What's Cookin' At The CCA Show Kitchen September Mixer

The sauces are simmering, the pot is steaming and the lamb is gently warmed in the oven. The CCA Show Kitchen is once again humming with activity for the on-going mixer series...

The September Mixer is underway at the CCA Show Kitchen bringing together food professionals, chefs, the academe, entrepreneurs and suppliers from the local food industry in another memorable gathering celebrated with sumptuous dishes. The spirit of collaboration, spotting new trends and strengthening relevant connections brings all of us closer together moving ever forward in a changing culinary landscape. Read on and step inside the CCA Show Kitchen and see what's cookin'...

Inside the CCA Show Kitchen, the tables are set for the regular mixer series showcasing both the versatility and adaptability of the venue for any culinary event (for more on the CCA Show Kitchen Mixers, see my previous post Oysters, Wine, Sake, Sausages, Sharing of Knowledge And Building Relevant Connections At The CCA Show Kitchen from a month ago). Think of the possibilities. The CCA Show Kitchen may be the place that's perfect for your next product launch, cooking demo or intimate event at the heart of BGC. 

A fully equipped kitchen, the CCA Show Kitchen is also the preferred venue for culinary pop-ups and take-overs like the on-going Little Grace Private Tasting Menu Series by Chef Sharwin Tee (more on my earlier post at Plating Nostalgic Stories With The Autumn Tasting Menu At The Little Grace Pop-Up By Chef Sharwin Tee from a few days back). That evening, CCA Culinary Director Chef Philip John Golding helmed the kitchen assisted by CCA Manila students. Part of the of the objectives of the mixer series include providing culinary students a real world setting for added experience to complement the classroom component. 

Assisting Chef Philip John Golding at the September Mixer in the CCA Show Kitchen is Chef Dom Iannarelli from Iowa. Known for his fine dining restaurant Prime & Providence specializing in prime beef and live fire cuisine and Jethro's BBQ, Chef Dom Iannarelli shares his expertise on slow-cooked meats and grilling for the September Mixer's menu featuring New Ζealand lamb shanks, boneless lamb leg and rump. And we'll see more of Chef Dom on my next post for the Jones Dairy Farm Bacon Elegance Dinner at Ruby Jack's. 

Inside the enormous kitchen, CCA Manila students begin the prep work for the evening's feast...

...under the supervision of Chef Philip. The complex operation offers a glimpse of the tedious process behind each dish served that evening. As more guests arrived, a fragrant aroma welcomes visitors to the CCA Show Kitchen promising a sumptuous feast ahead. 

The kitchen takes on a life of its own with several activities happening at the same time yet everything follows the same beat in perfect unison. It's just what you'd expect from CCA Manila. 

At the CCA Show Kitchen Mixer, innovative products were also showcased like the all-around and versatile Thermomix. More than just a food processor, the Thermomix blends, mixes, chops, cooks, kneads, steams, sauté, whisk, sous-vide, slow-cook and even weighs your food making the preparation of family meals at home a breeze. That's like having over 20+ appliances with 28 cooking functions in one handy gadget made even easier with its cool smart multi-layer cooking features and interactive guided cooking at a press of a button with its wide touch screen. That evening, guests enjoyed refreshing fruit juices and a bowl of hearty pumpkin soup all made with Thermomix within minutes (for more on Thermomix, visit their website at https://www.phuanskitchen.com.ph/ and social media feeds at https://www.facebook.com/ThermomixPilipinas and https://www.instagram.com/thermomix_philippines/ for additional information). 

Beverage partner San Miguel Beer offered their range of signature offerings from the Premium All-Malt and classic Super Dry to the Dark Lager and Chocolate Lager. One more round? Absolutely. 

Meanwhile, Chef Philip checks in on the main courses highlighting New Zealand lamb shank, boneless leg and rump from Pasture Fresh Specialty Meats. Chef Philip is currently the Philippines Chef Brand Ambassador for Pasture Fresh New Zealand, known for its exquisite 100% grass-fed lamb and beef based Taranaki in The Land of the Long White Cloud. For the evening's savory feast, Chef Philip created three dishes for the New Zealand Lamb showcase with Braised Curried Lamb Shanks, Roasted Boneless Lamb Leg and Marinated Lamb Rump. 

Finished in the oven over a variety of vegetables, the New Zealand Boneless Lamb Leg is ready for carving...

...gently seared on a pan before plating...

...as the New Zealand Lamb Shank slowly simmers on the pot. The New Zealand lamb feast is slowly taking shape at the CCA Show Kitchen. 

Tasty bites were also served by the team of CCA Manila students like the Sisig Tacos...

...and skewered Grilled Shrimp with peppers prepared a la minute at live stations paired with endless rounds of beer and wine.  

And it's ready. Chefs Philip, Dom and the team of students from CCA Manila begin to serve up the New Zealand lamb feast...

...starting with the Braised Curried New Zealand Lamb Shank. Slow-braised and simmered in a rich sauce made with curry spices, kaffir lime, cardamom, coffee and dates, the sauce itself becomes the flavorful base for the star of the dish. 

Served on rice, the tender fall-off-the-bone New Zealand lamb shank drapes the palate with a rich medley of flavors anchored on its pure and clean notes. 

The Marinated New Zealand Lamb Rump with vegetables from Future Fresh Farms is a classic roast served medium rare with a juicy pink center seasoned with a blend of Middle Eastern spices.  

The Middle Eastern inspired dish with citrusy hints from preserved lemons, tahini, fresh herbs and yogurt complements the savory richness of the lamb enhancing its flavors. 

The different renditions clearly highlights the clean yet rich flavors of premium New Zealand lamb masterfully executed by Chefs Philip, Dom and the team of CCA Manila students. 

But it's the Roasted Boneless New Zealand Lamb Leg with its medium rare finish simply seasoned with freshly cracked black pepper and Pangasinan sea salt that brings the fresh, clean and pure savory notes of New Zealand grass-fed lamb home right from the very first bite. 

The exquisite flavors of lamb is just one flavorful layer in the CCA Show Kitchen September Mixer woven with the spirit of collaboration and building relevant connections in one memorable evening. And there's more flavorful stories yet to come from the CCA Show Kitchen...

The CCA Manila Show Kitchen is located at the University of the Philippines Campus in BGC, Taguig City, 1630, Metro Manila. You can visit their website and FB Page at https://cca-manila.edu.ph/ and https://www.facebook.com/ccamanila/ for more information and updates or call 0960 244 7697 for inquiries.

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