Food News: Top Ten Semi-Finalists for Bord Bia's East Meets West Culinary Competition Revealed

And then there were ten. From over a hundred entries in Bord Bia's East Meets West Culinary Competition, ten semi-finalists have been selected to advance to the final round... 

Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, recently announced the ten semi-finalists who will advance to the final round of the East Meets West Culinary Competition where five winners will embark on a memorable culinary tour of Ireland as well as other prizes (for more on the culinary competition by Bord Bia, see my earlier post, Food News: East Meets West in a Culinary Competition by the Irish Food Board). The competition included a wide range of entries, from professionals to home chefs and even bloggers and influencers who showcased their specialty beef and pork dishes. The competition also highlighted the versatility and premium quality of Irish pork and beef in the winning dishes. Read on for the list of semi-finalists who may be on their way to the famed Emerald Isle...

Dining in the Next Normal: An All Bangus Feast Delivered by LA Boneless Bangus

Bonuan Boneless Shanghai, Bonuan Boneless Belly, Bonuan Boneless Relleno, Bonuan Boneless Daing and Bonuan Boneless Tinapa, pick your fresh catch...

LA³ Boneless Bangus brings its fresh catch of the day to your dining table with regular deliveries around the metro. Whether your cravings call for Bonuan Boneless Shanghai or crispy fried spring rolls, indulgent Bonuan Boneless Belly, sumptuous Bonuan Boneless Relleno, the classic Bonuan Boneless Daing and the smoky Bonuan Boneless Tinapa, LA³ Boneless Bangus will have it packed frozen and chilled, sealed and delivered to your doorstep...

Dining in the Next Normal: A Taste of Spain Delivered to Your Doorstep by Cocinalo.PH

Stuck at home for another day in the quarantine? Let your palate take you on a culinary journey of Spain with the authentic Spanish offerings of Cocinalo.PH... 

Escape to sunny Spain with authentic flavors like comforting croquetas and slow-cooked Belarria Saltsan created by Basque Chef Mikel Martija of Cocinalo.PH without leaving the safety and comfort of home. Best enjoyed fresh off the stove, oven or pan, each specialty dish is conveniently delivered ready-to-fry and heat so you can enjoy all the richness at its flavorful peak. Read on for a taste of comida made con mucho cariño from Cocinalo.PH...

Dining in the Next Normal: Mediterranean Flavors Continue to Shine at Discovery Primea's Restaurant Tapenade

The new normal continues to make sweeping changes in our daily routine, and dining out is transformed with health and safety protocols due to the lingering threat of the viral pandemic. This is how it will be for the rest of the year, with social distancing each step of the way. But the bright flavors of the Mediterranean still shine in the metro, if you know where to find it. 

Restaurant Tapenade of Discovery Primea reopens to the public, geared for the new normal defining the dining out experience for 2020. And vibrant Mediterranean flavors continue to shine bright in the new normal at Restaurant Tapenade...

Dining in the Next Normal: You've Had Your Sushi Bake, But Have You Tried the 1621 Sushi Pizza?

The impact of the quarantine experience will be felt for years as we all slowly adapt and transform to the new normal. The rise of the food delivery culture and dining at home are just some of the evolving consumer habits that define the new normal, but we've also seen some creative and innovative spins for unique home dining options...  

One of the enduring trends from the quarantine experience is the popular sushi bake that's still causing quite a stir on social media. But it's now time to move on and experience yet another culinary innovation with the inventive 1621 Sushi Pizza...

Dining in the Next Normal: The Nostalgia Lounge & Bar Elevates Your Favorite Local Noodles with the Lavish Signature Pancit

Inventive innovations continue to flourish in the new normal as The Nostalgia Lounge & Bar upgrades your favorite local noodle dish with an indulgent and elegant spin...

The Nostalgia Lounge & Bar of Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila transforms a popular and familiar noodle dish with the Signature Pancit, a luxurious reinterpretation with succulent prawns, scallops, mahi-mahi, salmon, squid and barbecued pork for a new flavor experience in celebration of its 11th Anniversary. Read on for a closer look at the new Signature Pancit...

