A master chef visits Manila

Michelin-star chef Christian Tetedoie came to town upon the invitation of one of the country’s top culinary schools, the Center for Culinary Arts (CCA) Manila.

The highly acclaimed French master recently graced a media event where it was announced that he would give an introductory class to the first batch of the CCA-Institut Culinaire Disciples Escoffier (ICDE) students. Pilot classes will begin in September at the new CCA Manila campus located at 139 H.V. dela Costa Street, Salcedo Village in Makati City.

Joining Chef Christian in his two-day visit were Benjamin Grenier, the chief operating officer of ICDE, and French chef instructor Bruno Tirel.

One of the most talented chefs of his generation, Chef Christian, a native of Lyon, France, has been a visiting guest master chef at the ICDE since the school opened its doors in Hong Kong.

Named Best Apprentice of France at age 17, the visiting chef trained with a number of great chefs including the legendary Paul Bocuse and Georges Blanc. Chef Christian is a recipient of numerous distinctions, two of which are the highly prestigious Meilleur Ouvrier de France in 1996 and a Michelin star in 2000. Now heading several restaurants in Lyon, including the flagship Têtedoie, Chef Christian is also the current president of the Association of French Master Chefs Worldwide (Maîtres Cuisiniers de France), an invitation-only and highly prestigious association.

At the launch, Chef Christian gave guests an opportunity to witness his cooking techniques. Guests were also able to sample his French dish creations such as pan-seared duck foie gras with raspberry sauce and scallops with porcini mushroom and curry cream sauce during a live cooking demonstration at the CCA-USDA Kitchen Theater.

These activities were followed by a lunch feast prepared by Chef Christian and Chef Bruno with CCA chef instructors. The French repertoire featured traditional, authentic French cuisine, which included baked back of salmon with braised fennel in white wine and fish caviar sauce as starter; beef tenderloin strips Rossini-style with fresh duck foie gras black truffle and port wine sauce, roasted potatoes and French bean for the entree; and caramelized upside-down fresh mango tarte tatin with fresh vanilla pod custard for dessert.

That same night, a dinner was held for Chef Christian with his friends, chefs William Mahi and Cyrille Soenen.  A Filipino dinner was cooked by chef Sau del Rosario.

CCA business development and PR director Liza Hernandez-Morales said, “We are extremely honored and pleased to have the presence of chef Christian Tetedoie in this occasion. It’s not every day that you get to celebrate and interact with a Michelin-star French master.”

A groundbreaking partnership was signed between the CCA Manila and the Institut Culinaire Disciples Escoffier of Hong Kong. Escoffier will be bringing in acclaimed French master chefs including chef Robert Fontana and ICDE director chef Vincent Leroux to lead the flagship CCA-ICDE culinary program in the Philippines. The master chef-instructors will handle the culinary classes and programs related to French cuisine, starting with the Disciples Escoffier Diploma in Culinary Arts, a six-month program that could be expanded with shorter courses in French cuisine for amateurs and professionals. The collaboration is also expected to include French pastry courses in the coming months.

Grenier added, “We look forward to training and inspiring new culinary talents in the Philippines. As Auguste Escoffier used to say, good food is the foundation of genuine happiness and we strive to share our passion for French gastronomy.”

Founded in Hong Kong in 2014 by Robert Fontana, chairman of Disciples Escoffier Asia, ICDE is affiliated with “Disciples Escoffier International,” a France-based non-profit organization that has more than 25,000 members in 26 countries, counting some of the world’s most respected chefs as members.

Fontana said, “Right now, we are starting the program in the Philippines little by little, but we are expecting to gain ground in the next months. We expect more students by the second session, which is happening January next year. Applicants don’t have to have basic skills, what’s important is that as upcoming Escoffier students, they must possess the interest and passion for cooking and willingness to learn.”

(Enrollment for the CCA-ICDE Escoffier French Cuisine course program is now ongoing. For inquiries, call 218-8566, e-mail [email protected] or visit cca-manila.edu.ph.)

Discover your scent

Jo Malone London Global Lifestyle director Debbie Wild.

Estée Lauder Companies recently hosted an exclusive press preview of Jo Malone’s latest fragrance — Basil & Neroli.

