The Big Banquet at The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion

Manila's best caterers. All in one place. It's The Big Banquet at The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion...

Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet, RJ Ledesma and The Blue Leaf Events Pavilion gathered Manila's best caterers for a grand food tasting and sampling last Sunday, May 4, 2014, showcasing their signature dishes at The Big Banquet.

An intimate dinner or a lavish wedding reception, leave it to Manila's best caterers to handle all your culinary requirements. At The Big Banquet, one gets to taste sampling portions of the different signature dishes in actual table set-ups to give you a feel of the service. Read on for a quick run-through of Manila's best...

1. Hizon's Catering Services. For nearly thirty years, Hizon's has been cooking up some of the metro's most memorable dishes, including their signature Slow-Roasted US Angus Beef with Mushroom Gravy, for countless family gatherings and receptions. And the tradition continues, as we were served sampling portions of Hizon's best dishes.  

Hizon's sampler included the tender and flavorful Slow-Roasted US Angus Beef served with roasted marble potatoes, a tasty Crispy Beef Ssam Spring Roll and for dessert, Hizon's Sunken Island, a creamy and indulgent treat with fresh fruits. A family-run business, one can taste and experience the passion for good food in all of Hizon's dishes.

Hizon's Catering Services Contact Details:
#22 Renowned Lane Sanville
Project 6, Quezon City
Tel. # 925-0107/928-3672
email: info@hizonscatering.com
Website: www.hizonscatering.com

2.  Josiah's Catering. Josiah's Catering's began from humble beginnings more than twenty years ago, cooking for friends and family from their own backyard. Twenty years later, Josiah's Catering has grown into one of the metro's successful caterers.

Our sampling plate included Josiah's Catering's Boursin Cheese on Melba Toast, California Seafood Spring Roll, Sundried Tomato and Cream Cheese Stuffed Roast Chicken, and Baked Salmon with Mango Butter Sauce. And for dessert, a rich Peanut Mousse and comforting S'mores Bar.

Josiah's Catering Contact Details
East Drive, Marikina Heights, 1810 Marikina City
Tel. # 475-2703
email: marketing@josiahcatering.com
Website: www.josiahcatering.com

3.  Albergus Catering. Somewhere in the metro, one can usually spot the ubiquitous Albergus Catering truck headed for an event or venue. And for 37 years, Albergus Catering has gained a reputation for flawless event execution, customer service, and great food. Like the Slow Roast US Beef Belly with Rosemary and Garlic Crust, served with garlic chips and mushroom sauce.

Albergus Catering Contact Details
16 Capitol Hills Drive, Diliman, Quezon City
Tel. # 931-3663
email: reservations@aberguscatering.com
Website: www.alberguscatering.squarespace.com

4. K. by Cunanan Catering. Playful, refreshing, and inventive. It's always great to see the second generation taking over the family business, adding a contemporary and modern touch to family recipes. Like K by Cunanan Catering. There is this unmistakable sense of fun and youthful exuberance in her style, like the unique Seafood Paella Soup with mussels, squid and a perfectly seared scallop in a thick and rich broth. You can see more in her cool blog here at http://kbycunanancatering.blogspot.com/.  

Other dishes sampled included K. by Cunanan Catering's  Seared Tuna with Balsamic Glaze on a crisp tortilla and the rich and indulgent Salted caramel Pot de Creme served in small glass jars. Very cool.





K. by Cunanan Catering Contact Details

2116 Elias Street, Manila
Tel. # 711-0904
Website: http://kbycunanancatering.blogspot.com/

5. Juan Carlo the Caterer.  Managed by a couple with a passion for food, the couple began with a humble mini-restaurant in Saudi Arabia, and eventually returned to the country to start Juan Carlo the Caterer. Since then, Juan Carlo the Caterer has been a popular choice among local celebrities. The friendly and attentive staff promptly escorted us to our seats, and served us a refreshing Crab and Mango Salad to start.

Then, Juan Carlo The Caterer's sampling menu was served, Salmon with Tequila Cream Sauce and buttered vegetables. Great food and excellent service. No wonder that Juan Carlo the Caterer is top-of-mind among Manila's celebrities.

Juan Carlo The Caterer Contact Details
24-B 11th Jamboree St., Tomas Morato, Quezon City
Tel. # 416-5134/413-7511
email: info@juancarlothecaterer.com
Website: www.juancarlothecaterer.com

6. Bizu Catering Studio. I've always enjoyed Bizu's elegant desserts, and it's great to now that Bizu can cater your event as well. Bizu Catering Studio offers its line of exquisite cakes and pastries along with savory dishes for your special occasion.


Bizu Catering Studio Contact Details:
Tel. # 845-0590 to 93
email: concierge@bizugroupe.com
Website: www.bizucateringstudio.com

7. Mesclun Events Catering. Chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara brings her vast culinary experience to the catering business with Mesclun Events Catering. With Chef Katrina Kuhn-Alcantara's classic yet inventive style, Mesclun adds its distinct flavor to your catering options. After so much roast beef dishes, it was good to see some pork. And there's nothing better than Mesclun's Lechon Belly Roast served with gravy and mangosteen jelly. Tender, juicy pork with a thin and crispy layer of crackling...perfect.

I go for a few slices of Mesclun's Lechon Belly Roast with a serving of Lechon Rice, Mesclun's Fresh Tuna Poke on crisp toast, and some Lechon Belly Wraps with honey mustard and hoisin sauce. For dessert, go for Mesclun's very own line of premium chocolate, Paulene's Chocolat Suisses.

Mesclun Events Catering Contact Details:
Tel. # 638-7878 (The Linden Suites)/551-1626 (Serendra)/964-0869 (Eastwood)
email: info@mesclun.ph
Website: www.mesclun.ph

8. Center Table Catering. Established in 1987, Center table Catering offers complete catering packages, including lavish floral arrangements and set-ups along with some very tasty dishes. For starters, Center Table Catering offered its elegant Eastern Shrimp Spring Rolls...

For the sampling menu, Center table Catering's signature US Certified Black Angus Roast Beef was served, along with buttered vegetables topped with gravy and cheese, a rich Potato Gratin and and equally rich and nutty Mushroom Gratin.

Center Table Catering Contact Details:
60 Madrid Street corner Amsterdam, Merville Park
Paranaque City
Tel. # 824-5179
email: info@centertablecatering.com
Website: www.centertablecatering.com

9. The Red Chef and Events. A friend of mine whispered, "you should try the Callos..." and pointed to the The Red Chef stall. She was right. Fork-tender beef, chickpeas, and peppers in a rich and flavorful sauce, served with potato balls with tomato salsa and cream sauce. It was a good way to end my experience at The Big Banquet. 

The Red Chef Contact Details:

95 Guirayan Street, Brgy. Dona Imelda,

Quezon City

Tel. # 741-2762

Website: www.redchefandevents.com

Stuffed, I still had three more caterers to sample, but I had one bite too many. I'm pretty sure the dishes were great. And here's the cool part. Guests were tasked to rate the different dishes and in a few days, we'll find out the most popular dish and caterer at The Big Banquet. So stay tuned...

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