Dining in the Next Normal: The Passion for Baking Experienced with Every Slice by Otter Breads

Like life's pause button, the quarantine experience allowed a lucky few to rediscover their passion for baking as more home-based food businesses emerge in the wake of a pandemic. It's a story that's becoming a recurring narrative in the new normal presenting a tempting array of tasty options conveniently delivered to your doorstep...

The passionate craft of the blossoming sourdough culture is alive and well in the city, with small artisan batches made and dispatched on the net and social media. At the height of the pandemic, we've seen a solid sourdough movement emerge as home bakers test their skills with this specialty bread. And when two friends couldn't find good bread readily available during the lockdown, they decided to make their own. The passionate bakers behind Otter Breads are guided by their brand manifesto, artisan-style sourdough breads made accessible and available to the Filipino market. The result? Some of the best artisan sourdough bread available in the city. And they deliver too. Read on and find out more on Otter Breads...

Dining in the Next Normal: AT HOME Spanish Signatures Delivered to Your Doorstep from Gallery by Chele

Dining at home and the food delivery culture continues to define the new normal as more and more establishments adapt to changing consumer habits due to the pandemic. And if you've missed the authentic Spanish cuisine of Chele Gonzalez, you'll be glad to know that you can enjoy his sumptuous dishes once more without leaving the comfort and safety of your home...  

Authenticity, signature dishes and cooking traditions have long been at the core of Gallery by Chele using local and sustainable produce for a memorable dining experience. It's a philosophy that's reflected in their takeaway and delivery menu. As the threat of the viral pandemic continues to linger, dining at home has become the new normal and Gallery by Chele responds with the introduction of AT HOME Spanish Signatures featuring a selection of specialty dishes by Chele Gonzalez conveniently delivered to your doorstep. Now you can enjoy the private fine dining experience of Gallery by Chele at home with the AT HOME Spanish Signatures by Chele Gonzalez...

Dining in the Next Normal: Go Big with the Giant Too Much Chocolate Chip Cookie by Fet Boys Bakery

 Size matters. Even with Chocolate Chip Cookies...

Fet Boys Bakery transforms the chocolate chip cookie with their Giant Too Much Chocolate Chip Cookie that's bigger, wider and thicker than the usual cookie. One bite and the massive size and scale of the Giant Too Much Chocolate Chip Cookie sinks in, and yes, size matters even with chocolate chip cookies. With Christmas just around the corner, Fet Boys Bakery has an equally big and tempting offer just in time for the holidays...

Dining in the Next Normal: Indulge in Simple Pleasures with Maja Blanca, Soft Pandesal and Truffle Honey Butter by Nicole's Kitchen

Maja Blanca and Soft Pandesal with Truffle Honey Butter. An afternoon indulgence by Nicole's Kitchen, delivered to your table... 

There are certain dishes that add a comforting vibe to quarantine afternoons, like the silky smooth indulgence of traditional Maja Blanca or tibok-tibok topped with latik and warm Soft Pandesal with a dab of luxurious Truffle Honey Butter. Nicole's Kitchen satisfies all your cravings and simple pleasures, conveniently delivered to your doorstep (for more on Nicole's Kitchen, see my previous posts, Dining in the Next Normal: Curated Comfort Meals by Nicole's Kitchen Delivered To Your Doorstep on their specialty offerings like Chicken Galantine and Classic Embutido and Dining in the Next Normal: Nostalgic Capampangan Flavors Come Your Way with Ima's Burong Hipon from Nicole's Kitchen on their authentic Capampangan Tagilo).

Dining in the Next Normal: Enjoy a Sumptuous Korean BBQ Feast at Home with Korea's Number One BBQ, Chung Choon Yeon Ga Unlimited Korean BBQ

Food deliveries are now part of the culinary mainstream in the new normal offering diners a whole new world of infinite dining possibilities at home...including authentic Korean style samgyupsal.

