Hong Kong hotel highlights Tsim Sha Tsui’s heritage

WITH a double-digit growth number of Filipinos travelling to Hong Kong in 2017, the Philippines is now the top emerging market for this cosmopolitan city-island. This even as the last couple of years have pointed to Japan as the who have long favored this special administrative region of China.

Just an hour and 30-minutes away from Manila by plane, Filipinos can experience toprated tourist attractions in Hong Kong such as Disneyland, Ocean Park, Victoria Peak, Wong Tai market to name a few. The Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong

Known all over the world as a choice city for luxury shopping, the former British colony is also steeped in culture and history.

Given these, and a keen interest in seeing more growth in tourism, Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel Hong Kong executives paid a visit to Manila to attract more Filipino families and incentive travelers to visit the popular Asian capital.

Located majestically on the waterfront of the urban area of Tsim Sha Tsui East—Kowloon ShangriLa Hong Kong enjoys a perfect location in the heart of the Kowloon - ment and shopping district.

The Star Ferry to Central, the Mass Transit Railway ( MTR), get around Hong Kong, as well as the Cross Harbour Tunnel leading to the Island are all only minutes away from the hotel.

According to the hotel exectives, besides shopping, nightlife, popular places of interest and sound infrastructure for business and leisure, Kowloon and their property has much to offer Hong Kong visitors.

in the reclaimed Tsim Sha Tsui East—Kowloon Shangri-La Hong Kong has pioneered a project unearthing some of the beaten paths and unbeknownst interesting facts - eas for decades and even a century. Apparently, Tsim Sha Tsui is a land of legends brimming with cultural heritage and fascinating stories.

This year, the hotel presents carefully selected examples of Tsim iconic people who have lived in the district for 40 to 70 years via a Cultural Heritage Package available to the Filipino market until the end of the year.

package captures all the sights of the past and present, and some untold stories. The sights on Kowloon peninsula, the primary school attended by kung fu master Bruce Lee and buildings that have received UNESCO awards, to name a few,” Ulf Bremer, general manager of Kowloon ShangriLa Hotel told The ManilaTimes and other members of the press during a media event at Shangri-La Makati.

- veal the Hong Kong the last few decades, and the harmonious blend of different cultures, languages, ethnicities and faiths. The endurance of ancient traditions in its modern spaces has shaped this unique culture,” he said.

The Cultural Heritage Package is priced from HK$3,800 or P24,604 per room per night for two persons in a spacious, elegantly appointed guestroom, with a requirement of minimum two consecutive nights for two persons, including daily buffet breakfast, complimentary use of Horizon Club lounges and Happy Hour; and a three- to four-hour guided walking tour to cultural heritage.

pioneer this project and design a walking tour for our guests as part - ebrations. Not only does this project let us help them uncover Tsim Sha have escaped their eyes during their previous trips to Hong Kong, but also gives us a chance to work with people from different walks of life within the community. We have a common goal to let our visitors, and even locals, get to know the district better and from a different perspective,” Bremer said.

between individuals, families and the community just gets stronger. Only when we did the research - tory and tidbits did we learn of many stories about our city, which we would like to share with our Filipino friends,” he ended.

(From left) Chef Justin Baradas of Restaurant 101, Chef Pierre Cornelis of Vatel Restaurant Manila, Chef Nicolas Cegretin of Mireio, Novotel Manila Araneta Center Marketing Manager Michael Sagaran, Apéro and Duck & Buvette Operations Manager Kevin Hoffert, Ambassador Mathou, Chef Victor Magsaysay of Cav, La Creperie Bonifacio Global City Area Manager Miguel Mejia, Chef Kevin Endaya of Lemuria, Corner Tree owner Chiqui Mabanta, and Dean Angelo Locsin of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management of De La Salle- College of St. Benilde

FILIPINOS will have the chance to enjoy one of Europe’s most famed cuisines via the Goût de France or Good France food event come March 21.

A global campaign organized tee of experts led by Alain Ducasse annually since 2015 by the French based on their proposed tradiMinistry of Foreign Affairs and Intional French menu to be served in ternational Development, Goût de their respective establishments on France is inspired by the concept March 21. The menu is comprised of the following courses: a French Dinners” to serve the same menu aperitif, a cold starter, a hot starter, on the same day in different cities all over the world. French cheese (or cheeseboard),

The celebration aims to pay a dessert, and French wines tribute to the excellence of French and digestives. While the menu cuisine through the values of sharrepresents a traditional meal in ing a meal and respecting the enFrance, the chefs were encourvironment, while also promoting aged to integrate local ingreFrance as a tourist destination. It dients and techniques in the also aims to highlight the distincpreparation of the dishes. tion of French gastronomy as part In the Philippines, eight chefs from nine restaurants have been Heritage List in 2010. selected to take part in this event:

In 2016, chefs and restaurateurs Chef Jacq Tan of Apéro and Duck from all over the world were and Buvette; Chef Victor Magscreened and chosen by a commit- saysay of CAV; Chef Francesca

Vivaneau (Maya Maya) mi- cuit en papillote de feuille de bananier by Chef Victor Magsaysay of Cav

Ginger-infused molten chocolate cake with mango coulis by Chef Pierre Cornelis of Vatel Restaurant Manila Duck terrine with citrus spring vegetables and coriander crumble by Restaurant 101 French Ambassador Thierry Mathou Mabanta of Corner Tree Café; Chef Michael Schauss of Novotel Bautista of La Crêperie; Chef Kevin Endaya of Lemuria; Chef Nico Mirèio; Chef Justin Baradas of and Chef Pierre Cornelis of Hotel

Lentil walnut pate on whole wheat baguettes by Corner Tree Cafe important characteristic: a common love for food and sharing meals. This is what we want to highlight in Goût de France as we celebrate the 70th year anniversary of diplomatic ties between our two countries,” French Ambassador Thierry Mathou said during the media event on March 10 at Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle.

de France in the Philippines for the third consecutive year with this new batch of chefs composed of both French and Filipino chefs who bring our two culinary heritages together,” Ambassador Mathou added.

- lights the presence of culinary training schools –Restaurant 101 of Enderun Colleges and Vatel Restaurant Manila of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

- - France: Feel French!” festival to celebrate the 70th year anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and the Philippines. Beef bourguignon with potato gratin Puff pastry with escargot and smoked duck on cibiatta toast by Vatel Restaurant Manila