Support local farmers with Ayala’s Eat and Box All-You-Can
GET as many mangoes as you can stuff in a box for P200 or as many vegetables as you can stuff in a box for just under P700. This is the come-on from Ayala Malls’ Alagang AyalaLand Program and Rural Rising (RuRi) Box All You Can offer. At the height of the pandemic, the non-profit organization RuRi helped distressed Filipino farmers get back on their feet by sending rescue trucks to areas where there was an over-production of produce and paying the farmers above-farm gate prices. Recently, however, with RuRi’s limited capacity, it has been difficult to purchase all their produce and thereby meet the full depth of the farmers’ daily needs. After RuRi mused on this dilemma in a Facebook post, Ayala Malls offered the Activity Center of Alabang Town Center for three days to support the cause and bring local goods within the reach of patrons. Participants could collect all the fruits and vegetables they could fit inside a 14x14x8 box within 10 minutes. The success of Box-All-You-Can at Alabang Town Center prompted the continuation, as well as a variation, of the effort. Now Ayala Malls and RuRi invite everyone to a Mango Eat-All-You-Can on June 11 for P200 and a Box-All-You-Can for P699 on June 12. Both one-day events are happening exclusively at Market! Market! Guimaras’ famous mangoes will be on offer at the Mango Eat-All-You-Can for P200. Just like in any buffet, the mangos cannot be boxed or taken home. Registrants also have the option to donate the yellow mangoes to a worker, a security guard, a rider, or a driver, for the same price. Pick and reserve a time slot in advance by signing up here: http://bit.ly/MAYC-RRPH. Meanwhile, for the Box-All-You-Can on June 12, shoppers can fill a 14” x 14” box with as many locally produced fruits and vegetables as they can for P699. The produce includes fresh beets, carrots, radish, cauliflower, eggplant, cabbage, corn, potato, pineapple, papaya, lettuce, and more, coming from all around Luzon. Register in advance for this one-day event here: https://bit.ly/BAYCatMM-RRPH. Alabang Town Center is also preparing for round two with RuRi at a Fruit-All-You-Can event on July 9 to 10.
Sofitel to launch new Filipino-French bistro
LE BAR, one of Sofitel Manila’s dining destinations, celebrates its grand launch on June 16, in partnership with local producers Auro Chocolate, Esguerra Farms, Aba Pardes Hyrdoponic, and Malagos Farmhouse. This night will also be highlighted by their wine partner from Möet Hennessy, the official distributor of Whispering Angel, one of the world’s best rosé. Sofitel Manila’s Executive Chef Bettina Arguelles launches the latest menu of Le Bar highlighting Filipino flavors while incorporating French culinary techniques. “It has always been my dream to showcase Filipino cuisine and support locally sourced products,” said Ms. Arguelles in a statement. The new Le Bar menu takes homey Filipino dishes which are given a luxurious twist. The new unique concept of Filipino-French “bistronomy” will be introduced at Le Bar’s grand launch on June 16 for P3,500 per person. Book a seat at (+63) 2 8832-6988 or e-mail H6308-FB12@sofitel.com
The International Bazaar returns with focus on food
ON Sunday, June 12, the International Bazaar Foundation, Inc. (IBF) in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) together with SM Mall Of Asia (MOA), will be hosting Shop, Taste & Celebrate, IBF’s first bazaar since the pandemic. The event will be held at the SM MOA Music Hall from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Participating countries include Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, China, Denmark, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Peru, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Ukraine, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates.There will be manuka honey from New Zealand, juices from South Africa, Ceylon tea products from Sri Lanka, various pastries and desserts from Syria, and local fabrics and weaves from the HABI Foundation and Dita Sandico. This fund-raising bazaar aims to foster and strengthen the friendship shared between the Philippines and the rest of the world, all while raising awareness through sumptuous food, music and signature products. Alongside this mini-bazaar is the ASEAN Food Fest which will be showcasing signature dishes and cuisines from the various ASEAN member states. Try Brunei Darussalam’s nasi pusu with egg or Cambodia’s favorite breakfast dish, num banh chok Khmer. Indonesia will be highlighting their famous sate ayam and nasi goreng while Lao PDR will offer a salad of papaya, chicken, and sticky rice. There will be two iterations of Malaysia’s nasi lemak, served with a side of either beef rendang or spiced fried chicken. Myanmar’s unofficial national dish, a rice noodle soup served in a hearty fish-and-shallot-based broth called mohinga will be available. There will be Filipino specialties such as Via Mare’s pancit luglog, puto bungbong, and bibinka. Ensaymada from Baby Pat Breads and Pastries updated with such flavors as peanut butter Choc Nut will also be for sale. There will also be laksa from Singapore, bagoong fried rice and shrimp pad thai from Thailand, and banh mi from Vietnam. Like the ASEAN Ladies Foundation, Inc. on Facebook and view a variety of ASEAN cooking videos on the DFA Special Projects Unit’s YouTube channel.
