Jiji Gullas, Dennis and Tessa Valdes

MANILA, Philippines — A pending the holidays with my family made me fall in love with food on a whole new level! My mom is diabetic and is undergoing dialysis treatment twice a week. She follows a strict diet but she’s learned to be creative. My 16 year old niece is now the queen of the kitchen as she experiments with certain dishes driven by her passion for anything that excites her palate.

As a single-independent-urbanite in Metro Manila, I got so used to dining out or ordering take-out. I have been doing this for the last 15 years.

The first and last time I used a stove was in Milan last year when I was forced to cook for my friend and myself because of economic reasons. Dining out in Europe everyday is not healthy for the purse. But that was an “AHA! moment” for me. When my French friend Vladimir told me that my steak and pasta were done in the way he prefers it, I knew then that given the right ingredients, I can always unleash the foodie in me.

This year, I will learn how to be a master of my own kitchen! I will not only taste and dine like a foodie, I will cook like a foodie too!

A Paparazzi dinner

One of the most unforgettable dinners I had before the holidays was with a paparazzi... I mean at the Paparazzi  restaurant in Edsa Shangri-La, Manila. BestWorld Beverage Brands, Inc. and Casa Vinicola Zonin, hosted a six-course dinner featuring contemporary Italian cuisine from the hotel’s new chef de cuisine Roberto Cimmino.

The dinner featured six wines from Casa Vinicola Zonin, the largest and one of the oldest privately owned vineyard and winemaking estates in Italy.  Principal and wine ambassador Lorenzo Zonin, welcomed guests during cocktails at e’s Bar and talked extensively about each wine throughout the course of dinner.

Zonin is both a certified sommelier and engineer, having passed a rigorous state exam in Padova, Italy in 2001.  He also holds a Master in Wine Management O.I.V., focusing on winemaking, wine marketing specialization and biodynamic agriculture.

The Zonin Prosecco Special Cuvee Brut has an attractively intense, aromatic and fruity aroma. Very well balanced and appealing, the extremely delicate almond note matched perfectly with the canapés.

The delicately fruit, relatively full and refined Zonin Pinot Grigio Friuli paired well with the first course: Hudson Valley Duck Carpaccio served with marinated beets, apple, haricot verts, golden almond and honey citrus vinaigrette.

Second, the Tasmanian Salmon served with melted onion, sweet corn fricassee and black truffle emulsion was paired with Principi di Butera’s Surya Insolia Chardonnay that has straw yellow color with slight golden hues.

This was followed by Braised Pork with vanilla yam puree, sun dried cherry tomatoes, toasted hazelnut and spiced jus, complementing the Ripasso Valpolicella’s harmonious balance, great strength and sturdy body.

The elegant, well-balanced and velvety texture of Castello d’ Albola Chianti Classico was a perfect accompaniment to the Aromatic Roasted Lamb Loin with crispy polenta fritter, Italian peperonata and garlic in eggplant puree and red wine lamb jus.

For the finale, the guests indulged in Warm Apricot Almond Tart with Toasted Almonds, Caramelized Honey and Ginger Ice Cream paired with Castello del Poggio Moscato d’ Asti, an excellent dessert wine that has golden reflections and a delicate mousse.

Thank you Paparazzi and Lorenzo for an evening of great food and wine... a perfect slice of la dolce vita!

Shining, shimmering. splendid

One of the most glittering nights I enjoyed most in 2011 was the Crystal Ball hosted by my dear friend Eva Gullas in celebration of Zee Lifestyle magazine’s 15th year anniversary.

Radisson Blu Hotel in Cebu was filled with Cebu, Davao and Manila’s crème dela crème. Amparito Lhuillier came in a stunning beaded gown designed by her daughter Monique Lhuillier, who incidentally is in town preparing for the opening of her store at Greenbelt 5.

Margie Lhuillier was looking younger than ever in her emerald green gown designed by Cary Santiago.  I was seated next to her son Chris, Cebu’s most eligible bachelor and daughter Claudine who said that this is the only social event in Cebu that she obliged to attend.

I was so happy to see my dear friends Abe Florendo, Wig Tysman and Tessa Prieto-Valdez who all flew-in to Cebu to celebrate with Zee.

Cheers to more glittering evenings in 2012!