Green Mondays: Start Your Week Right With Fresh Farm-To-Table Plant-Based Dishes At Seasonal Tastes In The Westin Manila

You don't have to go far for real farm-to-table and plant-based cuisine. You'll find it right here in the metro. Just mark Mondays on your calendar and book your table at Seasonal Tastes in The Westin Manila in a special collaboration with The Farm at San Benito. Is there anything better than starting the week right with farm fresh and healthy flavors?

Now on its sixth edition, Green Mondays highlights the collaboration between the five-star wellness forward The Westin Manila and Marriott International's wellness sanctuary down south, The Farm at San Benito showcasing farm fresh produce transformed into exquisite dishes. Presented and served in tasting plates prepared a la minute at the One Dish Wonders Live Station in the impressive buffet spread of Seasonal Tastes at The Westin Manila, guests and diners can now enjoy and experience farm-to-table plant-based options to start the week with Green Mondays. Read on and pick up your plate, it's time for some farm-to-table goodness at The Westin Manila...

The Westin Manila remains the only Michelin Guide recognized hotel property in the Ortigas commercial and business district committed to providing premium wellness-focused hospitality from plush signature beds in every hotel room to healthy menus in all its dining outlets. Developed by Robinsons Land Corporation and managed by Marriott International, The Westin Manila's holistic yet seamlessly integrated approach to wellness sets it apart from other hotel properties not only in the Ortigas CBD but the entire metro. One of the many ways this wellness-focused hospitality is executed is through its unique dining experience expressed with Green Mondays, a novel and unique concept with its emphasis on healthy and sustainable dining through relevant collaborations with local brands, artisans, chefs and restaurants with the same shared advocacy and philosophy. And from April 13 to May 26, 2026 from 12:00 nn to 2:30 pm,  The Westin Manila Executive Chef Rej Casanova and The Farm at San Benito's Executive Chef Rosemarie Pagcaliwagan team up for the 6th edition of Green Mondays at Seasonal Tastes. The all-day buffet dining restaurant is the perfect stage for the collaboration with its wide array of sumptuous offerings (for more on Seasonal Tastes at The Westin Manila, see my posts Mark Your Wednesdays For Authentic Indian Flavors, It's Spice & Soul At Seasonal Tastes In The Westin Manila from October last year, On The Wave Of Change At Seasonal Tastes Of The Westin Manila As Marriott International Philippines' Chefs Unite For World Ocean Day from two years back and #EatWell: The Seafood Dinner Buffet At Seasonal Tastes In The Westin Manila from 2023). 

Seasonal Tastes boasts of a dedicated Plant-Based Station located at the entrance emphasizing its commitment to healthier sustainable options for yet another unique and distinct feature setting it apart from the usual buffet dining format. That day, fresh renditions included Tofu Saganaki...

...and intricately wrapped Kale Dolma for a tasty duo of tasty appetizers. Then, there's a selection of flavorful dips like the traditional Chickpea Hummus...

...and playfully inventive variations like the Beetroot Hummus with its distinctive red hues and nutty sweetness...

...and the Pumpkin Hummus topped with pumpkin seeds. Think of this as your first course in the farm-to-table plant-based dining experience at Seasonal Tastes. And Seasonal Tastes has even more tempting options to tease your palate...

Cool down from the summer heat with a freshly squeezed fruit beverage from The Westin Fruit Juices selection...

...like the aptly named Immunity with its blend of red apple, ginger, lemon, magnesium and Vitamin C...

...and the Bold Beets with beetroot, cucumber, lemon, red apple, potassium, Vitamin A and Vitamin C. Each soothing sip highlights the restorative and healing properties of food, a recurring theme at Green Mondays in Seasonal Tastes. 

Executive Chefs Rosemarie Pagcaliwagan of The Farm at San Benito and Rej Casanova of The Westin Manila inspect the day's fresh harvest straight from the farm...

