palette to win the award, we still think that it’s something that people will like to drink while having fun, we’re very happy to support Richie in his journey to perfecting his cocktail drink and also, looking forward to see him compete again.” Concludes Au Aguilar, Trade Marketing Manager of Bacardi Philippines.

Don't Drive Hungry. Get a Snickers

For the working class Pinoy, we spend most of our daily time in the workplace. Second to that is our homes and third in the roads or the vehicles. Because we are already overcrowded here in the Metro, we cannot avoid the slow, heavy traffic during rush hours.

Most stress are triggered when we lack something in our system. The slow, heavy traffic can drain us dry especially in this hot season. The slow traffic can leave us thirsty or even hungry. That is why Snickers drove a campaign, "Don't Drive Hungry."

Last April 23 at Capitol Commons, Snickers customized 400 temporary licensed plates written Don't Drive Hungry and it will be placed at the rear end. It is a good advice since it may help lessen tempers because people might get hungry along the way.

These are just one of the stressful conditions that we need to attend to. Because going through the slow, heavy traffic is like survival and you a chocolate bar can get rid of hunger for a longer duration of time. It can even do that for days.

Before driving, don't get hungry. Get Snickers. For more foodie posts, follow this blog and like

Cross-Cultural and Authentic Japanese Dining Experience at Sekitori

When I was invited to a food tasting at Sekitori, I was wondering where did I first heard it. Then I recall later that they have a branch in Little Tokyo, Makati. Sekitori is a title for a starting sumo wrestler.

The owner is Seto Masakazu. He used to be a sumo wrestler but he quit because he does not able to continue due to the pressures of the work. Instead, he succeeded in something else. He wanted to be a teacher but he end up operating a Japanese restaurant in the Philippines. Sekitori is located along Pasong Tamo since 2005.

For Seto-san, it was not an easy. It has a series of ups-and-downs before he settles down. You may compare his story to a known biographical TV series. Seto-San arranged that most of his ingredients are from the best of Japan has to offer. This is how authentic Japanese dining Sekitori is.

The difference in this new branch in Ortigas, Sekitori dishes is presented like art while in the original branch is presented like served in a typical Japanese home. The only ingredient that is local is the calamansi. Japan does not the same fruit that the Japanese also like.

Probably the most impressive dish to me was the Gokai Sashimi no Tairyou Funamori or Premium Sashimi displayed on a wooden boat bowl. What makes it impressive for me was the boat is designed as a Japanese fishing boat and was assort beautifully that not only the sense of taste is satisfied but also the sense of sight. The tuna used was the blue finned tuna that is brought fresh from Japan.

The artist and genius behind the Japanese dishes is Chef Kamimoto. For three decades, he already traveled around the world to introduce new dishes which is why he is called the Evangelist of Japanese Cuisine. Chef Kamimoto made these dishes I tasted exclusively for Sekitori in Ortigas only.  The Evangelist travels back and to Manila from Japan to ensure that most his dishes are served in his proper way. The Japanese are also meticulous about details. If you really wanted to be oriented with the proper way to eat Japanese dishes, Sekitori is the best cuisine to go to. Sekitori also serve the imported saki.

I will feature more of Sekitori dishes in my next posts, To get more updates on my Sekitori posts, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook. Sekitori's second branch is located in Jollibee bldg. along San Miguel avenue, Ortigas Center. If you see a giant Sumo wrestler behind the glass entrance is your landmark.

Holy Week Suggestions From GStuff

Press release

After your week-long Lenten retreat, hop in the Easter feast as you indulge with three guilt-free food from GStuff – Duck Eggs, Chewy Cashew Oatmeal Cookies, and Coco Natura Coco Jam. The perfect trio for your Lenten Season.        

Deck Your Easter with Duck Eggs! 

Usher your morning with an appetizing and filling breakfast this Easter! Serve yourself and your loved ones with delicious, healthy duck egg dishes.

Fresh from our farm, our duck eggs have more healthy benefits --- six times the Vitamin D and 2 times the Vitamin A compared to the usual chicken eggs. Also, our duck eggs have more Omega 3 fatty acids that further boost the brain cells and can improve a person’s skin complexion.

Cashew Oatmeal Cookies

Indulgently Chewy and carefully baked in pugon for their big and fragile flatness and circular shape to remain perfect, our Cashew Oatmeal Cookies are big! Making each a filling treat without the artificial flavours, no white sugar and no white flour! They only have organic Coco flour, cashew nuts, Himalayan untreated salt, butter and duck eggs as main ingredients. Very tasty and a perfect treat for camping, trekking, picnic and swimming!

Coco Natura Coco Jam

Devoid of artificial flavours, has no preservatives and additives and with low glycemic (low blood sugar), this is a spread to consider this Lent. In lieu of white rice and meat, this Coco Jam can be glazed on your breads and pastries. You can also just spoon it to enjoy without worrying about added weight you dread because it has only the real coco syrup and the fresh coconut milk

Enjoy this healthy trio, Duck Eggs, Oatmeal Cookies and Coco Natura Coco Jam, and satisfy your cravings for real food goodness this coming Easter!

G Stuff Healthy Store at Alabang Town Center, Rockwell Poweplant Mall and Trinoma has all your needs for a healthy Lent. Visit our website at www.gstuff.ph, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gstuffph and Instagram at @gstuffph.  Call 09175864530, 5005623, 5005587, 5005604, 4161828 for your orders.

