Winford on Wheels: Pinoy comfort food goes luxe
In July, Winford Mani l a Resort & Casino ( Winford) launched an exciting new dining concept whi ch wa s dubbed Winford on Wheels. Essentially a food delivery- cumcatering service that serves up home - cooked- s t yle r ice toppings, its primary target market is corporate groups and employees of 20 people or more looking for variations on their usual canteen meals or packed lunches, but avoid eating out during the pandemic.
The offer is a simple one, suc c i nc t l y summe d up a s “luxur y hotel comfor t food at an affordable price,” and is clearly ref lected by a friendly neighborhood rate of only PHP180 nett per order. To get the wheels turning, Winford’s management turned to the masterful culinary chops of its
F& B department, whose dishes often receive high praise from both discerning guests and public figures alike.
By tapping the expertise of Chef Fatima “Patty” Libre, Winford’s chef de partie, the casino hotel succeeded in reinventing one aspect of its business, and did so during uncertain times, no less, while patiently awaiting the green light to reopen from health authorities.
“The idea for Winford on Wheels was first inspired by the many inquiries we received from our regular patrons asking if we offer a food delivery service after they found themselves stuck at home when the enhanced community quarantine was implemented,” explains Jeff Evora, Winford president and chief operating officer.
“Apparently, they had been
longing for some of the dishes we cook up at Winford and so in a way, this is actually their brainchild. From there, the concept evolved further and we felt a need to also serve other markets, such as a variety of tasty dishes for different corporate offices and various employees. Based on these insights, we proceeded to craft a menu that would appeal to all segments,” added Evora.
Winford on Wheels’ initial offerings consist of Filipino favorites such as Crispy Pork Binagoongan with Mang ga, Lechon Kawali with Ensaladang Mangga, Chicken Adobo Confit with Hard- boiled Egg, and Escabeche Bangus Belly. Popular international dishes like Beef Stroganoff, Garlic Pepper with Mushroom Gravy, Pineapple Pork Humba, Chicken Schnitzel with Coleslaw, Fish Fillet with Tartar sauce, and Roast Pork Pepper Mushroom sauce complete the lineup of mouthwatering cuisine delivered from Winford’s kitchen straight to your front door.
To usher in the so- called ‘ ber ’ mont h s , a Wi n f o r d Merienda of the Month was introduced in September, taking the form of popular Filipino holiday snack, Bibingka. For only PHP660 nett on top of the minimum order, anybody within Metro Manila can enjoy the convenience and comforting f lavors of one dozen freshly baked Bibingka, delivered straight to their door.
“Our lineup of dishes was designed to re- establish Filipino cuisine as comfort food in a simple and deconstructed way,” explains Chef Patty. “In this new normal, we understand that we must take our game to the next level. Nowadays, cooking good food is only half the job. The health and wellness of our customers are our top priority, so it is our responsibility to ensure that our staff always practices good hygiene, our surroundings are sanitized at all times, and only Winford personnel are authorized to make food deliveries.”
To place an order, interested parties may call the Winford hotline at ( 02) 8528 3600, or send a text message to 0917 878 8670 or 0917 872 8583. Delivery is available within Metro Manila provided orders are placed two ( 2) days before the desired delivery date.