FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

So what would you serve the President of the United Stated of America? For his first visit to the Philippines, President Barack Obama will have to experience the best gastronomy the Filipinos can serve and it includes lobsters and mangoes from the island of Guimaras. Based on a Philippine Daily Inquirer report , the executive cook of the of the top hotels in the country (tasked for the state dinner) will prepare a Filipino seafood feast for the state dinner at Malacañang Palace. Read more MANILA, Philippines – On his first state visit to the Philippines, US President Barack Obama will have a taste of Filipino seafood for dinner, a radio report said. The report, quoting the executive cook of the Makati Shangri-La which will host the state dinner later, said one of the main dishes is lobster from Guimaras island , which the chef claimed is among the “best lobster in the country.” “I was in Guimaras, they tell me that our lobster is best in the island, one of the best lobste

Summer of 2014 is probably one of the hottest summers we might have encountered. With temperatures around 35 degrees and " init factor " almost hitting the 40's, getting and staying cool is a must.  Good thing, Freska's Hometown Buffet includes a halo-halo that comes with ube sorbetes (referred to as "dirty ice cream"). So instead of making the usual halo-halo mix (shaved ice with assorted ingredients), I opted for an all ube sorbetes cooler with all the works. In short, instead of shaved ice, I used ube sorbetes. Cool! Really cool! What's even cooler is that Freska Hometown Buffet offers a Summer Edition Buffet including this halo-halo station for only PhP299 with one round of drinks. Started yesterday April, 26, 2014, it'll run until the end of May and is available during lunch and dinner from Monday to Sunday.  

With the formal launching of The Terraza at Camiña Balay nga Bato in Guimaras , Springbloom Farms can now showcase its various produce through its Farm-to-Plate Culinary Experience. Inspired by the  Farm-to-table (or farm-to-fork ) movement, this kind of gastronomy refers to the stages of the production of food: harvesting, storage, processing, packaging, sales, and consumption .  It also refers to  producing food locally and delivering that food to local consumers. Linked to the local food movement, the Farm-to-Table is promoted by some in the agriculture, food service, and restaurant communities. It may also be associated with organic farming initiatives, sustainable agriculture, and community-supported agriculture. (from Wikipedia ) Springbloom Farms in Sibunag, Guimaras commercially produce red lady papaya, bananas and pineapple, among others. On a smaller scale, they also have cashew, calamansi, rootcrops, native fruits and assorted vegetable produce. Combined with

Tinapayan Bakeshop brings Easter cheers to the Ilonggos with their 2014 collection of delectable goodies in celebration of the season.  Catch these Easter Rabbits (PhP180) as they come in (milk) chocolate that will make you hop with satisfaction! Specially wrapped as if just hatched, these Easter Chicks (PhP55) will surely bring a smile to both the young ones and young once. There are also chocolate Easter Chickens (PhP100) to guide these chicks! But you can get them all at once with these Easter Egg (PhP40) collection featuring rabbits, chickens and chicks! Have a blessed and yummy Easter from Tinapayan Bakeshop!   Check all these Easter goodies at Tinapayan Bakeshop located at Iloilo Supermart at The Atrium, Mary Mart Mall, Villa-Arevalo, Mandurriao, Molo and Tabuc-Suba Jaro.  

Around 30 minutes from the Jordan Pier is Springbloom Farms in Sibunag , Guimaras and right in the middle of it is a gastronomic escape. The newly opened  Terraza  at  Camiña Balay nga Kawayan  aims to contribute to the fast-rising Farm-2-Plate tourism thrust in the island province of Guimaras. With a breathtaking view of Lawi Bay, the al fresco terrace can accommodate a large group of guests  -around 50. Nearby are banana, papaya and pineapple plantations with occasional kasuy, chico and other fruit trees dotting the area.  With no less than the Atty. Helen Catalbas (right), Regional Director of the Department of Tourism 6 - Western Visayas as the guest of honor, Dir. Gerard and Luth Camiña (left) welcomed friends and guests to the blessing of their newest tourism venture. Highlighting the event was, of course, a feast of the farms produce as well as goods and services in the nearby areas. Farm-2-Plate Tourism explores the fresh bounty of a places and its locality. 

It was just an impromptu food trip in and around Lapaz market a few months ago when I discovered this ube brazo de mercedes from the Lapaz Bakeshop. I got to taste and take home this ube dessert that later on became a staple at home. Lapaz Bakeshop sits on the corner of Tinda Lapaz right across Grand Dame Hotel. A restaurant named Lapaz Kitchenette was the previous locator of the space and it was famous for it's PhP59 buffet . The bakeshop is among the bigger "small town" bakeshops in the city with it's wide range of breads, pastries and cakes plus shorts snack items. It even has branches in some towns in Iloilo including one in my hometown, Sta. Barbara. It was a quick side trip made by Sir Eugene that time that introduced me to this ube variant of brazos. He bought a few slices of this dessert and brought it inside Madge Cafe inside the market. It was perfect with the cafe's native coffee and the filling is somewhat like ube halaya. The meringue is jus

Cool off this summer with something that's even hotter than the sun's scorching heat! It's finally here Chili Gelato from  Nothing But Desserts at The Avenue Complex. A bite in every scoop, this Italian ice cream made with something local is one that would make a curious order. Unusual for something this hot to be made cool - you'd definitely be tempted to try!  Just for this photo shoot, I borrowed this mean-looking chili to top off my my gelato order. First bite gives you a sweet creamy goodness of the gelato then the spiciness creeps in. You'll just have to eat this continuously so that the spiciness is overcome by the sweet and creamy taste. It's also helpful to have a glass of water nearby. So give in to the sweet-spicy temptation of this chili gelato only from Nothing But Desserts! Nothing but Desserts  The Avenue Complex, Glicerio Pison Avenue, Brgy. San Rafael, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Tel No. (033) 329-5815