...as The Westin Manila Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Meghann Hernandez opened the Green Mondays preview at the One Dish Wonders Live Station where culinary teams meticulously prepare plant-based tasting plates a la minute using farm fresh ingredients. Each  dish becomes a convergence of shared philosophies as shared by The Westin Manila Executive Chef Rej Casanova. "As a sanctuary for restorative wellness rooted in nature, the restaurants at The Farm at San Benito and their menus are curated very much like ours, always with guest well-being in mind. So, a partnership to bring thoughtfully curated, plant-based menus made with organic, whole food ingredients was a logical collaboration for us." 

The Farm at San Benito is known for its healing food philosophy anchoring its wellness program. Located at a 52 hectare property south of the metro surrounded by lush greens, The Farm at San Benito sets the mood and tone for stillness, reflection and rejuvenation far away from the hectic urban pace. "At The Farm in San Benito, we believe food is also a pathway to healing," explained Executive Chef Rosemarie Pagcaliwagan. "As our guests take in the calming and relaxing sceneries at the property, we make sure that our menus are crafted to promote wellness from within. With this, we have taken the farm-to-table philosophy a level further and source most of our produce from our own organic vegetable and herb garden to ensure the quality of our offerings." The Farm at San Benito is also home to one of the first vegan restaurants in the country, ALIVE Restaurant where Executive Chef Rosemarie Pagcaliwan first set out on her personal culinary journey of healing through food. 

We've all had our own experiences with healthier, plant-based options with pretty much mixed results. For Executive Chefs Rej Casanova and Rosemarie Pagcaliwagan, it all begins with the freshest produce and ingredients. "Crafting plant-based cuisine is no easy feat," added Executive Chef Rosemarie Pagcaliwagan. "It takes significant mastery of technique and knowledge of the produce you can use for the cuisine, but when you're in a place with an abundance of whole food ingredients around you like The Farm at San Benito, it is much easier to get creative and come up with new dishes built around conscious nourishment of the body." 

Together with The Westin Manila Executive Chef Rej Casanova, the curated tasting plates at the One Dish Wonders Live Station for Green Mondays at Seasonal Tastes not only plays with real flavors from the freshest produce with creative executions, but challenges and changes the narrative for "healthy" food with its bold approach to flavor. From the contrasting textures to the unrestrained burst of vibrant notes ranging from rich and savory to a soothing and lingering heat, Executive Chefs Rej Casanova and Rosemarie Pagcaliwagan explores infinite possibilities to tease your palate. More than just another passing culinary trend, plant-based options also reflect an emerging desire for food provenance. More and more, knowing where our food comes from plays a key role in our daily decisions. 

At Seasonal Tastes, the savory offerings by Executive Chefs Rej Casanova and Rosemarie Pagcaliwagan goes beyond mere sustenance and nourishment. It's a conscious desire for opting something better providing a timely balance to our daily diet. Each chef-crafted tasting plate reflects this philosophy, starting with the Fresh Spring Roll with cabbage, carrots and turnips over creamy Almond Butter Sauce. A virtual harvest straight from the farm, the flavors are pure, clean and uncluttered draping the palate with a subtle sweetness from the crisp medley of vegetables perfectly finished by the richness of the Almond Butter Sauce. The sheer elegance in its simplicity makes this Fresh Spring Roll a satisfying and flavorful bite with its play on textural contrasts and rich notes. 

The delicately crisp Beetroot Croquette with Cilantro Chutney is another variation on fresh flavors with the natural nutty sweetness and rich earthy hints of the root vegetable teasing the palate with its flavorful depth followed by the bright and delectably tangy herbal notes of the chutney for that complex yet balanced finish. Highlighting the freshest ingredients involves weaving subtle and nuanced flavors together, masterfully executed with that palate pleasing crunch for contrast. 

Inspired by the classic Buffalo Wings, the Chili Garlic Cauliflower combines the sweetness and crunch of cauliflower with the savory and mildly spicy notes of the Buffalo style glaze. In one bite the familiar flavors and textures of cauliflower coated in masa harina, cornstarch, vegetable powder and smoothened with vegan butter is transformed with a savory finish and pronounced heat for another must-try take on plant-based cuisine at Seasonal Tastes. 