Diamond Hotel food fest features chef Tatung Sarthou
REDISCOVER the Flavors of the Archipelago at Diamond Hotel during the Filipino Food Festival from June 6 to 12, featuring dishes by award-winning celebrity chef, restaurateur, best-selling cookbook author, and YouTuber Tatung Sarthou. To celebrate Philippine Independence, the Corniche Lunch and Dinner buffet spread spans the cuisines of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for P3,300 net per person. These include Pako salad, Kinilaw na tuna and Sinuglaw to Sinampalukang manok, Papaitan soup and Beef hinalang, to Pancit pusit, Callos, Balbacua, Pinaggang and Beef kulma. The carving section will highlight the popular Lechon belly roll and Roast beef adobo. Dessert includes Browa, Torta Bisaya, leche flan, buco pie, and more. Guests spending P5,000 net at the Corniche Buffet will get a chance to win roundtrip airline tickets for two persons via Cebu Pacific Air to any local destination of choice at a raffle. For restaurant reservations, call (02) 8528-3000 or reserve online via onlineshopping.diamondhotel.com.
Chefs Del Rosario, Boutwood join plant-based movement
TWO of the country’s top chefs — Sau Del Rosario and Josh Boutwood — have made the choice to join the plant-based movement. In collaboration with Nestle Philippines’ Harvest Gourmet brand, they both created a pair of burger dishes for their respective restaurants in an effort to test out the appeal of plant-based “meat” among their customers. Mr. Del Rosario created a plant-based Adobo burger with pinakbet okoy and Buffalo wings with calamansi aioli and a Korean-inspired plant-based Burger with ssam jang, kimchi, and nori flavored fries. The latter is currently available to order from his Cafe Fleur restaurant menu. These flavorful creations were made using Harvest Gourmet Sensational Burger and Harvest Gourmet Chargrilled pieces. Mr. Boutwood, on the other hand, made his own creation of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat Burger made with Harvest Gourmet Sensational Burger, Colby Jack cheese, charcoal grilled cucumber relish, burger sauce, chipotle sauce, and micro greens. He also made a plant-based Honey buffalo (chicken) sandwich made with Harvest Gourmet Schnitzel, coleslaw, and secret sauce, available for a limited time at his Test Kitchen. For a limited time only, Nestlé Professional Philippines is offering Harvest Gourmet products at a special discount of up to 36% on both e-commerce and wholesale platforms. Harvest Gourmet products are available through Nestlé Professional Philippines and e-commerce partners: Rare Food Shop, Lazada, Shopee, and Wholemart PH.