Bacardi will send a Pinoy Bartender to U.S. for Bacardi Legacy

Speaking for myself. If ever I will leave this world, I will leave a legacy which is why I created a blog. In the case of Bacardi, cocktail drinks were already created as part of it's legacy. For the first time, the Philippines will send a bartender to U.S. to give a shot making a drink worthy of Bacardi Legacy.

5 selected bartenders from different bar establishments from all over the country will compete to give their shot for the Bacardi Legacy. Although there are already Filipinos competing for Bacardi Legacy, it is going to be the first time the Philippines will send their first competitor. The previous Filipinos represented a foreign country where they worked.

Held at Buddha Bar in Makati, 5 bartenders demonstrated and narrated their passion for making their own Bacardi Legacy drink. In random order, the five drinks presented are:

EL TINDERO by Richie Cruz of Café Enye Bar Eastwood

45ml Bacardi Gold

25ml Coconut Juice/Water

25ml Lager Beer

10ml Muscovado Syrup (2parts Muscovado and 1 part Water

4 Dash of Apple Cider Vinegar

Dessicated Coconut with Muscovado Sugar (toasted)

LITTLE MAN by Mark Alvin Tolentino of Revel ay The Palace Fort

60ml Bacardi Superior

3 Slices Green Apple

4 pcs Fresh Basil

30ml Fresh Lime Juice

2 bar spoon refines White sugar

30ml Soda Water

KALIKASAN by Mark Jerrold Bernandino of Scarlet Fort

30ml Bacardi Superior

15ml Triple Sec

15ml Pandan Syrup

30ml Lemon Green Tea

15ml Fresh Lime Juice

Top with Sprite

ISLAND SOUVENIR by Marnell Masallo of Skye Lounge Fort

60ml Bacardi Superior

10gms Fresh Ginger

10gms Fresh Lemon Grass

10gms Fresh Cucumber

10ml Honey

10ml Lime Juice

BEQUEST by Joey Cerdinia of The Exit Bar Makati

1.5 oz. Bacardi Superior

.75 oz. Fresh Lime Juice

.50 oz. Aperol

.50 oz. Home made elderflower Liqueur ( 1 part St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur and 1 part Sugar Syrup)

Lime Spiral for Garnish

Among the five mixologists, Richie Cruz was triumphant with his El Tindero Mix. Mr. Cruz will go to San Francisco on April 24 for the Global Final. For more updates, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Monde Nissin to bring global meat alternatives leader, Quorn, to PH

Press release

Manila, Philippines—Quorn, the world-leader in meat alternatives, is now turning to Asia as its newest domain. Fresh from a USD 831-million takeover by Monde Nissin Corporation, Quorn is easing its way into the region and banking on the network of the Philippine-based food company.

 

Chef Florabel’s Meat-less Beef Wonton with Quorn Mince, Bruschetta with Quorn Chorizo, Pigs in a Blanket using Quorn Nureburg Sausage, Beef & Corn Tartlet using Quorn Mince

To date, 80% of the meat alternatives market is concentrated in Europe and North America, while approximately 12 to 15% is in Asia. A report by Allied Market Research predicts that the industry can reach a value of 5.2-billion USD by 2020, with a forecasted compounded annual growth rate of 8.4 percent. The same report mentions Asia-Pacific as the faster growing market.

“Such is the case because most players prioritized the U.S. and U.K. markets early in the game, but the global trend towards better health, complemented by Asia’s economic growth and increasing domestic consumption means we have an opportunity to grow the business significantly,” said Kevin Brennan, Chief Executive Officer of Quorn at the sidelines of the Great British Festival, Bonifacio Global City.

He added, “There are a lot of meat alternatives whether from soy, wheat or mycoprotein, but combined, these account for only a fraction of the red meat market. Going to Asia means having the opportunity to create awareness about this new category and its benefits, as well as ensuring availability of high-quality products on shelves. With Monde Nissin, we are now in a better position to do that.”

Emerging Global Food Company

Monde Nissin Corporation completed the acquisition of the British company in the fourth quarter of 2015. It counted as one of the largest acquisitions by a Southeast Asian firm —a move that coincided with Monde Nissin’s thrust to further diversify its portfolio and become a global food company.

In the last 18 months, the company acquired three other entities with category leadership in their respective industries, namely: Black Swan, Nudie, and Menora Foods, all based in Australia.

Monde Nissin is the company behind the iconic, market-leading brand, Lucky Me!, which penetrates close to 100% of Filipino households. Among its other products are Monde Special Mamon, Bingo Cookie Sandwich, and Nissin Wafer.

The product

Quorn is a deliciously healthy meat alternative with a full range of great tasting products from ingredients that allow you to cook from scratch, to ready-to-eat/ready to cook options. All Quorn products are vegetarian and it also has a gluten-free and vegan range. Its main ingredient is mycoprotein—a naturally healthy protein that is high in fiber, has 85% less saturated fat than lean beef, and has zero cholesterol.

Quorn is the world leader in meat alternatives, with over three billion servings made over the last 30 years. For more information, visit www.Quorn.com or like https://www.facebook.com/QuornPH/.