Chefs’ Quarter goes Catering

Chefs’ Quarter Group of Restaurants, a distinct name when it comes to quality fine dining continental cuisine have added another way of serving dishes to its loyal dinners. Early this year, the dynamic food duo, Larry Cortez and Chef Mauro Arjona Jr. , owners of Chef’s Quarter Group of Restos have expanded their catering services from local Pinoy favorites and Asian fare to American and European delis.

 One of the rare occasions where we can see these two together...

An inaugural event was launch last July 5, 2012 to formally introduced to its partners and guests the Chef’s Quarter Catering Service. It was held at the Events Pavilion, 3rd floor 500 Shaw Centrum Building, along Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

Dubbed as Chefs’ Quarter Grand Food Tasting, this event featured some of the most talked-about menus Chefs’ Quarter have been serving for years. For starters, waiter served some pica-pica like the famous Pannizza with assorted toppings, Assorted Canapes with Liver Pate, Tomato and Salmon. After which, appetizers followed with Fresh Marinated Salmon Carpaccio, Mesclun Salad with roasted mushroom, escargot and calamares in balsamic variation dressing and of course Cesar Salad.

As the guests enjoyed the good food, managing partners Larry Cortez and Mauro Arjona shared to us their humble beginnings many years ago at Le Sufflet then, on how Chefs’ Quarter came to be and how it has grown into a major food industry’s restaurant empire.

As the evening progresses with live band entertainment, the buffet table was opened. The buffet table featured US Beef Short Plate with Pinoy Steak Sauce on the carving station, The main course was lead by Chicken Roulade with Peppercorn Sauce, Roasted Pork loin in Champaign Sauce, Cream Dory Meuniere in Lemon-Butter and Caper Sauce, Baked Lasagna Verde, Saforn Rice Pilaf and Grantinated Potato and leeks.

At the end of the buffet table was an array of Chefs’ Quarter’s signature disserts like, the Mango Brazo, Assorted French Pastries, a selection of Pana cotta with Mango, Ube and Strawberry. All of the dishes that was featured are just some of Chefs’ Quarter’s wide selections menus serve in all of the their restaurants and now can be enjoyed by clients in a catered service approach.

Standard packages for buffet can go as low as P550+ and can go up to P1,800+, while sit down meals range from P750+ to P2,000+. Chefs; Quarter Catering can be arranged in the most simplest presentations or it can be as elaborate and very elegant, depending on the client’s preference and budget. 

ClawDaddy brings another creative menu of seafood in a bag

ClawDaddy, known to be the hottest hub when it comes to any food that are best eaten with you bare “claws”, is adding up another delectable way of devouring their all time favorite seafoods and you can get them in the most simplest presentation – in a plastic bag.

It is called ClawDaddy’s Boiled in a Bag. It is a mixture of every seafoods that you enjoy at ClawDaddy like the shrimps, prawns, crabs, clams and they even throw in some Corn on a cob with Andouille sausages. The bag is seasoned with ClawDaddy’ signature recipe that will make you dig in for more with your claws.

At ClawDaddy, eating can be fun and you don’t have to worry on the mess because each dinner is provided with food-bib and every table is equipped with built in buckets that will let you just throw in all the shells and scraps. They also provide hot clean towels to finish off all the remnants that are left on your mouth and hands.

ClawDaddy Boiling Bag comes in five mouthwatering seafood mixes. SHRIMP BOIL IN A BAG which consists of Baby Shrimps and prawns, Andouille Sausage, Corn and potatoes. One bag can be enjoyed by two to three people and is priced at a very affordable P995. 

 The SHELLFISH BOILING BAG, pegged also at P995, is composed of South Pacific Clams, Giant white mussles, Manila Clams, Green mussels, Audouille Sausage with potatoes and corn. All bags are available in two flavors, Mild and Spicy. 

The MARYLAND CRAB BOILING BAG is for the crab fanatics and can eat crabs for the rest of their lives. It consists of huge fresh water crabs as big as a man’s face, Audouille sausage with side dishes of Potatoes and corn. Pegged at P1,495.

LOUISIANA CRABS AND SHRIMPS BOILING BAG is a combination of Fresh water crabs and prawns. Priced at P1,495, this delectable dish will satisfy two to three persons. It also comes with Andoulille sausage, potatoes and corn.

