As a snack or dessert, blueberries are always at the top of any list. And why not. All-natural blueberries are often considered as one of nature's superfoods scoring big on health, flavor and ease. But it's time to go beyond snacks and dessert and explore the full flavor potential of blueberries in your home or professional kitchen. Are you ready for a flavorful and boundless blue boost? Discover and explore savory possibilities with USA Blueberries...
Blueberries go big as it expands its reach, presence and availability in the country through the establishment of relevant linkages and strengthening its network base with key stakeholders. This means you can now enjoy that blue boost in your professional or home kitchen with easier access to USA Blueberries. To cap the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service 2026 Agribusiness Trade Mission to the Philippines, the US Highbush Blueberry Council hosted a Meet and Eat dinner at The Split with a curated menu by Chef Kalel Chan showcasing the infinite culinary possibilities with USA Blueberries. Read on for a peek of the boundless blue boost of indulgent sweetness, rich flavor, vibrant color and value to your menus or family meals...
The festive dinner at The Split marked the wonder blue fruit's growing presence in the local market as well as support continued growth via consistent awareness and availability initiatives. Established back in 2000, the US Highbush Blueberry Council is a federal agriculture and research and promotions program overseen by the USDA to represent blueberry growers and packers in North and South America. Driven with the aim of supporting growth and marketing of the industry through collaboration, the US Highbush Blueberry Council's long-term vision is to position blueberries as the world's favorite fruit through integrated marketing communications, industry services, global business development and innovation and technology. And now, the US Highbush Blueberry Council sets it sights on the local market as it expands its presence in the region.
Helmed by Raintree Hospitality Executive Chef Kalel Chan, The Split at BGC offers a glimpse at the blue possibilities with USA Blueberries in a lavish curated dinner. Aptly named, the novel concept features Raintree Hospitality's four key brands in one place. Now diners can enjoy their favorite go-to dishes from Providore Bakery & Café (for more on their comforting cuisine, see my post The Great Eatscape At SM Aura Premier: A Return To Comforting Classics At Providore from 2016), Saboten Express, Chotto Matte (more on their Japanese offerings on my previous post, Sushi And Highballs At Chotto Matte from a decade back) and Friends & Family Upside Down (more on my post, Weekend Afternoons & Good Vibes, Ube Champorado & Birthday Spaghetti...At Friends & Family from 2019) in one cool space at The Split.
Herpin Rochet Jateng, Agricultural Attaché of the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service and Kevin Hamilton, VP of Global Marketing and Communications of the US Highbush Blueberry Council shared the latest updates on the global blueberry industry from production trends, export growth outlook and the expanded role and presence of USA Blueberries in the Southeast Asian market with an emphasis on local market development with opportunities for collaboration across retail, foodservice and manufacturing sectors.
Chef Kalel Chan then provided a brief preview of the evening's menu featuring USA Blueberries. Drawing on his wide repertoire of experience and mastery of various cuisines, Chef Kalel Chan explores fresh, bold and unrestrained flavors with USA Blueberries for a full dinner menu at The Split. That's right, blueberries aren't just for snacks and dessert.
At the venue, an impressive selection of USA Blueberries in a variety of products were displayed...
From the different forms for commercial and manufacturing applications, the distinctive flavor and color of USA Blueberries comes through to give your products clear differentiation with that distinct edge in flavor...
...to unique products like chocolate bars in US Blueberry Cheesecake in White Chocolate, US Blueberry Brown Butter Caramel in Milk Chocolate and US Blueberry Mango Gel in Dark Chocolate setting it apart from the usual. The creative renditions with the blue super food opens up creative new options to any menu or product line. And there's more...
US Blueberry Ketchup and US Blueberry Steak Sauce offer even more flavorful possibilities. Later that evening, more renditions using USA Blueberries were unveiled...
At the formal trade and media launch at The Split, Chef Kalel Chan teases the palate with his refreshing Welcome Drink, a Yakult Lemon Soda made more flavorful with USA Blueberries...
...for that much-needed break from the summer heat. The distinct flavors of the popular Japanese probiotic milk beverage is sweetened with the addition of fresh USA Blueberries completed by the refreshing fizz of the lemon soda for a potential summer blockbuster at The Split. And yes, this will soon be on the menu.
