FIRST FOOD SAFARI - September 24/25, 2011

The evening of Sept 24, 2011 was the launching of Tour Flair’s First Food Safari at Restaurant 101 in Enderun Colleges, at McKinley Hill in Bonfacio. Nicolas Cantrel - Enderun’snewly arrived French chef form Alain Ducasse in Paris, was to prepare a French/ Filipino fusion gourmet dinner – a first in Filipino cuisine. Chef Cantrel was winner of the acclaimed Iron Chef earlier this year, and was Master Chef to many of Ducasse’s Michelinstarred restaurants in France and New York.

All the guests proceeded to Enderun’s demo kitchen on the second floor where Chef Cantrel wowed everyone with his demonstration of the local banana – “saging saba” – baked to perfection with ham and gruyere cheese. Mouthwatering! This was followed by his Frenchified version of the traditional local favourite, Karé Karé de Pata ( stewed pig's knuckles in peanut sauce) with Ravioli. We all had a small tantalising taste of this special dish as it was to be served as the main course at the dinner.

Cantrel Demonstration Kare-kare Ravioli

We then all proceeded to the foyer where an aperitif and hors d’oeurves were served at the bar. The gruyere lumpia (spring rolls) served piping hot and the “escargots” with coconut on a pastry shell were to die for. Enderun’s signature cocktail really put everyone in the right mood and we still had a 4 course dinner - with wine pairings - to look forward to.

At dinner we were served an entré of Stuffed Crab with citrus (crabes farcis aux agrumes) washed down with a fabulous Pinot Grigio followed by Chef Cantrel’s special sorbet to cleanse the pallet before the long awaited Kare Kare Ravioli (ravioli de beufs aux aubergine). This dish was certainly something out of this world – like something no one ever tried before and it was absolutely divine! The fusion of the French/ Filipino cuisine really brought out to perfection the texture and flavour of the dish. Even the die-hard Filipino food enthusiasts and famed local Chef Sau del Rosario were totally impressed. One of the foreign guests commented that it was one of the best dishes she had tasted in a long time. Congratulations to Chef Extraordinaire Nicolas Cantrel! And to top it all off, he served us the most exquisite “mille fleur de noix de cajou” – his version of Sans Rival.

All 35 guests were overly satisfied -- certainly a fitting start to TOUR FLAIR’S FOOD SAFARI

The next day, a group of 30 met at Enderun for a full day Food Safari in Pampanga – just an hour north of Manila. Our first stop was the turn-of –the –century kitchen of Lilian Borromeo, one of the pioneers of traditional Pampango cuisine. We saw how hot chocolate was prepared in those times – from the grounding of the cocoa beans and peanuts in an antique stone grinder to the final delicious Pampango hot chocolate drink. She demonstrated her famous local deserts and San Nicolas cookies using the old traditional utensils, pots and pans.Her stories behind the origins of the dishes were truly interesting. Everyone had their fill of hot chocolate, cookies, tomato jellies, and “tibuk-tibuk” – and of course, we had to buy, to take home these incredible freshly prepared goodies.

Lillian Borromeo giving food demo Grinding the "tsokolate"

Then it was off to Angeles – where we were greeted with a refreshing fruit drink by renowned Filipino Chef Sau del Rosario at the ancestral home of the Henson family. Chef Sau was trained in all the top Manila hotels, then furthered his training in France in several Michelin Star restaurants. He managed restaurants in Shanghai and Singapore before returning to Manila to open his own, among them the popular Museum Café. The Henson home was builtusing wood and stone in 1824 by Angel Pantaleon de Miranda who founded the city of Angeles. This beautiful Spanish/Filipino home, with it’s wood beams, antique wooden flooring and furnishing and kitchen was a fitting venue for the traditional Pampango cuisine prepared by Chef Sau. Chef Sau’s demo of Pampanga tamales – local style – was followed by a 6-course sit-down lunch. Each dish was exquisitely plated, one tasting better than the next, and as they were served to the guests, Chef Sau explained the history and background of the different dishes. He outdid himself with his special “Guava Soup” and traditional “morcon". This was followed by tasty “kakanins” (local desserts).