For those who crave for the best of everything, the SEAFOOD BOIL IN A BAG captures the right mix. It is a combination of all shellfish, crabs, shrimps and clams. This bag is priced at P1,495. All boiling bags are cooked with special seafood boil spices, garlic butter, creole Cajun with special flavors and spices only ClawDaddy can give.

Seafood dinners can claw-in to their four branches located at Bonifacio High Streets, BGC, Shangrila Plaza Mall, SM Mall of Asia and Nuvali Sta. Rosa, Laguna. Soon to open is the ClawDaddy Great American Picnic Subic, Harbor Point Subic Bay Free Port Zone. 

CONSCIOUSBMAP HOLDS INDUSTRY-WIDE BANK (FUN) RUN FOR SAVINGS NESS

 PRESS RELEASE

The Bank Marketing Association of the Philippines (BMAP) is staging the first-ever fun run for bankers on July 22 at the Filinvest City in Alaban. Dubbed as “The Great Bank Fun Run,” the race event is expected to bring together more than 2,000 runners from the banking community and will also be open to regular running enthusiasts to promote the habit of saving among Filipino adults and children. 

The run will have 3k, 5k and 10k distance races with PhP500.00 flat registration fee. Proceeds of the race event will fund the various programs and initiatives of BMAP such as the Banking On Your Future-Kiddie Account Program in partnership with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, as well as the review of the Banking Code, the BMAP National Convention and other advocacies for the year. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. will lead the gun start and the awarding ceremonies. A special commemorative item will be given to race finishers, as well as exciting prizes will be raffled off such as plane tickets, gift certificates and other freebies and giveaways from sponsors. 

At the finish line, runners will be given commemorative coins as tokens for finishing the race. But wait, there’s more…

Runners and guests are encouraged to stick around for the program because organizers have prepared raffle prizes. Up for grabs are Philippine Air line tickets, Hotel Vouchers, watches, appliances and much more. 

Registrations for the BMAP Run are still open in the following sites: Toby’s branches in Alabang, SM Mall of Asia, Glorietta Mall and Shangrila Mall. You can also get them in Runnr’s store located in Trinoma and Bonifacio High Streets.

Karate Kid kicks in another branch in Cubao

KARATE KID, a very popular Japanese-American which is now winning the hearts of many Filipino food-cravers just added another branch in Farmers, Cubao. Karate-Kid is a quick service restaurant that fuses authentic Japanese cuisine with some All-American dishes in a fast-food style that is quick and easy.

Last July 4, 2012, members of the media and guests were gathered to grace the grand opening of its latest branch in Farmers, Cubao. Farmers plaza, a notable landmark in the heart of Cubao area is the main access route for commuters coming from stations going to Marikina and to the rest of Metro Manila.

The combination of two food-cultures east and west appeals to the constant food preference of the everyday consumers. Karate Kid’s EVP Raymond Yap shares to the media how the restaurant able to cater to dinners discerning taste by offering good quality meals that are freshly-cooked and very affordable to the everyday Filipino commuters. Since pinoys are rice eaters, it also offers rice-all-you-can and bottomless Kido Punch Tea, which is Karate Kid’s signature drink.

Now, Japanese dinners can get authentic Japanese food a lot faster on the table without too much waiting. They offer the usual Japanese fave like, katsudon, ramen, California Maki, Tuna sashimi, Tepanyaki in chicken, beef and seafood variants, takoyaki, gyoza and ebi tempura. You can get them all fresh and hot.

For those who are quite familiar with the dishes of Karate Kid, you can always enjoy their culinary creations the mixes Japanese exotic ingredients and some American elements. The Japanese pasta is of course an all-time favorite; with its oriental makeover of meat sauce spaghetti in combination with mouthwatering Japanese beef patty. The creamy white sauce on the other hand is also underwent a innovative transformation by putting Japanese cream chicken pasta.

For the budget wise dinners, the 99er meals are also Karate Kid’s blockbuster dishes. This also comes with refillable rice. A meal that is truly value-for-money treat. 

After visiting Karate Kid Farmers Plaza, you can also visit their other branches in 22 malls all over the Philippines. And Also, please do watch the opening of another two new branches in Chinatown Plaza in Binondo and one in Bulacan State University. 