"We have also prepared a variety of carefully curated salads with balanced textures and flavors to really highlight the produce harvested from the vegetable and herb garden of The Farm at San Benito," added Executive Chef Rej Casanova. The Okra Eggplant Salad with calamansi coconut amino dressing offers unique textures from the okra tied together by the lightly tart and sweet dressing. The soft eggplant brings an added layer of richness to the bowl. 

The Pomelo Salad with cucumber, onions, carrots, apple, cherry tomato and cilantro brings vibrant notes to the table with the tart sweetness of fruits and delicate hints from the vegetables. Pure and fresh flavors with each bite, it's the quality of ingredients that drives the flavors for each dish prepared a la minute at the One Dish Wonders Live Station of Seasonal Tastes. The finest local ingredients, executed to perfection. Green Mondays at Seasonal Tastes shows you the difference in one tasting plate and one bite. 

Wash it all down with yet another bountiful harvest from The Farm at San Benito with the chilled Buko. It really doesn't get fresher than this. 

Now that you've sampled all five of the tasting plates from the One Dish Wonders Station for Green Mondays at Seasonal Tastes, you can opt to continue your plant-based journey with more of the signature specialties created by Executive Chef Rej Casanova and his culinary team. Like the Vegetable Kare-Kare with crisp and savory slabs of gluten paired with plant-based bagoong made with mushrooms and nori from the a la carte menu. With absolutely no meat, the all vegetable dish is just as savory and flavorful as your favorite kare-kare. And without the guilt too. The play on textures and flavors are perfectly recreated you'll want a bowl of steamed white rice to complete the dish. It's also the dish that bagged the top prize in the Kare-Kare category from the recent Marriott International Sinagtala Philippine Culinary Arts Cup for its creative rendition of a traditional and popular local staple (for more on the Marriott International Sinagtala Philippine Culinary Arts Cup, see my post And Your Winners Of The Marriott International Sinagtala Philippine Culinary Arts Cup Are... from October last year). 

Then, there's the wide array of tempting buffet offerings that make you pick up another plate. From Chinese style roasts, dim sum and noodles at the Asian Station...

...to the impressive selection at The Carving Station...

...like the always popular Australian Beef Rump Steak, it's easy to see why Seasonal Tastes remains a top dining destination in the Ortigas commercial and business district. 

A side of French beans, mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy completes your Australian Beef Rump Steak. And you can come back for seconds. 

And when Chef Arun is checking his station, make sure to order his specialty Lamb Biryani. 

Cap your sumptuous buffet feast at Seasonal Tastes with a stop at the Dessert Station for crepes, ice cream, cakes, pastries and these indulgent Portuguese Egg Tarts. 

The Green Mondays with The Farm at San Benito Lunch Buffet at Seasonal Tastes is priced at P 1,900 net per person and runs from April 13 to May 26, 2026 from 12:00 nn to 2:30 pm. Reservations are recommended, and you can conveniently book your table online right here at https://www.sevenrooms.com/experiences/seasonaltastesthewestinmanilamnlwp/green-mondays-with-the-farm-at-san-benito or call +632 8256 2020 for inquiries. From day one, The Westin Manila's passionate wellness-focused approach to hospitality remained a relevant and key differentiation setting it apart from other properties in the Ortigas commercial and business district. And it continues with the sixth edition of Green Mondays at Seasonal Tastes in collaboration with The Farm at San Benito. 

Buffet dining continues to be as popular as ever. But there days when you're looking for bold and vibrant flavors from farm fresh produce alongside your go-to buffet picks. For those days, make it Green Mondays at Seasonal Tastes in The Westin Manila. 

Seasonal Tastes is located on the Mezzanine Floor of The Westin Manila, San Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Drive, Ortigas Center, Barangay Wack-Wack, Greenhills East, 1552 Manila or call 02 8256 2020 for inquiries and reservations.  

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