‘Around the World in Small Plates’

It was an evening to remember as food lovers enjoyed going around 21 impressive stations for the annual “Around the World in Small Plates” event.

This year, the much-anticipated gastronomic event featured 17 food stations and four drink stations for Belgian beer, coffee, European wines and different gin brands from around the world, all curated by Cyrene de la Rosa.

The Penthouse of 8 Rockwell in Makati City was packed with eager guests for the sold-out event, which was held for the benefit of I Can Serve Foundation, an advocate for the early detection of breast cancer.

Other chefs who participated (though not in these photos) included Tina Legarda of Bamba Bistro and Jason Go of MNL Creamery.

Needless to say, the food served at the event was amazing. Everything was really good. It was surprising how 17 tiny plates could actually make one really full! Some people could not even finish all 17 dishes. I did enjoy all 17 plates with dishes from the UK, France, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the US, Nicaragua, Singapore, Sweden, Spain, Italy, Greece, Macau, Mexico, Morocco and the Philippines.

My favorites included Dedet de la Fuente’s Lechon Macao with the oh-so-delicious labuyo sauce; JP Anglo’s lechon manok with santol, kalabasa and guinamos curry served with ube basmati rice and coconut yoghurt; William Mahi’s signature dish called “The Egg;” Sandy Daza’s simply refreshing Thai green mango salad, Nicco Santos’ beef rendang, Robby Goco’s beef cheeks in bugnay wine (local wine from Ilocos), Josh Boutwood’s dry cured lamb and Ginny de Guzman’s killer dessert, and now my new favorite cake, the Casablanca cake.

I can’t wait for this event again! Too bad it only happens once a year.

(From left) Souv’s Robby Goco with Josh Boutwood, Tilde Cafe’s Ginny de Guzman, 210 Degrees’ William Mahi and Tomatito’s Carlos Franco. Photos by PEPPER TEEHANKEE on a Leica C Digital Camera

(From left) Bar Pintxos’ Miguel Vecin, Wooden Spoon/ Casa Daza’s Sandy Daza, The Pig Pen’s Carlos Garcia Rodriguez and Hyatt City of Dreams Manila’s Chad Ogden.

(From left) Made Nice Supper Club’s Raul Fores, Hey Handsome’s Nicco Santos, Mesclun’s Kat Kuhn-Alcantara and The Test Kitchen’s Josh Boutwood.

Former Sen. Serge Osmeña and wife, ICanServe Foundation’s Bettina Osmeña.

Lexi Schulze Berenguer-Testa and ICanServe Foundation’s Kara Magsanoc Alikpala.

Pepita’s Kitchen’s Dedet de la Fuente with Carlos Garcia Rodriguez and Sarsa’s JP Anglo.

Cyrene de la Rosa and City of Dreams Manila VP for public relations Charisse Chuidian.

Bale Dutung’s Claude Tayag.