First MUJI Coffee opens in the Philippines
JAPANESE lifestyle brand MUJI has just opened its newest store in the Philippines in Central Square. The 1,400 sqm space in Central Square — at the corner of 5th Avenue and 30th Street in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) — is over three times the size of its previous store in Bonifacio High Street. This expanded store in BGC will also have new features starting with MUJI Philippines’ first ever MUJI Coffee — a small space where customers can relax, work, or spend time with friends and family. MUJI Coffee offer coffee, tea, and some light snacks that are inspired by Japanese treats. It is equipped with MUJI furniture, which customers can experience while they take a break inside the store. All the coffee and select tea beverages served will make use of coffee beans and tea leaves that are certified by the Rainforest Alliance, an international non-government organization that fights against deforestation and climate change. And like all of its merchandise, MUJI will offer MUJI Coffee products in sustainable or recyclable packaging to help conserve the environment. With Bonifacio Global City known as a “walkable city,” MUJI will make free drinking water available to customers and guests through its Water Refilling Station. Customers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bottle instead of buying water in single-use plastic bottles. To complement this service, MUJI Central Square will also carry Reusable Water Bottles available for purchase. The new store will also have the biggest display of MUJI Walker active wear, Children’s Wear, and Innerwear. In addition, MUJI Central Square will also carry specialty products and services such as the MUJI Labo unisex clothing line, Open MUJI, and free consultation services with its Interior, Styling, and Experience Advisors. MUJI is offering a free MUJI Eco Card to all MUJI Members. To complete the MUJI Eco Card, Members need to accumulate nine stamps which can be done by using their own reusable bags in lieu of MUJI packaging when shopping in any MUJI Philippines store, or by using the MUJI Water Refilling Station with their own reusable water bottle. Once all nine stamps are completed, MUJI Members can either receive a free 12 oz drink at MUJI Coffee, or get a P100 discount (with a minimum purchase of P500) applicable in any MUJI store. In the Philippines, MUJI is also located at Greenbelt 3, Power Plant Mall at Rockwell, Shangri-La Plaza East Wing, and SM Mall of Asia.
DoT rolls out Calabarzon farm tourism circuits
AS part of the reboot of the tourism industry in the Calabarzon Region (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon provinces), the Department of Tourism (DoT) recently rolled out its culinary circuits caravan to showcase notable farm tourism sites and their unique farm-to-table dining experiences. Also known as the Southern Tagalog Region, it is among the most visited areas for Metro Manilans because of its proximity and good road network. The farm tour circuits consist of accredited establishments which tour operators and travelers can customize to savor the rich culinary and cultural heritage of the five provinces. The region currently has 26 accredited farm tourism establishments, many of which are also recognized by the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) as community farm schools. In addition, there are also scores of farm-themed resorts and restaurants in the region that are accredited by the government tourism agency. Farms are safe alternatives to crowded tourist spots because of their open spaces, fresh air, physical distancing, and freshly cooked dishes. Among the region’s farm tourism sites recommended by the DoT are Terra Verde Ecofarm, Bounty Harvest Farm, EMV Flower Farm Indang, Luntiang Republika Ecofarms, and The Weekend Farmer in Cavite; Casa San Pablo in San Pablo City, Graco Farms & Leisure, Silent Integrated Farm, Farmshare Prime, and Jasif Integrated Farms in Laguna; Don Leon Nature Farm, Mileah Bee Farm, and Lica Farms in Lipa City in Batangas; Flor’s Garden and Nature Haven in Antipolo City, FDRJ Camping Sites Rental, and Pili Paninap Farms in Rizal; and for Quezon, there’s Francesca de Banahaw, Bukid Amara, and Linang ni LK Restaurant.
Lyger Coffee delivers cups of coffee to customers
FIVE-MONTH-OLD brand Lyger Coffee joins the bustling local coffee scene with their premium mini cups of coffee, which can be delivered right to the customer’s doorstep by end-to-end fulfillment company, LOCAD. Made from pure Arabica coffee beans from the mountains of Colombia, the first crystallized coffee in the country goes through an innovative process of freeze-drying. This method of crystallization brings out the best in the coffee beans: clear-cut flavors and aromas at a much higher level than regular dried coffee. It comes in tiny cups into which customers can pour any kind of hot or cold liquid — water or milk — for coffee within literally 20 seconds. Lyger Coffee currently comes in americano and latte flavors. The cups of coffee are delivered to the customer via LOCAD. Lyger is set to add more items over the next few months. Plus, together with a local NGO, Lyger has launched their Return Your Mini Cups Program which recycles used mini cups by turning them into construction bricks. To encourage their patrons to join them in this advocacy, Lyger gives away freebies to those who send back 50 empty mini-cups.