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/.

Cupcakes by Lea Lambino

It seems that cupcakes is now an in-thing. I found this out during the two consecutive years of covering Goldilocks Cake Expo. I ordered half-dozen cup cakes from an online friend, Lea. She offered me choices of flavors to top the cupcakes.

My choice was mint because it is the first time. For Approximately, 300 per half-dozen, it was quite alright. But what she didn't made clear was that it was also topped with peanuts which is I am allergic to. So make sure that you mention if you want peanuts or not.

For ordering, make sure that you finalize the date because she mix ups the days and the exact dates and she only does meet ups in the Cubao area. She only does this seldom if she is not busy with modeling gigs. But the good thing about this, you get to have a photo with her.

For more foodie adventures, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook. For your cupcake orders, you may message her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/OfficialLeaLambino/

AQUABEST OPENS SOUP KITCHEN

Press release

Aquabest the country's premier water station franchise is reaching out to its local community by opening a soup kitchen for indigent people.

Every Friday afternoon the company operates a soup kitchen dispensing hot meals to the poor at its head office along Quezon Avenue. Since it started operating this February, the soup kitchen regularly serves dozens of underprivileged people. 

The soup kitchen is part of the company's efforts to give back to society and is a reflection of the Christian values that underpin the company's operations. "As a company we have to strive to make a positive influence in our community. And our efforts here however small can help our underprivileged brethren that other people still care about them" says Carson Tan the company's President and CEO.

Worry no more about those post-Christmas pounds

Press release

Jump-start your post-holiday health regimen with the Philips Power Juicer

With the abundance of delicious food last Christmas and New Year’s Eve, it’s not surprising that most have gained a few pounds over the holidays. There’s nothing wrong with taking a well-deserved break from diets and weight-loss goals to enjoy the season, but now it’s over, it’s time to go back to healthy living.

An easy yet delicious way of returning to a healthy regimen is juice cleansing. By consuming fresh fruit and vegetable juice as part of a diet program, the body is able to get rid of built-up toxins from unhealthy food and habits. It also helps the body absorb the nutrients it needs to jump-start metabolism for weight loss.

Make juicing so much easier by using a power juicer that can provide you with everything you need and more. As a leader in health and wellness, Philips, a leader in health and well being,  has come up with the Viva Collection Juicer—the perfect appliance for both beginners and long-time juice enthusiasts.

Thanks to its 700 W motor, fruits are effectively blended, mixed, and crushed, creating up to two liters of juice in one go. Its 75 mm extra-large feeding tube allows you to juice larger fruit and vegetables such as apples, carrots, and beetroots without pre-cutting. Every use results in the maximum amount of juice with minimum fuss.

The Philips Juicer is as easy to clean as it is easy to use. Regular juicers often make cleanup very difficult since a lot of pulp fibers get stuck in the sieve. With the Philips Juicer’s QuickClean technology, the entire surface of the sieve is smooth, allowing for the quick removal of fibers with only a standard kitchen sponge. Pulp collection is also convenient since everything goes to the pulp container; you don’t have to remove pulp in other parts of the appliance.

“We at Philips believe in the power of home-made food and how it can change the lives of consumers. That’s why we continue to create products that make it easier to prepare delicious and healthy food,” says Reah Ronsayro, Business Development Manager for kitchen appliances. “The Philips Viva Collection Juicer is perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy the benefits of juicing, especially after the holidays. The Juicer ensures that consumers get delicious juice with every single use, making it the perfect gift for any health buff out there.”

Available at leading retail stores. To learn more about Philips products, log on to www.philips.com.ph or check the Philips Home Living Philippines facebook fan page.

Always remember this commandment. THOU SHALL NOT WEIGH MORE THAN THY REFRIGERATOR.

Holiday Selections from Tinapayan Festival

I usually eat meals with rice but when it comes to breakfast and merienda(snack time), I eat bread. Bread is easier to eat and you don't need utensils required. In the Philippines, we have lots of neighborhood bakeries and some of them are as old as the previous generation.

I don't mind if there are commercial branding in the bread business but it is also good for small neighborhood bakeries to hit big in the market. One example is Tinapayan Festival. It already has shops in Market! Market! and Fisher Mall but it all came from the flagship store in Dapitan Manila where all these breads were made.

Crema De Fruta

Tinapayan Festival is already in the bread business for 30 years now and I am glad I will find out why got them this long by tasting their products at main store in Dapitan. Here are the selections ideal for the holidays. The Crema De Fruta is ideal for the Christmas eve because it is not only delicious but how it look like as if it was baked for this occasion.

Cheese Dinner Roll

The next one I tried was Cheese Dinner Roll. It may look like an oversize Ensaymada but it is more than that but I think it can be ideal for other occasions. The Almond Cheese Cake is not what I expected. Just like the Cheese Dinner Roll, it also appears as if nothing is special until you taste it. You can taste how is is full of flavor.

Almond Cheese Cake

I also tried the cream puffs which is one of the best I've had as well as the special ensaymada and for non-sweet breads like the meat rolls didn't got me disappointed. But we got the best for last was the Holiday Bread. It may look like a rounded crema but it is like a fruitcake minus the wine and I find it better than the fruitcake.

Holiday Bread

The breads of Tinapayan is baked fresh but also delivered in their other stores. But rest assured, it is just the right amount for it to be sold within the day so it will remain fresh after selling it.For more food tripping, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Ma-lechong Pasko from Binalot!

Celebrate your Christmas with a good PINOY meal and get that chance to win a Ping Ping's Lechon for the holidays. Get a raffle coupon for every purchase of any Pancit or Ulam sa BILAO of BINALOT from November 5 to December 15, and you might be lucky enough to win a mouth-watering Lechon. So, keep on getting BINALOT by the BILAO and get more chances to win a Lechon in this once a year treat!

Log on to www.binalot.com for promo details.

Taco Bell expands in the South

For many years in operation, Taco Bell in the Philippines have been situated in the North. I am also a Taco Bell patron because it's the only fast food that serves tacos and whenever I am having lunch in Cubao or in North EDSA, that's where I usually go.

After four outlets(including inside the Big Dome), Taco Bell opens it's newest branch in Alabang Festival Mall. The opening was celebrated with a series of indoor extreme games like the inflatable rock climbing challenge, a mechanical surfing simulation. Tried it but fail.

There also has a taco eating contest which is fun to look at because the hard taco is not easy to eat. Taco Bell's expansion in the South is just the beginning but we can be assured that there's a possibility of another branch somewhere here in the South.

One thing I also like about Taco Bell is their ongoing support for World Food Program, a humanitarian feeding program because Taco Bell's policy is Live Mas(Much). For more foodie adventures, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.