Miele Guide Gala

Asia's Best
Originally uploaded by margauxlicious.

The Miele Guide was launched last October 31 at the Grand Hyatt in Singapore. It was a very elegant black tie gala with 350 of Asia's best chefs and restaurateurs in attendance.

Aun Koh, known in our world as chubbyhubby, who created the guide with his wife Tan Su-Lyn (the beloved S), gave a speech to welcome the guests and explain the guide. He was quick to say that the guide may be controversial but as long as people are talking about it, at least we are moving in the direction of making the globe appreciate Asian food and restaurants better.

I was initially seated next to Indonesians but when I spotted Rolando Laudico and wife Jackie I moved tables - I was needing to speak some Filipino again, after a day of speaking in English to other members of the press from other countries (naubos English ko!) haha. It was a wonderful surprise to see so many Filipinos in attendance.

I did not know who the Ate team (comprised of the amazing team of Aun and Su, Pauline, Cheryl, Priscilla, and Chloe) had invited because the "winners" were a "secret" - but it was amazing to see three tables of the Philippines' best. At the table that I moved to were Rolando and Jackie Laudico, Sonya (of Sonya's Garden), Jessie Sincioco, Marivic Diaz-Lim (yay Apartment 1B!), and the wife of Larry Cruz. At another table were Tonyboy Escalante, Vicky Rose Pacheco and Elbert Cuenca. And yet another table, Margarita Fores. I thought Mariela of Kanin Club would be there because I had found out before flying to Singapore that she was going as well but I didn't see her that night, boo hoo.

Of course, being so Pinoy, we had to get a "class picture" taken. So before dessert, because Marivic was flying to the US right after dinner, we all stood up, went to another side of the room and stuffed one guy with all our cameras to take picture after picture of this picture posted here. Turns out the guy is Tonyboy Escalante's brother and a mayor in Negros!

We were so noisy - or maybe I was too conscious - that the emcee had to say, "Will everyone please return to their seats as we are to now continue the program..." Jahe!

As usual, the ever-enthusiastic Pinoys.

Speaking of enthusiastic, the emcee read the Top 25 backwards. When it got to number 11 I think the Filipino chefs were already getting nervous that maybe none of our restaurants made it. The restaurants that were called received polite applause from the audience. But when Antonio's was called - there were cheers (as in "Woohoo!") from the crowd. I think it was also a way to say 'whew!' as much as it was 'woohoo'! I was seated across Mario Miranda of Miele the next day (he's Portugese) and he said, "Wasn't that such a breath of fresh air, when after it was so silent, when Antonio's was called, there were all these cheers?" Natawa na lang ako.

Afterwards, while he was getting congratulations, Tonyboy whispered, "Naku, pressure na naman 'to" But Chef Jessie Sincioco was so gracious and said, "No, he deserves it." And Rolando Laudico added, "As long as he sticks to what he's doing, he'll be ok."

Others who made the list whom I did not see at the gala were Ariel Manuel's Lolo Dads and J Gamboa's Tsukiji and El Cirkulo. The biggest surprise for me was that the list also included Italiannis. It must be the spinach artichoke formaggio!

While dinner was being served, as we browsed through the guide and saw that Iggy's made number one, Chef Laudico called Iggy's and made reservations for the next night. Funny enough, when we got to Iggys, we also saw the Chateau Group and Tonyboy Escalante - guess we all had the same idea!

Anyway, I was just so happy that Singaporeans and other nationalities are now becoming more exposed to the Filipino restaurant scene. If only for that I am grateful to Aun and Su and the Ate team.

Singapore has been very aggressive in making their food one of the highlights of Singapore as a destination. We can do that for the Philippines too - if the guide is right.

I was also very inspired the following day after talking to Mario Miranda - because he actually visits the Philippines every three months and says that the Philippines has very good Spanish food and that the best egg tarts outside of old Portugal that he has tried was in Manila! By some old lady who had a little kiosk in Shang Plaza - but the kiosk has closed - and it's not Lord Stowe's - so now I have to find out who this old lady is - and if she's still alive to try some of those tarts! Any leads, anyone?

Coming from a gathering with a crowd that is just so passionate about food - well, I felt humbled and excited at the same time to explore different cuisines more. These are really exciting times for the food industry and food lovers. And it's just been heaps of fun to be a part of this :-)

*This post is dedicated to franco of tableforthreeplease.blogspot.com :-)