(co-written with Karen Gatdula)
The Confrerie marked the start of the
holiday season last November 12, 2011 with another gastronomic adventure, this
time in Tagaytay, just two hours out of Manila.
Not only was this event dished for personal serving but was also an
opportunity to share the blessings of its members with the community by
launching its 4th Supplemental Feeding Program.
The Chaine
and confreres Jonny and Milette Carlos sponsored the program, providing the
adopted Barangay of Iruhin Central with a daily glass of milk and a hot meal
for the next six months. It is hoped
that by training the resident mothers, they will finish the program equipped
with the skills necessary to provide and sustain the dietary needs of their
families. The launch was attended with
much enthusiasm from the barangay residents and their children, several members
of the Confrerie led by Bailli de Manille Federico Borromeo, and barangay and
local officials.
The Confrerie then proceeded to a well-deserved
lunch at Kalamunda Restaurant, found through winding interior roads at the
border of Silang and Tagaytay. The
restaurant is actually the residence of Carlos and Sylvia Miguel who opened up
their home for private lunches and dinners by appointment.
Passing through the gates of Kalamunda, one
is greeted by an airy terraced home, extensive greenery peppered by sheep and
goats at a distance, and a warm welcoming handshake from Carlos Miguel. Even with boisterous laughter from children
and adults alike, a peaceful spell is still cast upon the place.
The residence’s cook is the equally
charming and engaging Sylvia Miguel, who took charge of preparing the sumptuous
buffet starting with a sampling of her Duck and Chicken Liver Parfait
accompanied by Melba Toasts. It was just perfect to whet everyone’s appetite
for the lunch to come, which was composed of a Salad of Mixed Greens, Blue
Cheese and Pear with mustard seed dressing, Chicken with Herb de Provence and
Mushrooms, Mixed Seafood Pudding, Slow-Braised U.S. Beef Belly that was just
melt-in-your-mouth goodness, Sylvia’s pride that is the Roasted Vegetable
Paella (and rightly so), and the centerpiece of that occasion, the organic
milk-and-corn-fed Lechon, for which Kalamunda is steadily being known for. Capping the feast was a creamy and light
Pavlova and the delectable Chocolate Natilla with almond praline. It was indeed a perfect lunch for a perfectly
sunny day.
The meal did not end without the group’s
thanks given to Carlos and Sylvia for the unforgettable spread, and to confrere
Charlie and Chinit Rufino who organized it.
Shortly, thereafter, the Confrerie departed
for Sisters of Mary Girlstown at Bario Biga Silang, Cavite. This is managed by Fr. Al’s Children
Foundation, Inc. (FACFI) which was established in November 26, 1992 after Msgr.
Aloysius Schwartz, founder of the Sisters of Mary congregation, passed away. It
is the foundation’s aim to assist in the charity programs of the Sisters of
Mary’s Boystowns and Girlstowns. These
are actually schools wherein the congregation provides not only secondary
education with technical/vocational training to underprivileged children from
all over the country, but also food, clothing, shelter and medical services for free. Thus, the foundation is very much dependent
on donations and sponsorships from generous patrons, of which the Confrerie was
one of them.
After the students regaled the Confrerie
with performance pieces from their orchestra of bells, and were given a
sampling of their culinary delights, the group once again traveled back towards
Tagaytay for a more relaxed gathering at the Discovery Country Suites for the
Confrerie’s “B.Y.O.B. Afternoon Cocktails”.
The menu was meticulously planned by Maitre
Hotelier Bobby Horrigan and Maitre Rotisseur David Pardo de Ayala. The small plates passed around were a wide
assortment of canapés, crostini and empanaditas, and there was the delicate Creamy
Smoked Salmon Maccheroni. However, it must be said that the Fresh-Shucked
Oysters with Ginger-Shallot Granita and Oysters Fricassee with Caviar Cream was
simply unforgettable.
No comments:
Post a Comment