A hashtag-worthy food festival in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - Food, one of the main components of the Filipino lifestyle, was the focus of a sumptuous event held recently at the burgeoning central business district of Makati.

Dubbed “Valero Eat Street,” the food festival was organized by Robinsons Luxuria and its retail partner, Mothership F&B Enterprise. Held at the atrium of Robinsons Luxuria’s Signa Designer Residences, the one-of-a-kind event featured an exclusive selection of gourmet dishes which residents and their guests were able to partake of right outside their signature homes.

Signa Designer Residences is an iconic condominium enclave located along Valero corner Rufino Streets in Salcedo Village — now slowly being transformed into the metro’s newest gastronomic hub. Here food lovers find restaurants like Sabao, Baits and Sprout, presenting signature menus to satisfy the refined tastes of both residents and seasoned urbanites.

Sabao, which translates as “broth” or “soup,” whips dishes to perfection with the use of fresh ingredients. The restaurant has also come up with its own rendition of all-time favorite Filipino dishes like sinigang, binakol and tinola.

Baits, meanwhile, wows gourmet enthusiasts with its unique “New England-meets-hip-San Francisco” vibe and a menu that changes according to the choice ingredients of the season.

Finally, Sprout is a food-on-the-go restaurant that offers a convenient, healthy and delicious alternative to fast-food favorites.

Although the upscale condominium’s grounds have become a centerpiece culinary attraction with each menu being offered at these signature restaurants, Robinsons Luxuria understands that there is more to be explored in the Philippines’ evolving food scene. During the event, food finds from all over Metro Manila popularized in social media were brought to Valero Eat Street to give way to a one-of-a-kind culinary adventure.

“The event is also a way to fit the uncompromising tastes of Makati foodies who want to try some of the most sought-after gastronomic creations right here in Makati and within the comforts of their own home,” explained May Precilla, VP for sales and marketing of Robinsons Luxuria.

The street food festival gathered restaurants and patisseries with a high following from the famous food streets of Manila like Parañaque and Kapitolyo. “We wanted this to be a unique and pleasant food experience. So we featured a mix of both new and already-famous establishments recommended by social media bloggers and friends,” said  Samantha Zaragosa from Ampersand Collective, the event’s PR and marketing agency which also helped select the artisan restaurants participating in the event.

Signature dishes, snacks and desserts have been prepared exclusively for the event. “For Baits, I prepared dishes that are simple and well-loved to match the laid-back, street food theme,” explains Joseph Margate, head chef at Baits. “These include fresh oysters, ceviche and corn-on-the-cob with special condiments, among others.”

Now also making a mark in the Makati CBD are Sweet Ecstasy, Pizza Morena, Elbert’s Sandwiches, Chilli Asylum, Empanada MAS, Cool Beans Hummus, Bucky’s Not a Brownie, Bald Baker, Scarsdale, Caramilk, Sugar Babies Desserts, Liq My Stick, Global Beer Exchange, AWC Philippines, Diageo and Red Light. Sabao and Sprout also prepared special menus for the event.

“Valero Eat Street” gives participants an opportunity to introduce their gourmet creations in the epicurean locale of Makati. “Events like these let patisseries like us bring something new to the discerning palette of Makati residents and professionals,” remarks Macy Pipat from Scarsdale, who came all the way from their lone branch in Tondo, Manila.

Interactive and casual cooking workshops were led by culinary personalities Erwan Heussaff (“The Fat Kid Inside” blogger) and Sabrina Artadi of Sabrina’s Kitchen.

A food photography session was held by Ben Chan from Blacksheep Photography; netizens learned the secrets of taking hashtag-worthy food shots for their social media blogs. Designed for people of all ages, the event featured a special McCormick Kid’s Area where kids could literally play with their food while their parents visited the booths.

With a sampling of the latest gourmet recommendations normally found outside the city, the “Valero Eat Street” foodie market is one of the signature experiences brought right to the doorstep of Signa Designer Residences, giving its residents and the city’s highly accomplished urbanites a genuine taste of the high life.

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Visit the Signa Designer Residences website at www.robinsonsluxuria.com or call 0925-8888888.