Food News: Celebrating the Life of Chef Ed Quimson at Naci Comfort Food

In an interview from one of the leading dailies, the late Chef Ed Quimson said it all in one simple line, "food is my life."  And in one special evening, Naci Comfort Food celebrates the life of Chef Ed Quimson with the menu he helped create in a formal media launch. 

The cuisine at Naci Comfort Food reflects Chef Ed Quimson's inventive culinary style, combining traditional favorites with surprising twists, simple yet comforting food with bold flavors. At Naci, you'll find classic dishes reinvented, like Nadine's Adobo Cannelloni, Longganisa with Green Grapes Linguine, and Beef Kaldereta Lasagna. And the Cuchifrito, double-fried pork belly over tinapa fried rice with salted egg salsa. Real comfort food that brings back so many childhood memories.

Naci's owners (L-R) Lovely Rivero, Natasha Villaroman, Nadine Nocom and Tita Em (don't forget to try Tita Em's Clam Chowder at Naci) welcome friends, family and the media to Naci Comfort Food's formal launch, and to celebrate the life of Chef Ed Quimson. A celebration with classic comfort food and friends, just the way Chef Ed would have it.

Betty Gonzalez Quimson (R), mother of the late Chef Ed Quimson, lovingly recalls how Chef Ed, at the young age of nine, almost burned down the family kitchen. Twice.  But nothing would stop the budding young chef from pursuing his passion, and his early kitchen misdaventures as a child would eventually lead him to the kitchens of Europe and later, his own string of popular restaurants. Slow comfort food was Chef Ed's passion, and reinventing classic Filipino dishes with a distinct Spanish and European spin would become his trademark. Then, at the young age of 48, heart complications would eventually take one of Manila's best chefs. But his legacy for good food remains at Naci, with their line of comfort food that bears Chef Ed's touch, simple yet flavorful, made new and different with Chef Ed's innovative twist.

Naci's signature Beef Taco Rolls were served, a familiar deep-fried crispy lumpia with one of Naci's playful spins, stuffed with beef taco filling  topped with fresh tomato salsa drizzled with sour cream. A cool taco in a crisp spring roll.

Samplers of Naci's popular rice bowls were served, including Singaporean Chili Seafood over stir-fried egg rice...

...and Yakimeshi Beef Rice, with tender strips of Sukiyaki beef on Japanese Fried Rice.

Many more signature dishes were served, including Peruvian Chicken Rice, Shrimp Jambalaya, Lengua, Fish Fillet ala Naci, French Baked Pork Shank, and Nadine's Adobo Cannelloni (see my previous post on Naci's bestsellers here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2013/05/coming-home-to-naci.html). But no celebration or meal at Naci is complete without any of their bestselling desserts, including the rich and creamy Panna Cotta...

...and bite-sized versions of their signature cakes, like the Caramel Cream Cake (see my previous post on the Caramel Cream Cake here at http://dude4food.blogspot.com/2011/12/getting-your-sugar-fix-at-naci.html), the Pistachio Sansrival and the Chocolate Ganache Cake.

Slow comfort food still rules, and at Naci, you get exactly that, with a surprising twist. And I'm pretty sure Chef Ed Quimson would approve. Special thanks to business partners and owners Nadine Nocom (L) and Natasha Villaroman (R) for an awesome evening at Naci.

Naci Comfort Food is located at Unit 3, Two Parkade, 7th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City or call 847-6224 for inquiries and reservations. You can also check out their website at www.nacicomfortfood.com.

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