Note: First photo courtesy of Juan Manila Express

Race Review: World Vision Run for a cause 2012

In the last 10 years, one phenomenon that has developed in the lives of many Filipinos and subsequently contributed significant revenues to many industries today is running. When it started, many thought that it was just a phase that will soon die down but, apparently, it has become a fast-growing fitness urban culture. Companies with their brands, organizations and even NGOs have jumped into the bandwagon in utilizing running events as part of their campaigns -- may it be for brand awareness or fundraising -- and it has been very effective. Many running organizers even made it a yearly or a seasonal event which eventually gave them many loyal followers.

Last June 24, 2012, World Vision, a familiar NGO name noted for its flagship program, Child Sponsorship, did its first take on its own running event dubbed as World Vision Run for a Cause 2012. It was held at the Bonifacio Global City running circuit which was participated by more than 3,700 runners from different parts of the metro with some even coming all the way from Pangasinan.

Even before I embraced running as part of my personal lifestyle, I have always supported the programs of World Vision. I even had the opportunity to share part of my blessings by sponsoring Marvin Mandawe, a boy from Palawan for 10 years. However, my sponsored child has already reached the maximum period of sponsorship which is 18 years old and he is no longer part of the program. But through the correspondence I received from him via World Vision, it is very reassuring to know that his life and his family’s are far better now because of the help they received from child sponsors of World Vision like me. My help for Marvin may be over but through the World Vision Run, I was still able to help other poor kids like him because the proceeds of the run will go to 8,000 kids more who cannot go to school because of poverty.

One part of World Vision’s advocacy in helping poor kids is to promote and make child sponsorship a part of a family tradition where each member can have a share in helping. That’s why the run was categorized by four running distances in order to cover the running abilities of each member of the family. The 500 meter dash was for the small kids, 3k and 5k are for the beginners, moms, and older siblings and the 10k are for Dads. There was also a category of 21k for the competitive and seasoned runners.

World Vision run is kind of special for me because for the first time, I got to bring along my son Gabriel and he ran his very first 5k race. As for me, I registered in the 21k distance and it was my 4th 21k run on barefoot. With tons of work I had the week before, I was not able to get some decent running prep for the run, but I was excited just the same because I got to run with some of my friends and former colleagues in World Vision.

The gun start for the 21k was at 5:30 and it was a bit late. A few meters from the starting line was a bus blocking a portion of the road that made the runners crowd up. I have run 21k in BGC before and somehow, I was already familiar with most of the turns in the course. As always, the Kalayaan bridge was part of the obstacle for me, but at least I know much better on how to manage my strength in crossing to Gil Puyat Avenue. I maintained an easy pace in the first 10k and I had the opportunity to talk to some of my running friends. I even had the chance to run with Aga the blind barefoot runner as he was being guided by another fellow barefoot runner and World Vision advocate Gerrard Pizarras. Upon seeing Aga, I was humbled down and at the same time encouraged by his dedication. Many runners were amazed with his talent because even in the absence of eyesight, he was not deterred in living his passion for running.

Finally, the U-turn was on sight and I was half way through but I knew crossing the Kalayaan Bridge for the second time can be a challenge. Surprisingly, I made it through without the usual pains. This showed that my two years of barefoot running is slowly paying off. After passing by NET One going towards Serendra, I noticed that this is taking a bit too long or maybe it was just the fatigue I’m experiencing. But later on, a running buddy of mine confirmed that the 21k was a few kilometers longer. It registered in his GPS Watch as 24.6k. So, that explained it.

After crossing the finish line, my gun-time was 2hrs. 6min. which is normal for my usual 21k distance. Nonetheless, I still managed to finish it with no injuries ... or so I thought, because as soon as I got my loot bag, I felt a little dizzy with blurring of vision. So my son guided me to the medic station and made a quick BP check and the shock came not just to me but also to the medic staff when we found out that it was 60/20. Super low blood! The medic team quickly made lie down on a stretcher and gave me a dose of oxygen. After 5 minutes on “emergency” mode, I underwent another BP check and it was back to normal 110/20. I felt ok right after, but that scenario gave my son a short cardiac-moment. After the program ended, a blogger-runner friend invited us over for a nice cool down session in his mom’s posh condo’s swimming pool at Forbes Heights.

