Chef Alexis Bouillet, Ojie Dominguez PiggingOutOnSundays, Reese Rayos The Foodie Station , Chef Nicholas Vergnlole

It was a sunny day, when I hied off to Grand Hyatt Manila for their exciting Culinary Master Experience featuring  World Pastry Chef 2011 Champion Alexis Bouillet together with Grand Hyatt Manila’s Pastry Chef Nicholas Vergnole.  The venue was 66 storeys high with a spectacular 360 degree view of BGC. Had a blast trying my hand at recreating Chef Alexis' beautiful chocolate choux dessert under his watchful eyes and kind tutelage 

Grand Hyatt Manila, in partnership with Cluizel Paris, prepared a special collaboration for The Peak Grill’s newest dessert. The launch was held at Penthouse No. 66 in an exclusive Culinary Master Experience led by World Pastry Champion of the 2011 World Skills Competition and Cluizel Paris’ ambassador, Chef Alexis Bouillet, together with Grand Hyatt Manila’s executive pastry chef, Nicolas Vergnole. 

The master chefs showcased their innovative skills and precision techniques in creating fine desserts through a fun and interactive chocolate demonstration and tasting graced by 20 notable media guests and food leaders. This collaborative event aims to create the perfect dessert infusion of locally produced ingredients and Cluizel’s indulgent chocolates.

For the first demonstration, Chef Alexis  and Chef Nicholas showed us how he created the Dark Chocolate Praline Choux. It is made from chocolate choux puff and chocolate crumble topped with hazelnut milk chocolate whipped ganache, roasted hazelnut, 72% kayambe dark chocolate namelaka, cocoa nibs and asin tibuok, one of the world’s rarest salt found in Bohol. 

It was a delight trying my hand at recreating Chef Alexis' work of art,  under his kind tutelage. Did a decent job if I may say so myself (lol) which earned me a black apron for my effort. Yay!

He then continued with the next dessert - Cocoa Pod Plated Dessert,. Think eggshell-shaped chocolate with Gruétine meringue francaise, cocoa streusel, Laguna 70% dark chocolate namelaka, dark chocolate espuma and cocoa nib ice cream. 

What fun  as it is now  foodie EJ Bunag and The Hungry Chef Nathaniel Uy 's turn to  get their hands dirty mimicking the technique and precision of Chef Alexis and Chef Nicholas in the making of Cocoa Pod Plated Dessert

Then the most awaited part - the tasting! 

Guests were asked to judge which between  the two dessert masterpieces deserves a spot on The Peak’s Grill’s menu. My vote goes to the Cocoa Pod Plated Dessert. Alas it was bested by  The Dark Chocolate Praline Choux which had the most votes.  This winning dessert  will be available to dine-in guests starting December 2022. 

Thank you Ms. Inah Manalaysay, Director of Marketing & Communications Grand Hyatt Manila

The Peak Grill is open on Tuesdays to Saturdays,from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Prior reservation is required. Guests may book a table at bit.ly/The PeakBGC.

For inquiries and reservations, call (63 2) 88381234 or email manila.grand@hyatt.com.  For updates on the hotel’s latest promotions, follow Grand Hyatt Manila on Instagram @grandhyattmanilaph and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GrandHyattManilaPh.

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Elevate Your Holidays with Shume-Chef Sa Sarap Dishes with the 

new Nestlé Carnation Evap

It’s the most wonderful time of the year in less than  two weeks and there’s no better time to prepare our families’ Noche Buena and Media Noche menu! 

As the queen of  our kitchen kingdom ( hehe), I am thrilled to  unleash my inner Shume-Chef self using the NEW Nestlé Carnation Evap with its amazing resealable package!

Made with more milk than ever*, the new and improved cooking milk elevates your cooking and helps you taste milky-namnam in every bite. 

Whether it’s a special holiday dish or your regular ulam, the new and enhanced offering of Nestlé Carnation Evap elevates your dining experience with the same taste that you love, only better! 

Now packed in an easy open, resealable packaging for ease of use, everyone can transform and level up their dishes into milky-creamy creations para talagang shume-chef!  

So bring out those family favorite recipes and make them shume-chef sa sarap with Nestlé Carnation Evap. 

In case you want to try something new, have a look at cookwithcarnation.phfor easy-to-do meals and desserts to add to your bisperas menu. 

