By Walter Ang
June 27, 2013
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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| Benito Bengzon Jr. and Julian Vassallo |
The festival was launched at Enderun Colleges where Julian Vassallo, political counselor for the European Union Delegation, gave the welcome remarks. The festival runs until end of June.
Present were Assistant Tourism Secretary Benito Bengzon Jr. and the ambassadors of the Czech Republic (Josef Rychtar), the Netherlands (Ton Boon von Ochssee), Romania (Valeriu Gheorghe) and Spain (Jorge Domecq).
"European Culinary Season 2013 includes special national menus, chef demonstrations, flamenco nights, wine tasting, and culinary film screenings, beer tasting and guitar evenings, and culinary treasure hunts and a pub quiz," said Vassallo.
"From haute cuisine to food that's good for the soul, for special, sumptuous meals with the finest ingredients, European Culinary Season 2013 offers everything from the sublime to the delicious," he added.
Vassallo said the festival is the brainchild of the Cultural Group of the EU Delegation. "The group reached out to chefs and restaurateurs to provide a selection of venues and events that is as varied and colorful as the culinary scene of Manila."
Chocolates and Swiss fare
Picasso's Place at New Horizon Hotel (Mandaluyong City) has a four-course Belgian menu featuring cheese croquettes, spinach veloute, Belgian beef stew and chocolate mousse.
Swiss restaurants Chesa Bianca (Makati) and L'entrecote (Bonifacio Global City, Taguig) present traditional Swiss menus until June 30.
Participating French restaurants include Aubergine (BGC), Buddha Bar (Makati) and Chef Jessie Restaurants (Rockwell Center, Makati).
The Culinary Institute of Aristocrat held a demonstration of French culinary masterpieces on June 19.
Spirits and quizzes
Alba Restaurant (with branches in Quezon City, Muntinlupa, Makati and Mall of Asia) has a promo on Spanish tapas and sangria.
German bier bar and restaurant Brotzeit (Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Mandaluyong) will host a quiz on German cuisine whose winners will receive special prizes.
Union Jack Tavern (Festival Mall Alabang) will offer special British highlights throughout the season.
Czech Microbrewery of Bravo Restaurant (Makati) will feature European beers.
More
Restaurant 101 (Enderun Colleges, Taguig City) will feature classic Austrian dishes.
Dutch Bread Hauz (Makati) will highlight its special bread.
The project also has a Facebook game (facebook.com/EUDelegationToThePhilippines) called "Euro Culinary Trip Quiz" that gives contestants a chance to win prizes such as gift certificates to New Horizon Hotel, lunch set gift certificates to Brotzeit and gift certificates to Alba restaurant.
Winners will be announced on July 1.
European Culinary Season 2013 is part of Viva Europa, the EU delegation to the Philippines' cultural showcase featuring European art, music, dance, film, languages, food and poetry.
Visit eeas.europa.eu/delegations/Philippines.
Also published online:
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/110347/manila-gets-a-taste-of-european-culinary-season