Menu: Paco Salad with Prawns; Burong Mangga with Fried Catfish; Bulanglang – Guava Sinigang Stew; Rellenong Bangus – Stuffed Milkfish; Morcon – Meatroll; Tibok-tibok, Jalea de Ube, Flan

Chef Sau demonstrating tamale making Pampango style

After a sumptuous and filling lunch, all the ladies – in true form – went to the local shops to buy more sweets and goodies - specialties of the region.

Chef Sau serving guests Paco Salad with Prawns

And still we were not satisfied. We hopped on the coaster, and crossed all the way to Arayat, in the foothills of the famed Pampanga mountain, to converge on a small, quaint “halo halo” shop (this is a local dessert with a mix of corn, beans, pastillas de leche, and carabao milk with crushed ice). A really fabulously delicious end to the FOOD SAFARI!

This is just the first of a series of Filipino Food Safaris that TOUR FLAIR will be promoting around the Philippines. A Food Safari to Vigan - a heritage listed Spanish town up north, and to Ilocos Norte, as well as the historical town of Pila, Laguna south of Manila, are being planned. Chef Sau del Rosario will be the host chef.

Villa Escudero

One fine Sunday in November, we took off for a family day trip to Villa Escudero, an enchanting resort in Quezon province, just 2 hours from Manila. The Robinson family - Liza, Paul and their 2 beautiful daughters – Ines and Francesca, the Infantes – Javy and kids (Gabi and Alfonso), and Josphine del Gallego Knox were the guests of TOUR FLAIR, with Dinty Keating. Villa Escudero was originally a coconut plantation and was the ancestral home of the very wealthy and influential Escudero family. The family had lived there for generations, but in the 1960s they decided to share the beauty and charm of the place with the people and opened it up to the public.

Upon arrival at the Villa, you are driven through a forest of coconut trees – once part of the original plantation. Carabao (water buffalo) carts are waiting to take you inside the Villa grounds. Our carabao was called MAGANDA – which means “beautiful” in Filipino. The slow and leisurely ride around the grounds was totally enjoyable – with a guitarist and singer crooning old traditional Filipino songs. The kids were absolutely thrilled and excited!

Our first stop was the restaurant, as everyone was hungry and thirsty and wanted a snack and some breakfast. The restaurant overlooks the picturesque and serene lake, where the cottages are located. Across the lake is Mt. Banahaw, a mystical mountain - according to folklore – and a forest where thousands of native birds abound. Birdwatching and mountain climbing are some of the very popular activities in the Villa.

Paul and Liza Robinson were brave enough to take the bamboo raft down the lake. The kids did a bit of fishing and we had to restrain them from jumping into the pool and water slides. They were that excited.

We all climbed back into our carabao cart and were whisked off to the museum.

This was the old ancestral home of the Escuderos which had been rebuilt to replicate the 16^th century church in the barrio (town). The old man Escudero was an avid collector and the museum showcases his varied and very interesting collection of artifacts and treasures that he had accumulated in all his travels. The first floor houses the religious items and “carruajes” or carriages with statues of Jesus Christ, Mary, and the saints in their elaborately designed robes.These carriages are still used in the parades during the feast days of the town. The chandeliers from the 17^th and 18^th centuries adorn the rafters of the church. Upstairs you can see everything from excavated chinese jars and vases to old armor and uniforms from the 2 world wars, diving gear from the 19^th century and even a shrunken head from the Amazons! Original correspondence from General MacArthur and Jose Rizal were also displayed. Parts of the original house depicted the lifestyle of the gentry in the 19^th century. Truly amazing and worth seeing.

Then it was off to lunch. This was truly the highlight of the day. As we approached the lunch area, we could hear the roar of the waterfalls splashing down the river. The long bamboo tables and chairs were set in the water beneath the waterfalls and a fabulous buffet was spread out on tables. The kids were beside themselves in excitement! They were going to have lunch with their feet in the water. What a treat! They splashed and jumped in the water and we were hard put to have them eat at all. Gabi was so awed that she said she wanted her house to be the same way. They all got happily soaked when Paul took them under the falls. None of them wanted to leave.

To cap the wonderful events of the day, we were treated to a Filipino native dance show, which depicted all the regions of the Philippines – from the mountains in the far north to the muslim regions down south.

Everyone was now truly tired – but happy. So, it was back on our carabao cart and off to the cars for the drive back to Manila. A truly wonderful experience – Filipino style!