Dining at home becomes the new normal as the threat of the viral pandemic continues to linger. But our love affair with Korean samgyupsal, and practically anything Korean really, continues to grow stronger despite the quarantine. Korea's number one BBQ restaurant, Chung Choon Yeon Ga or simply CCYG, reopens to serve its mouth-watering Korean BBQ selections at Il Terrazo in Quezon City. But if you prefer to dine at home, CCYG now delivers their sumptuous array of pork and beef BBQ to your doorstep, complete with all the trimmings and tasty side dishes...   

Dining in the Next Normal: Raise a Toast for The Drunk Baker's Indulgent Liquor-Infused Baked Creations

Indulgent desserts take on a whole new level of decadence with a flavorful shot of liquor by The Drunk Baker...

The Drunk Baker offers a different kind of indulgence infusing the rich and deep notes of liquor to decadent fresh baked delights like Whiskey Brownies and Chocolate Olive Oil Rum Cake with Dark Chocolate Ganache. It's homemade artisan treats lovingly made by a tipsy baker. And I like the sound of that already. After all, everyone needs a much-needed lift in spirits in this new normal, right? A tipple for dessert? Why not.

Dining in the Next Normal: Nostalgic and Authentic Capampangan Flavors Comes To Your Home Dining Table with Culinarya Pampanga

Bulanglang, Begukan, Kilayin, Tamales, just some of the delicacies from the country's culinary capital masterfully recreated by noted Capampangan chefs. As restrictions are slowly lifted, you still don't have to go far for authentic Capampangan cuisine. Let Pampanga come directly to your dining table at home...with Culinarya Pampanga.

Long known for its rich culinary heritage, Pampanga boasts of a long and proud gastronomic tradition that continues to grow stronger with even more innovations through the years. Chef Sau del Rosario leads an all-star cast of noted Capampangan chefs to bring the authentic flavors of Pampanga directly to your home with Culinarya Pampanga, a dedicated assembly of friends banding together with the mission of preserving the heritage of Capampangan cuisine and promoting it as one of the country's culinary treasures. Culinarya Pampanga shares the region's flavorful stories through food, one authentic dish at a time. With the food delivery culture now part of the new normal, Culinarya Pampanga adds even more tasty options conveniently delivered to you for a memorable dining experience at home... 

Food News: East Meets West in a Culinary Competition by The Irish Food Board

Cook up your favorite beef or pork recipe and, with the luck of the Irish, you just might be on your way to a culinary tour of the Emerald Isles... 

That's right. A unique cooking competition highlighting the renowned world-class quality of Irish beef and pork may just be your ticket to Ireland. The Irish Government Food Board or Bord Bia recently launched their first online culinary competition dubbed "East Meets West" last August 1, 2020 as part of its on-going and sustaining program to build and raise awareness on the high quality as well as the unique taste and versatility of European Pork and Beef among Filipino consumers and institutions. It's also the perfect opportunity to showcase your cooking skills and favorite family recipes to some of Manila's finest chefs. If you're up for the culinary challenge, read on for a chance to embark on a memorable culinary tour in the food island of Europe...

Dining in the Next Normal: Cloudy Quarantine Days and the Spicy Stir-Fry Ma La by The Villamaria Kitchen

Home-based food businesses continue to rise in the new normal offering unique and comforting flavors conveniently delivered to your doorstep. We've seen creative culinary trends and the food delivery culture becoming part of the new normal, and this will likely continue for the rest of the year. The quarantine experience will forever change and transform the way go about our daily routine with lasting repercussions that will be felt long after a vaccine is developed. But in many home kitchens around the metro, exciting and comforting new dishes are dispatched daily to a city in a prolonged quarantine. And one home kitchen is cooking up something hot and spicy...

In a story heard and retold countless times during the quarantine, another home kitchen joins the ranks of rising home-based food businesses offering their own take on the fiery classic Szechuan Ma La to brighten up any cloudy day in the next normal. The Villamaria Kitchen fires up your palate with its numbing yet soothing spicy Stir-Fry Ma La conveniently delivered to your doorstep...