Chef Laudicos x Kitchen Mafia at Guevarras

I've been following their careers as restaurateurs, chefs, in and out of TV. Husband and wife Chef Roland and Chef Jac are no strangers in Philippine kitchens, and they've been doing a good job doing what they do best, showcase our cuisine in their restaurants and to the rest of the world. I have also been able to see them on Asian Food Channel a couple of times, plus form friendships with chefs from other ASEAN countries. Remember AFC's Amazing Food Challenge: Fun in the Philippines? That's where the Laudicos met Malaysian Celebrity Chef Sherson Lian. Well he was in the country last December together with his Kitchen Mafia business partner Chef Johnny Fua. They figured they're already here so what better way to give back their time learning Filipino cuisine from the Laudicos by working with them again this 2018, to introduce a whole line of dishes in hopes of getting them be a part of the menu featured in Chef Laudico's very own restaurant GUEVARRAS.

Filipino Breads with Adobo Pate, Dried Mango Chutney, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and Sinamak

Chef Sherson finds a lot of similarities between ours and Malaysian cuisine. The produce may be a little different but the functions are the same. The goal is, to get what they usually cook in their home turf but use Filipino ingredients. He finds this a most exciting opportunity. Chef Johnny on the other hand thinks this is a good way to learn, to learn ideas from other chefs and be in someone else's kitchen so they can cook with Filipino ingredients and still find balance in its flavors.

Tanigue and Kerabu

This is Tanigue and Kerabu made of flour breaded Spanish Mackerel with Green Mango Kerabu in Coconut vinegar and crushed roasted cashews. Golden fried stuff with crunchy and tangy green mangoes and carrots, it's a play on textures and temperatures. They usually use calamansi in Malaysia buy used Vinegar this time as souring agent. Delish!

Kuah Lodeh

This is their Kuah Lodeh, a light coconut and turmeric based soup with Suahe as protein and slivers of Kamias fruit, crispy bean curd skin, Alamang Sambal and Pako. This had a light refreshing taste even with the intense spices used in the dish. They also air dried bagoong Alamang for the Sambal which you can use to mix in the soup if you want a more spicy kick. 

Beef Rendang

The main course was phenomenal. This is their Beef Rendang made of slow roasted Angus beef in Rendang sauce with an enveloped black rice with Gata and Pechay. This made me full in minutes. They used intense pungent flavors on the almost fall off the bone beef chunk. You can try to resist the black rice, but you will also fail. Give in and nourish yourself with this Malaysian staple.

Cendol Leche Flan Cake

Chef Jac whipped up her version of the popular Malaysian Cendol. Pandan sponge layers, rice flour jelly, Cendol mixed in coconut Pana cotta and layers of Leche Flan and Pandan cake. It was the perfect way to end the meal. 

This is now officially part of GUEVARRAS menu until February 3 so for those who would want to check out these masterpieces from the chefs, go run to Chef Laudico Guevarra's at 387 P. Guevarra corner Argonne Streets, Addition Hills San Juan City. Their buffet rates only cost PHP 599 per person on weekdays, PHP 699 on weekends and holidays. The experience seeing two chefs from different countries appreciate our produce and cooking it in their style made me want to experience more of these fusions, I can't wait to be there again soon!

Take the trip, I'll be there to celebrate my Sister's birthday a few days from now. Food is good, prepared from scratch, no msg too.

KUMAGCOW
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New Pampanga Food Destination: Chef Laudico's Feast!

I got up early in the morning and covered 2 events, then drove all the way to Clark Pampanga to take a shot of Chef Laudico's Feast, a new brand, a new restaurant under the belt of celebrity power couple Chefs Rolando and Jackie Laudico. They've been raring to branch out and take what success they've had in their Manila based restaurants to the outskirts, particularly this booming location frequented by locals from the north, central Luzon and Metro Manila areas.

Chef Laudico's Feast can sit up to 200-ish people. With some optional seating outside for smoking patrons. I like the bunk chairs with views outside so you can do my favorite activity in the world, people watching.

My personal favorite on the buffet, is this. It's the Belly Lechon. Soft belly meat and thin crispy skin, how can you not love that? Make sure you leave some skin for other patrons because they also need to get that experience, without the use of MSG. It's a trait that they're abiding to, I'll tell you about it later.

US Grade Angus Roast Beef, sliced thinly, with warm gravy, perfection.

They've also got a ton of seafood on the menu, but most probably you'll see Steamed Crabs and Shrimps as it is locally sourced. Only the freshest of course!

They have a dedicated Sushi Counter. It's a permanent fixture on the buffet area. They also prepare Sashimi, small bites that make you say Mmmm...

For Dimsum lovers, you'll love the variety of Siu Mai that they have on the steamer. I came back for seconds of course! But remember, you're tasting lovely food at their best, without MSG.

For those on a cheat day, yes you can have this. It's Lechon Kawali with all the pork goodness in it. It's actually surprising to see that they don't put MSG on it but it still tastes so good. Who doesn't love pork done like this right? Plus imagine their Apple Liver Sauce with hot white rice, I know!

Chef Jackie says "This is how we mind and think about the food we serve, this is like a fiesta and we're bringing it into the malls. We love fiestas and in these occasions, we see people cook from scratch. Here we're going to do the same without MSG, enhancing flavors without shortcuts. We've been doing this since the very beginning and we want to promote that flavor, we work with suppliers to achieve this and promote the fiesta culture by using the freshest ingredients, where everyone is a friend and let people experience that."

Chef Lau adds "This is different, every kitchen is. Our Chef's here are all Kapampangan and we didn't call them the culinary capital for nothing. We're more global than Guevarras here. Everyday there will be Filipino, international and Asian dishes because we have Japanese and Korean patrons too who would like to have our take of their cuisines. We will also be doing a Christmas menu here but it will be different from Guevarras in Manila."

He also mentions "This is a different group, we have local partners so you can expect authenticity in what we'll serve on the table. Our interiors are also works of art from local artists from Angeles, San Fernando and nearby towns.   For us Chefs, we like to cook for people regardless of what most connoisseurs would think. We're expanding and we hope people would appreciate what we please ourselves with, and let them try what we think is good."

He told us "There's no secret, you just have to do it from scratch and never shortchange our customers. It takes a while to perfect things. The reason why we're Chefs is that we genuinely make people happy because of our work, so people get happiness from our food. Aside from Kapampangan's love to eat and commune, we realize that this is a melting pot on it's own. Name a town here, a couple of hours here, and they still go here. I'm so surprised they drive all the way here just for food, and I get touched and also talk to them when we're here."

Here's a view of what to expect in Chef Laudico's Feast! Enjoy!

Chef Laudico's Feast is now a new dining destination when you're in Clark Pampanga. If you want to taste what he's known for in Guevarras or his other restaurants in Manila and don't want to drive all the way there, come to Clark Pampanga (just at the back of SM Clark) and take a lovely meal with family and friends. Thank you Chef Jackie and Chef Laudico for having us! I'm sure you'll get a LOT of people to appreciate what you put on their tables. Imagine a ton of birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations on the dinner table will happen because you've got Chef Laudico's Feast over there! I can't wait to go back soon!

Chef Laudico's Feast is on soft opening right now but you may book reservations through 09063512688 and 09493248382. They are at the Ground Level of BPO 1 SM City Clark and is just right across Radisson Inn Clark, go FEAST all you can!

For more information about their restaurant:

Chef Laudico's Feast

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Visit their official website

https://www.facebook.com/Cheflaudicofeast