Oh, what fun at Crimson!
I recently traveled to Indonesia simply by crossing over to one island. Crimson Resort and Spa was the pilot for this flight, as it took selected friends from Hong Kong and Cebu media outlets to a journey of Balinese cuisine at the resort’s Saffron Cafe.
Authenticity of the food for this event could not be more guaranteed by the presence of three top-level chefs, who did actually travel from Indonesia to Cebu just for this event. Crimson partnered with Indonesian hotel management firm Archipelago International to bring three executive chefs here, including Denny Frederick, who oversees no less than 70 properties in the Indonesian archipelago. Chef Desak Ketut Darmayanti of Kamuela Sanur and I Komang Aryana of Aston Denpasar were also in Crimson’s kitchen for the three-day culinary event. The three are accustomed to preparing the best of Indonesian cuisine for their many international guests to experience at their respective properties.
Balinese food has many similarities to Filipino food, but with a stronger hand in the spices. My tongue was on fire after sampling a few of the dishes with little red chilies whose color should have been warning enough. Despite my nose beginning to run from the heat, the flavors had me so intrigued I still took several bites. The milder but no less flavorful nasi goreng and chicken satay balanced things out. I found relief from the burn in the desserts, most of which were rice and coconut based much like Filipino ones, except we don’t have fun pink pancakes like the Indonesian Dadar Gulung!
Soon after the Balinese food fest, which I hope won’t be the last, it was time for the resort to light up its Christmas tree for the holidays. Themed Oh, What Fun, the tree lighting event included an enchanting performance of Alice in Wonderland by the Ballet Center of Cebu, directed by Nicholas Pacaña. Lighting the Christmas tree this year were LapuLapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, City Tourism Officer Hembler Mendoza, hotel general manager Didier Belmonte and director of sales and marketing Joan Castillo. The 22-foot-tall Christmas tree is unique from others with its Filipino decor of bamboo ornaments and native details, fitting of a resort that has always been proud to be Filipino owned.
Stop by the resort and make your heart as full as your belly with Crimson’s community program. To match the festive and generous mood of the season, guests are encouraged to buy the special gingerbread house available over the holidays. Proceeds from the edible houses will go towards fulfilling the simple Christmas wishes of students from Soong Elementary School and Don Vicente Rama Memorial National High School. It’s not too late at all to support the cause, as this program under the Grant a Wish campaign runs until Jan. 3.