The evening's dinner featured curated renditions showcasing USA Blueberries from starters to mains and dessert created by Chef Kalel Chan at The Split. The menu reflected the versatility of USA Blueberries as a "secret ingredient" enhancing any dish including savory mains.
Chef Kalel Chan started the evening's feast with USA Blueberries Walnut Sourdough paired with Yuzu Butter Au Nori, a creative play on contrasting yet balanced flavors. The subtle sour hint is layered with a whisper of sweetness from the USA Blueberries for a delectable weave of flavors perfectly smoothened by the rich, creamy and briny hints of the Yuzu Butter Au Nori.
Then, Chef Kalel Chan served an elegant quartet of savory bites with Maguro, Shake & Hamachi Sashimi with USA Blueberries Smoked Soy Sauce, Tamago Sashimi, Kani Aburi Spoon and Uni, Ika Iced Candy. Each creation featured USA Blueberries adding a layer of distinct sweetness with each tasty bite. The freshness of the ingredients brings fresh and clean notes to the palate perfectly complemented by the sweetness of USA Blueberries. In a recurring theme for the evening's feast, it's this sweetness from the USA Blueberries that gives each exquisite rendition the perfect finishing touch.
Fresh seafood rolls were then served for a unique take on the traditional and popular Japanese staple...
...like the intricate USA Blueberries Belly Dragon Roll...
...and the USA Blueberries Salmon Tuna Dynamite. Both savory expressions offered a medley of fresh flavors and textural contrasts, each one made more elegant with the addition of USA Blueberries.
That subtle layer of sweetness from the USA Blueberries gives each delicate roll a flavorful depth released with every bite. The added layer of flavor from the USA Blueberries transforms the rolls with richer notes for a solid finish. A dip in the USA Blueberries Smoked Soy Sauce with a dab of wasabi completes the flavors.
The Spicy Seabass Saikyo Yaki, Hot Buckwheat Soba, Shimeji with Hakikami is another masterfully executed dish from Chef Kalel Chan's playlist at the Meet and Eat dinner hosted by the US Highbush Blueberry Council at The Split. And just like the dishes served earlier, the comfortingly familiar notes of traditional staples are elegantly transformed with the addition of USA Blueberries.
Each savory sip and bite is followed by a lingering sweetness from the USA Blueberries for a delicately balanced play on sweet and salty notes. The weave of subtle even nuanced flavors are enhanced by that blue boost from the USA Blueberries.
In between courses, Chef Kalel Chan served his palate cleansing Intermezzo of USA Blueberries Kaffir Lime Shooters before the final round of savory creations...
...with the Wagyu Beef Cheeks with USA Blueberries Anticucho Sauce, Braised Daikon Katsuboshi and Lotus Chips. Chef Kalel Chan assembles each of the components for a beautifully plated finale from the fork-tender Wagyu beef cheeks down to the braised daikon and crisp lotus chips punctuated by the subtle yet pronounced sweetness of the USA Blueberries.
The deliberate infusion of sweetness from the USA Blueberries complements the savory finish of the dish, giving it an edge from the usual renditions. From starters to mains, each creation is elevated and transformed with the simple addition of USA Blueberries.
Dessert is familiar territory for USA Blueberries, yet one can't help but be amazed at just how any sweet creation is made more indulgent with that blue boost as the perfect finishing touch. The USA Blueberries Ume Japanese Cheesecake caps a sumptuous feast on a decadent high note with the indulgent sweetness of USA Blueberries cutting through the silky smooth richness of the Ume Japanese Cheesecake.
As blueberries continue to gain popularity in the local market with its natural sweetness, bright color, health and nutritional benefits, the US Highbush Blueberry Council is committed to ensure year-round availability and access. Through the different expressions presented that evening, USA Blueberries may just be that secret ingredient you've been looking for to spark some creative innovation in your professional or home kitchen. From desserts and pastries to breakfast bowls and savory dishes, it's time to go big with a healthy and sweet blue boost with USA Blueberries...
For more on USA Blueberries, visit their website, FB Page and IG Feed at https://blueberry.org/, https://www.facebook.com/USBlueberriesPHL/ and https://www.instagram.com/usblueberriesphl/ for more information and updates.
The Split is located at the Ground Floor of Seven NEO, 5th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila. You can also visit their FB Page and IG Feed at https://www.facebook.com/TheSplitPH/ and https://www.instagram.com/thesplitph/ for more updates.
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