Tous Les Jours: A French inspired Korean Bake shop

TOUS LES JOURS, a very popular bakery brand in Korea is now gaining popularity in the Philippines as well. With already two established branches in SM malls, Tous les Jours has open another branch in the south right in the Alabang Town Center.

With their grand opening, Tous les Jours has invited several people from the media and food and pastry enthusiasts to have a food tasting treat with some of their best tasting bread and cakes only Tous Les Jours can offer.

Tous Les Jours is actually means “everyday” in French, and as a core philosophy, the bread company is committed to provide the costumers with the best quality and the most fresh products “Everyday”. Though it started in Korea, this French-inspired bread company has a patent brand in various countries such as US, China, Vietnam and now in the Philippines.

In every branch of Tous Les Jours, a bread enthusiast is guaranteed to have a nature-friendly home-made breads and cakes in the best quality. All of their products are made from the high quality ingredients which are healthy, delicious and original. The breads and cakes are made in brick-oven fired by wood which are authentically home made.

Among their best sellers, are the Sweet Black Rice Bread with cream cheese filling. The texture of this bread resembles Monchi Bread with cream filling. Another sought after product is the Sweet Red Bean Bun with Red Bean filling which are imported from Korea.

For those who settle for just a light snack, the Apple Pie (singles) is one fantastic treat. The outer crusts are soft and flaky in texture and are filled with great tasting apple jam also imported from Korea.

If there is one forte Tous Les Jours is proud of, are cakes. They have a wide variety of cakes that will surely make one diet conscious individual will give-in for one more slice. Among the favorites are the carrot cake, chocolate cake and green tea mousse cake. These cakes are very distinct in taste and very special. 

Tous Les Jours is the first franchise bakery created and developed by CJ FoodVille Co. Ltd.

Black Canyon Coffee: More than just a coffee shop

With over 200 branches in Thailand alone, Black Canyon Coffee is finally here in the Philippines all set to spice up the Filipinos with best tasting coffee and award winning Thai Cuisine.

Last week, Black Canyon Coffee, a popular coffee hub in Thailand launches their first branch in the Philippines at SM South Mall Las Pinas City. Together with members of the media, I was invited to see and taste first-hand of their much famous iced-coffee. At first, I thought that this coffee shop will be just one of the many coffee shops that sprouts in almost every corner of Metro Manila. Apparently, I was surprised to see that Black Canyon Coffee is really a full Thai restaurant.

As a blogger, I also get a lot of invites to food tasting events and I get to taste a lot of Thai foods every now and then. I was delighted to experience the Thai dishes that Black Canyon serves and have earned its respect with numerous citations and awards not just in Thailand but also internationally.

Of course, you don’t get award winning foods without the people who cook them. That is why Black Canyon holds several award winning cooks and barista as well. Mr. Pravit Chitnarapong, CEO of Black Canyon Coffee also shared to the media that the restaurant was also awarded 2010 Best Franchise of the Year and also holds four years of Super Brands awards. The Cook himself who came all the way from Thailand is the 2011 TOM KAH Champion.

Mr. and Mrs. James and Wilma Dy are the proud franchisee of Black Canyon Coffee here in the Philippines. According to them, the branch in SM South Mall is only the first of many branches that they will put up. Soon this year another Black Canyon Coffee branch will open at SM Mega Mall and SM Mall of Asia.

This restaurant is truly a unique concept and quite different from other coffee shops and Thai restaurants I have visited. The coffee and Tea that they served are truly promising and the Thai foods are certainly delicious. My personal favorite is the Pad Thai and the Tom Yum which subsequently hold award winning badges as well.

Athletes In Action: Run for School Kids of Iligan

Typhoon Sendong brought the people of Iligan and Cagayan De Oro in a devastative state. But after a year, little by little, the people of these two cities with the help from civic group volunteers, the LGU and NGOs are slowly regaining its footing towards rehabilitation and development. However, although many already have re-established their lives, many are still in difficult situation more specifically the poor elementary students in Iligan city where until now; attend classes in outdoors and make-shift class rooms.

Athletes in Action – AIA, is a worldwide organization of over 650 staff members and 7,500 volunteers in 94 countries including the Philippines. It is an organization of athletes and coaches in the professional, amateur and collegiate leagues that take active steps to make positive change in the lives of poor people through sports. AIA International members include the likes of Tim Tebow, Chris Paul, Kevin Durant, David Robinson, our very own Chris Tiu and other renowned sportsmen.

