This must be a crazy week for guys right now because Valentines season is just right around the corner. The tons of preparations done for that perfect date and the other things that go with it must be really stressful because you're thinking about what clothes to wear, what restaurant to reserve and perhaps what other things you really need to surprise her.
Well let me tick one thing out of your list and suggest these wonderful chocolates from Villa Del Conte. I've been a fan of this brand since it was introduced to me a few years ago. The chocolate, is superb, but what's interesting is that they kinda surprise me in every packet because sometimes there are almonds, walnuts, fruits, that make this chocolate lovers dream even better. Best of all, it's actually more affordable than those other imported brands you see in department stores even if I consider this already artisanal to begin with. You'll love this Villa Del Conte AMORE Gift Box made by artisans in Padova, Italy. It costs Php880 and for premium chocolates, that's actually cheap.
If you need it, you can buy it off counters at Greenbelt 5 (I go there a lot!), Century City Mall, Shangrila Plaza, Resorts World Manila, Alabang Town Center, SM Megamall and Robinsons Magnolia. You can also call them for bulk orders if you've got a lot of ladies to please! Just search for Villa Del Conte on FB, Instagram and Twitter because all their contact details are all there!
I've been banking with Union Bank for quite a while now. It's been around 13 years if I'm not mistaken and it's been very smooth, very affordable too since most of my online transactions happen with this bank. They were just recognized as THE BEST COMPANY TO WORK FOR in ASIA and had us celebrate with them this evening. (Yes I'm live blogging!).
I like the different booths they have here, pretty much describing their plans for the year. They will also launch a couple of technologies including kiosks that they'll be using with their services, I find that very interesting since they are just in the planning stages. Aside from that, their employees are somewhat involved in charity work. They call this UNIONBANK GOBEYOND and they've helped a lot of people with their GOBEYOND Communities program launched in 2014. Now this isn't funded by the bank, as it is a volunteer program organized and driven by their employees with key programs that want to act on the Environment, Education, Employment & Livelihood, and Inclusion. Isn't that nice? Thanks to the awesome lady who explained things to me earlier, she was really passionately telling me about their cause. They also help kids, their communities too. Their employees also decide on who to help so that is somehow groundbreakingly unique. I guess it's nice to know that banks and their management are not just cold hearted people behind the counter. Apparently in this case, they really care.
Aside from that, they've got a new tie up with GetGo which is a new credit card that actually earns points each time you use it. Pretty nice for those flying regulary on Cebu Pacific flights and shop a lot. It'll be a good thing to have while purchasing gifts and airline tickets especially when they're on sale. The perks are just hard to resist, so you know what to do!
I like fancy meals, but I never imagined it could look like this.
I was invited to a luncheon by the Swiss Embassy a couple of days ago to be in the presence of Anton Mosimann, a world renowned Swiss Chef and officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). I've heard his name a couple of times already (US food shows and news) as he's done countless events for the British Royal Family including the important banquets they've hosted and Royal weddings too. He's not much on TV (though he has some in the Brit networks) but if you ask the who's who of the culinary world, he's up there.
Aside from being in countless successful hotels, he's also responsible for getting 2 Michelin Stars for Dorchester's Restaurant which is a first for a hotel restaurant outside France - plus countless awards to boot.
Switzerland and the Philippines is currently celebrating the 60th year of our diplomatic relations. They're doing several events to mark this momentous occasion and inviting a Chef of his caliber or being part of an audience was such an honor. I actually was excited to meet him in the flesh. Here's what happened on video.
Here's what we had during the afternoon.
Pretty exquisitely served hors d'oeuvres that's got foie gras, savory tarts, parma ham and bread sticks.
My blogger friends, old and new, had several wines paired with the meals and for the good ol amuse-bouche. Had a couple glasses while socializing, our glasses get filled up fast because Marco Polo had pretty good service. It was red and white wine from the Valais region, we knew we had it coming!
Anton Mosimann is known for his bow ties, a different one each time he's working. They gave us one as a souvenir.
It was a huge table, we were about 50 trying to send cheers, personal and non verbal greetings across the hall. Seated were officers, dignitaries from the embassy and people from the Swiss Education Group. For those who don't know, the Swiss is known for having some of the best hospitality schools in the world! The Swiss Education Group is a network for these world class institutions and universities done by world class educators.
Now if you've wanted to study with the best, maybe you should consider going the mile literally and check out courses at http://www.swisseducation.com. They've got the best educational systems, a mix of practical and theoretical applications that have already been able to produce some of the best culinary professionals the world over. Aside from that, Anton Mosimann had this huge library of cook books, references, tons of stuff you would have never seen but he chose to share it with the public... to the industry that he loves so they planned to put these things in one place and properly called it "The Mosimann Collection". It's now housed at the César Ritz Colleges Switzerland campus in Le Bouveret, in the Swiss canton (like a state in the US) of Valais. If you plan to do your studies there, take a look at what they could offer you. I mean the best Chef already has all his things there, so just imagine the possibilities.
Now of course we had our lunch. This is what we had!
Marinated Salmon with Dorset Crab, Spring Onion, Lemon Dressing. It had the right amount of acidity, the salmon and crab was so fresh that it actually tasted sweet. It was divine!
They came as legit as they can be. This is Chef Anton's Risotto ai Funghi, a popular dish that he cooks for the royalty. Damn good. Pardon the words, but it was really that good. The seared fillet of lamb with Rosemary sauce and market vegetables was also served, but didn't get to the photos. It was gone in 5 minutes LOL! Speaking of which!
This is the Passion Fruit Souffle and Yoghurt Ice Cream. I like how the hot and tangy souffle fights with the sweet yoghurt. It was fruity, and the smell permeates to your nose when you take a scoop out of the ramekin.
We ended the meal with brewed coffee, tea and some really guiltless Petit Fours. How can you not love something that looks like this no?
Thanks to Chef Anton Mosimann, OBE, DL, Frank Reichenbach General Manager of Marco Polo Ortigas Manila and his team of Filipino chefs who made it possible to put these lovely items on our plates. It wasn't just like introducing his skills as a Chef, but more of telling us the standard that they have and how the most simplest ingredients become a little more magical in Swiss hands. I must say, I am impressed, I am but honored to be in the presence of a great man who did a lot for his country and his profession.
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the Swiss Embassy, HE Ambassador Andrea Reichlin for having us (and personally saying hi!), to the always gracious Deputy head of Mission Mr. Raoul Imbach, Mr. Herve Findeisen from the Swiss Education Group (whom we met there) and of course everyone who made it possible for us to have the opportunity to be with THE Anton Mosimann in the Philippines and Marco Polo Ortigas. Thank you!
For more information about their activities this year:
We went to the Converse headquarters in the Philippines to learn about good news. A few days ago, some of the candidates for the Miss Universe competition held in Manila took time off their busy schedules to do a little crafting, using a few tools to make their own dream converse shoes. These shoes were all base canvass and to make it worth their time, the people from Converse Philippines would actually be holding an online silent auction to benefit their chosen charities "Positive Action Foundation". Selling these shoes must have been heartbreaking for the them because after all, it's a one of a kind thing and Miss Universe doesn't happen every year in this part of the world.
Here's the collection on video, enjoy!
This will benefit HIV/AIDS patients under the foundation's care and hopefully, they'll be better. Check out Converse Philippines' Facebook page on the next dates of exhibits.
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