Born through a collaboration between fragrance director Celine Roux and master perfumer Anne Flipo, Basil & Neroli is made to celebrate the collaborators’ heritage and to “create a fragrance anchored in London’s vibrant spirit and inspired by botanical gardens and leafy squares hidden within the urban spaces.”

Members of the media and bloggers had a chance to experience “A London Lark.” Lark is a very British expression for having a carefree mini-adventure and so guests were treated to a full British adventure.

Guests were welcomed by a mini-garden path of fresh basil and neroli trees. The main room was dressed with multiple screens showing the Basil & Neroli campaign film and imagery, which represent Jo Malone London’s sense of fun and exploration. Aside from badge-making activities, a Fragrance Arc was also available for guests to discover their own bespoke scent.

Jo Malone London brand manager Camille Flores-Oloan welcomed back Jo Malone London Global Lifestyle director Debbie Wild.

Debbie gave an in-depth discussion about the brand’s latest innovation in scent. She also introduced the new fragrance to the guests and gave quick tips  about finding what scent blends would suit the Basil & Neroli combination.

(This new scent will be  exclusively available at Jo Malone London Greenbelt 5, SM Aura and Rustan’s Shangri-La starting September 2016.)

Enjoying the best in life

(From left) AXA Philippines segment director for wealth management Tony Isidro, chief distribution officer Marie Raymundo, brand ambassadors Ramon Rufino and Anna Palayab-Rufino, president and CEO Rahul Hora, brand ambassadors Jeannie Javelosa and Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta, chief transformation officer John Hilson, director of sales and marketing Roger Kelly and chief marketing and customer experience officer Amor Balagtas.

Following the launch of its first premium health solution Global Health Access (GHA), AXA Philippines unveils its set of globetrotting product champions, who all believe that having access to world-class health protection is key to enjoying the best that life has to offer wherever they may be.

Global Health Access is a worldwide comprehensive health coverage plan that is designed to address the needs of individuals and can be used in any country they choose, whenever it is convenient for them. The annual coverage is up to P100-million and access to top hospitals, medical practitioners, emergency responders and round-the-clock medical advise across the globe.

AXA recently introduced its new brand ambassadors, including empowerment advocate and Allure’s Jeannie Javelosa; one of the Philippines’ finest poets Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta; Net Group’s Raymond Rufino and his wife, dermatologist Anna Palabyab-Rufino.

Three things make the new AXA ambassadors distinct. First, their relentless pursuit of things that give their professional and personal lives meaning. Second, their need to go beyond the confines of an office to make the whole world their own work and play space. And third, a genuine love for the best things life can offer.

AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora said, “We are glad to have Mookie, Jeannie, Raymond and Anna onboard, because they represent our ideals. In today’s busy and stressful world, we often work hard to leave a grand legacy for our loved ones, so that they get to enjoy the best in life. But getting and expecting the best in life shouldn’t be limited to just business or leisure — it should also include the best healthcare available.”

(For more information, visit www.axa.com.ph/health-protection/global-health-access.)

Lipstick fest

Alaiza Malinao.

A lip product’s transformative power encompasses many layers of a woman’s outlook in life. Be it a confidence boost or an artful expression, a swipe of the lip can harness a presence that helps empower the modern Filipina. Makeup has changed the scene in events and social gatherings, usually having the bold lip as the public’s primary focus.

SM Beauty realizes this movement and kicked off the season with its second annual #SMLipstickFest in celebration of International Lipstick Day.

Women discovered that nudes and pinks work best for chill weekends and classic looks. Red and purple shades are for those days that you need to own the room and make a statement. And, of course, the wild colors such as blue and black are for days that you are feeling a bit bold and rebellious.

To help shoppers appreciate the many wonders of lipstick, SM Beauty offers free “Makeover & Lip-Art Service” this month. Using products available in the store, SM’s expert beauty associates will assist customers in harnessing the transformative power of lipstick!

Join SM in the celebration! SM opens its doors to shoppers to experience lots of discounts, freebies and promotional offers from all participating brands until Sept. 28!

(For more information, visit www.facebook.com/smbeautyph or @smbeautyph on Instagram.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)