One August Moon Festivity

 CEBU, Philippines - The most recent event of the Chaine des Rotissuers, Cebu chapter   was held at the Grand Convention Center to celebrate the August Moon Festival.

Cocktails were served  at the foyer where  Michel Lhuillier, Bailli Delegue, his wife Amparito Llamas Lhuillier, Bailli de Cebu,  restaurateur-host Winglip Chang and his innovative florist wife Pinky  along with members and their guests indulged in champagne, a foretaste of things to come.

The invitees  in their colorful  Chinese-inspired attire and adorned with their ribbons and  medallions graciously  proceeded to the ballroom where a feast  awaited.

The ballroom was dramatically draped in black with minimal green bamboos hanging vertically. Each  table setting was impeccable with dainty centerpieces and cutlery perfectly aligned.  Pinky's creative touch was evident everywhere.

Dinner was nothing short of  spectacular. An army of efficient waiters in unison served the first seated course composed of  roast Peking duck slices and deep fried seafood spring rolls. Soup consisted of double boiled beancurd skin with shiitake mushrooms and conpoy. This was shortly followed by the entrée of stir fried prawns with French beans and nori, pan fried scallops with toasted pine nuts, braised pork and yam wrapped in lotus leaf, soy king noodles  and Angus beef cubes in black pepper sauce.   The individual courses were served with an extraordinary selection of French  wines from  Honorary French Consul Michel Lhuillier's  impressive wine cellar.  

The Ngenius Rhythms led by civic leader Wilson Ng whose passion is playing the flute and pianica  together with his son Myles strumming the guitar and friends: drummer Jeriel Larano, violinist Oscar Silang and Alvin Ibañez on base guitar, provided the  evening's  entertainment with soothing Chinese musical pieces. 

Midway through the gastronomic dinner, eight multi-talented gymnasts, with the youngest all of 5 years old,  performed  wushu, a popular Chinese martial arts   that  conveys  different fighting techniques with accurate and artistic movements. The fabulous  presentation  perfectly suited the esteemed group of fastidious Chaine members. 

At the end of a most enjoyable evening, the board of directors thanked the kitchen and service staff for their excellent performance . Certificates of appreciation were presented to restaurateur par excellence  Wingling Chang,  chef Romy Aragon and his professional team, who  ensured that the evening was one to be  remembered. (FREEMAN)