Savvier than the Top Chefs. Tougher than the Iron Chefs. On any given day, they can save us from hunger. But they’ll do much more than that. They’ll cook up a storm like you’ve never seen before—one chef and one cuisine at a time.
They are the head chefs of one of Manila’s buffet kingdoms, lording it over at the Circles Event Café of the Makati Shangri-la Hotel. From August 6 to September 9, 2012, they shall be known as Superhero Chefs.
And in a gastronomic showdown to end all showdowns, these highly-trained kitchen mavericks, each possessing special culinary powers and skills, are facing off each night to give the hotel’s picky clientele a different dining experience to live for—or to die for.
And in a gastronomic showdown to end all showdowns, these highly-trained kitchen mavericks, each possessing special culinary powers and skills, are facing off each night to give the hotel’s picky clientele a different dining experience to live for—or to die for.
As a teaser to what the Superhero Chefs will unleash in the banquet halls of the Circles Events Café, they came together last Wednesday for one unforgettable lunch to strut their kitchen prowess.
Each of the chefs’ dishes were judged by two of Manilas’ culinary experts, Lifestyle Asia editor-in-chief Anna Sobrepeñas and Inquirer columnist Micky Fenix, while members of the media were on hand to vote for their favorite chef and dish.
Each of the chefs’ dishes were judged by two of Manilas’ culinary experts, Lifestyle Asia editor-in-chief Anna Sobrepeñas and Inquirer columnist Micky Fenix, while members of the media were on hand to vote for their favorite chef and dish.
And what a face-off it was as each chef flaunted a sampling of the dishes he would unveil each night of the week.
Monday nights: Persian delights
Called the Master of Persian delights, Superhero Chef Hamed “The Hawk” Ghayedi introduced us to the intimate flavors of the Middle East.
He infused elegance into the humble eggplant in his Kashk-e-Bademjan. The eggplant was smoked, mashed and flavored with dried mint, dill, sautéed garlic, shallots and extra virgin olive oil. On the side was a yogurt dip that matched the deep smoky taste of the eggplant and herbs.
Tuesday nights: Italian artistry
The hotel’s executive chef and undisputed leader of the Justice League of the Circles kitchens, Italian chef Franco “Casanova” Brodini showed not just superb skill but restrained artistry in his Porcini Mushroom Ravioli with Sage and Butter.
While his was a simple dish made with less than five ingredients as most Italian dishes have, it was clean, the butter was cooked delicately, elevating the porcini mushrooms from earthy to downright heavenly.
Wednesday nights: Filipino freshness
Of course, the showdown won’t be complete without a Filipino Superhero Chef. And our very own kitchen hulk, Chef Gene “D’Higante” del Prado, did not disappoint.
He married the cuisines of Visayas and Mindanao with his Blue Marlin Inasal with Pako Salad in Fish and Calamansi Vinaigrette. The fish was fleshy and flaky while the calamansi vinaigrette pushed its flavor to a new level of freshness.
Thursday nights: Bollywood spices
Chef Sovan “Bollywood” Singh promises to spice up Thursday dinners with an array of authentic Indian food.
To tease our imagination, he offered his Chole Kulche with Mint Raita, a pappadam (a thin and crispy cracker) spiced with coriander seeds and an Indian flatbread nestled on a bed of curried chickpeas with mint raita on the side.
Friday nights: Japanese 'dampa'
It was a cinch for Friday’s superhero chef who greeted the diners with a “Magandang hapon…ako, Hapon (Japanese).”
On Fridays, Chef Hino “Seefuda” Yusuke vowed to end your weeknights elegantly with the freshest delights of the seas with a “dampa” style of cooking.
He wowed us with his Volcano dish—bits of sliced fresh Norwegian salmon resting on a dollop of sticky rice, with a delicate tartar sauce. Hints of Japanese chili gave it a kick, and topped with roe and caviar, the dish sang with notes of lofty indulgence.
Saturday nights: Meat fest
Meat lovers will rejoice as high-grade steaks, barbecued and grilled meats take center stage on Saturday evenings with Chef Maran “The Prime” Mariapin.
For the superhero lunch, he surprised us with a very tender Oxtail Assam Pedas with Roti Jala and Pineapple Pickle. It was a modern take on a popular dish in Sabah.
The oxtail was fork-tender with an almost melt-in-your-mouth texture and the spiciness was very refined. The pineapple pickle lent the dish an almost dainty sweetness that contrasted well with the manly meaty entrée.
Sunday nights: The final blow
He said they saved the best for last when Makati Shangri-la chose him to cap the week’s showdown. Chef Anthony “The Bruncher” Collar who has been giving us the finest breakfast favorites, indulged us with the final blow.
After everyone had a taste of the superhero dishes, the judging and voting were done. While Ann Sobrepeñas praised each of the dishes, Micky Fenix said that choosing the winning dish was difficult.
Still, in the end, only one superhero chef prevailed—at least for this day.
When the votes were cast and counted, it was the Circles’ Justice League chief, Chef Franco “Casanova” Brodini” who got the most votes with his Porcini Mushroom—and with good reason. The execution of his dish was nothing short of world-class. A mark of his 20 years of culinary experience, honed in kitchens of hotels all over the world.
For those who frequent the Circles Event Café and want something delightfully different from the usual buffet spreads they have, it’s worth it to drop by on the run of the Superhero Chefs showdown at the Makati Shangri-la. You won’t only sample the best that they have to offer but you’ll be in for a surprise treat when you vote for the Superhero Chef of your choice.
Guests who fill out a raffle stub every time they dine here between August 6 and September 9 have a chance to win a lunch or dinner buffet good for 20 persons. –KG, GMA News
However soft and light it was, his Orange Cake with Clotted Cream earned plenty of points for the lightness of the cake flavored with morsels of orange. A chocolate feuilletine with the crunch of wafer bits went well with the cake and the homestyle vanilla ice cream.
After everyone had a taste of the superhero dishes, the judging and voting were done. While Ann Sobrepeñas praised each of the dishes, Micky Fenix said that choosing the winning dish was difficult.
Still, in the end, only one superhero chef prevailed—at least for this day.
When the votes were cast and counted, it was the Circles’ Justice League chief, Chef Franco “Casanova” Brodini” who got the most votes with his Porcini Mushroom—and with good reason. The execution of his dish was nothing short of world-class. A mark of his 20 years of culinary experience, honed in kitchens of hotels all over the world.
For those who frequent the Circles Event Café and want something delightfully different from the usual buffet spreads they have, it’s worth it to drop by on the run of the Superhero Chefs showdown at the Makati Shangri-la. You won’t only sample the best that they have to offer but you’ll be in for a surprise treat when you vote for the Superhero Chef of your choice.
Guests who fill out a raffle stub every time they dine here between August 6 and September 9 have a chance to win a lunch or dinner buffet good for 20 persons. –KG, GMA News
source: gmanetwork.com