Dubbed as “Schools Run for School Rooms”, AIA is taking advantage of the running culture , which has been phenomenally gaining popularity in the lives of people around the metro and in some parts of the country. This fun run is the organization’s initiative to raise not only funds but also awareness among runners and students regarding the difficult situations of poor children most especially the school rooms in Iligan that was destroyed by typhoon Sendong last December 2011.

SRSR will be held at one of Metro Manila’s renowned running circuits, the Bonifacio Global City on July 7, 2012. Students form colleges and Universities here and around the metro and running enthusiasts can participate in 3k, 5k and 10k race categories. AIA is also partnering with local civic organizations such as GMA Kapuso foundation and iCare Foundation.

SRSR is co-presented by FILA. Corporate sponsors include, Sony, Gardenia, Chrifer, Oracare, Pocari Sweat, Treelizer, and Airconsrve. Its media partners include GMA Network, Business World and Philippine Daily Inquirer. Interested runners may register at any FILA store in Metro Manila.

SRSR is organized by events management Specialists Huper International. For more details: Tel. 661-6049, or email athletesinaction@huperinternational.com

Live Band @ UNCLE CHEFFY - Ortigas

Uncle Cheffy - Ortigas, the restaurant where you can get the best tasting Panizza, Memphis BBQ spare ribs and Pork Belly Lechon is now adding up a new center piece in their menu to spice up your dinning experience and that is a Live band entertainment. Experience good music while enjoying the best dishes only at Uncle Cheffy.  

PRESS RELEASE 

Celebrate the end of the work week at Uncle Cheffy - Ortigas Center!

Every Friday, this particular branch of the fast-growing chain pulls out its jammin’ gear and ushers in the talented trio, Tronix. Starting at 8:00pm, the group’s vocalists croon crowd favourites and welcome aspiring singers to join in.

While enjoying the show, the audience can feast on Uncle Cheffy’s famous Panizza. Other top picks, especially by big barkadas are the Memphis Barbeque US Beef Rib Fingers and Garlic Studded Pork Belly Lechon.

The restaurant also has a special promo for those who would like some fizz to go with their food. Every order of a bucket of five bottles of San Mig Light comes with a choice of pulutan, absolutely free! Options include French Fries, Dynamite, Calamares, Onion Rings and Sisig. 

Uncle Cheffy – Ortigas Center is located at the 2/F of Wynsum Corporate Plaza, Ruby Road, Pasig City. For inquiries and reservations, you may call 02-6966958.

WWF Reverse Run 2012

With the growing popularity of running in the country today, runners can’t seem to run out of ideas to make fun run more creative. On top of the conventional running, I already participated running on trails, vertical running, running in the mountains, running with the zombies and of course barefoot running, but never would I’ve thought I would run in reverse. Surprisingly, this type of running is already gaining popularity in some part of the world, most often use in cross training and quads and hamstrings strengthening. Reverse running is proven to give a more intense leg workout and can burn more calories than running forward.

WWF, a non-government international agency whose aim is to take care of the environment is finally making a Philippine debut of reverse run. It will be the first in the Philippines or perhaps even in the region; the reverse run will symbolize an advocacy movement that will rally students to volunteer to reverse the effect of climate change and all the bad stuff that man did to the environment.

On July 22, 2012, WWF-Philippines will hold the first reverse run at the SM Mall of Asia with race categories of 3k, 6k and 12k distances. It will entail participants to run in reverse as a symbolic way of joining WWF’s mission to stop and eventually reverse the degradation of nature. Participants will backpedal through the course for 200 meters and will then run forward to cover the rest of the distance.

The reverse run is just the first salvo of many things to come with WWF. Specifically, this will fund the WWF’s Reverse the Bad Student Program and its other program such as environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation. The organization aims to empower, educate and instill the notion of investing in their future which may translate to more sustainable choices.

WWF and its partners are inviting everybody runners and non-runners alike to participate in this unique fun run event. Interested participants can already register in selected Chris Sports branches located at SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila and Glorietta 3. Runners can also participate in Sketchers outlets located at Trinoma, Market-Market, and Festival Mall Alabang.