An all-American festival

For its 15th anniversary, The Manor at Camp John Hay (CJH) and the US Department of Agriculture ( USDA) present an American food and wine extravaganza.

This food and beverage festival will take place at The Ma nor every weekend of Se p t emb e r starting Sept. 10. It will feature the dele c t able creations of famed chef Billy

King s uch as USDA steaks, hamburgers, hotdogs, fried chicken and ice cream, which were once the staple fare at Camp John Hay in Baguio.

The event’s wine partners include California’s Beringer, Robert Mondavi Woodbridge, Menage a Trois, and Sutter Homes together with US MEF.

CJH Baguio was the rest and recreational facility for members of the US military since its birth way back in 1903 and was turned over to the Philippine government ( BCDA) in 1991. In 1996, CJH Development Corp. took on the mantle of developing the Camp and converted it into the prime, one- of-a-kind destination that it is today. Two hotels were built in the property (The Manor and The Forest Lodge). The Camp also houses a world- class golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, the CAP convention center, a town center, strip malls, spor t s and recreat ion centers, camping grounds, picnic areas and an eco- trail.

It was a night of good food and great wine when Wine Depot’s Bret t and

Hazel Tolhurst hosted the “Wine Depot Buyer’s Table” at The Peninsula Manila’s Old Manila.

The dinner, which featured Chateau Lascombes, a Second Grand Cru Classe Margaux wine, had Dominique Befve, managing director of Chateau Lascombes, as a special guest. Exe cut ive chef Mike

Werhle prepared terrine de lapin (rabbit terrine), mache salad, candied walnut and croutons for starters. These were followed by the “Old Manila” Boeuf bourguignon wit h summe r vege t able ragout, mashed potato for the main. Dessert was the delicious Malagos chocolate,

pinipig, carabao milk and pili nut.

Guests and buyers sampled Chevalier de Lascombes 2012, Chevalier de Lascombes 2010, Chateau Lascombes 2013, Chateau Lascombes 2010 and Chateau Lascombes 2005.

It was a simple yet wonderful dinner paired with amazing wines that left guests wanting for more.

Beringer wines.

USDA steak.

Menage a Trois wines.

Photos by PEPPER TEEHANKEE on a Canon PowerShot S120 (From left) Ricardo Fernandez, Hazel Tolhurst, Ed Fortunado and Butch Santos.

(From left) Simoun Ung, Brett Tolhurst, Angel Ong and Dom Arguelles.

(Seated) Chateau Lascombes managing director Dominique Befve, Abraham Cordoves and Grand Hyatt Manila’s Daniel Ganser; (standing) Wine Depot’s Brett and Hazel Tolhurst.

Rita Espiritu, Ernest Cu and Robert Cottin.

Brett Tolhurst, The Peninsula Manila executive chef Mike Wehrle and Dominique Befve.

Solaire’s Daniel Blais and wife Cherry.

Linette and Cesar Jimenea Jr.

Jaime Martirez and Enrico Cruz.