Recipes include the classic Chicken Pastel, Beef Caldereta, and Cathedral Window, and there are also a few more additions that chefs and chefs at heart would want to try. With the new Nestlé Carnation Evap, talagang shume-chef ang galing sa kusina atmas milky-creamy ang bawat lutuin!    

Be sure to take photos of your culinary creations and use the hashtag #ShumeChefWithCarnation . Basta kasama ang Nestlé Carnation Evap, angat sa milky-namnam ang bawat lutuin. Shume-chef sa sarap!    

Check out Nestlé Carnation Evap at leading groceries, drug stores, on Lazada or Shopee. For the latest news and updates, visithttps://www.facebook.com/nestlecarnationph

*Versus previous formulation

Missing the experience of dining in with friends and loved ones, here are a few tips to keep it safe

Like it or not, the global COVID-19 pandemic has radically altered our lives as we know it.  WFH, quarantine , zero social interaction , mask & face shield for ootd are just among a few of the changes that  we continue to grapple with and adjust to.

This is why enjoying dining in a place other than our homes  when lockdowns are relaxed is a welcome respite  from our restricted reality. 

However, just because restrictions are eased, does not mean that we can let down our guard against Madame Covid and her posse  which include Miss Delta et al. The freedom to go outside and eat out carries risk that we can overcome while keeping safe. 

Sharing some tips from East West Credit Card  to keep you safe and healthy when dining out:

Get vaccinated as soon as possible

This goes without saying—getting vaccinated is our best bet to protect ourselves from the worst effects of COVID-19.  Studies prove that vaccines are your best defense against it. Getting vaccinated protects yourself and your loved ones.

Try to dine al fresco as much as possible

You have been indoors too long. Enjoy the sun and breathe in fresh air. Free flowing air reduces the chance of catching the virus.

Go to restaurants with fewer people

Make sure you go to restaurants that strictly follow the mandated occupancy rate. You still want to minimize the risk of getting the virus, and the more people there are in a single place, the higher the chances are.

Wear a mask and a face shield Do not take off your mask unless you are ready to eat. As they say “an ounce of prevention is a pound of cure”

Practice social distancing and sanitization

Even when you’re vaccinated and wearing the right PPEs, it’s still best to practice social distancing and constant sanitization. Wash your hands before and after eating. For good measure spray some alcohol on your hands. Go ahead, dress up, put on some make up and spritz your favorite perfume. You are now ready to meet up with your favorite people and catch up over your favorite food.

Don’t forget to take advantage of exclusive deals and promos to make the most of your experience with your EastWest credit card. Here are some restaurant promos for EastWest credit cardholders that you can take advantage of:

• Las Casas Quezon City – 10% off on food and beverage for a minimum spend of P1,500
• Firehouse Pizza, Crimson Hotel Filinvest City, Manila – 40% off on a la carte menu
• Burgoo – Free Seafood Linguini for a minimum food purchase of P750 and a beverage order 
• Gumbo – Free Chicken Parmigiana for a minimum food purchase of P750 and a beverage order

Don’t have an EastWest credit card yet? Apply NOW! Chat with their  ESTA Chatbot on Facebook Messenger at www.ewlend.com/creditCard, visit bit.ly/EWBCreditCardApply, or head to your nearest EastWest store to find out more and apply for an EastWest credit card.

About East West Banking Corporation

East West Banking Corporation (EastWest) is a universal bank catering to the financial needs of mid-sized businesses, consumers, and the mass affluent. Since 2012, EastWest has been trading under the symbol “EW” on the Philippine Stock Exchange. EastWest is a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corporation (FDC), one of the country’s leading conglomerates with a diverse range of interests including real estate, banking, hospitality & tourism, power generation, and sugar. For more information, go to ewbanker.com.

And what an experience it was with Kuya Tonypet, Chef Arghie Omana & GMA star Sanya Lopez .

15 hours , 3 restaurants, 4 meals, 20+ courses & countless takes later and I cant help but be in awe of the boundless positive energy of the production crew and the leadership qualities of Kuya Tonypet.

At the end of the day I was exhausted but felt exhilaration at ticking off this journey in my bucket list haha

Do enjoy this episode where I get to review the food in Salamanka Restaurant together with Kuya Tonypet, Sanya Lopez and Chef Arghie of Frirnds & Family

https://youtu.be/GctiwGKsaD4