Celebrating Modern Spanish Cuisine with Private Chef Chin Gallegos-Bagis of Pio's Kitchen at Spectrum

Reconnecting with a shared history and heritage often brings back memories that define who we are, and savoring comfortingly familiar flavors strengthens this link with the past. Revisit these flavors in a sumptuous feast prepared by one of the metro's best private dining chefs...

Fairmont Makati celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with noted Chef Chin Gallegos-Bagis of Pio's Kitchen at Spectrum in a week-long culinary festival of modern Spanish cuisine. From October 9 to October 15, 2017, Spectrum showcases the sumptuous dishes of Chef Chin Gallegos-Bagis, from jamons, cazuelas, tortas and her signature paella, in a lavish spread highlighting our rich culinary heritage and historic links with our colonial past. Read on and take a tasty sneak peek at Spectrum's Spanish flavors by Chef Chin Gallegos-Bagis...

One of the metro's best private chefs, Chin Gallegos-Bagis of Pio's Kitchen has long been one of Manila's best-kept secrets, and widely regarded as the best private dining paella restaurant in town (for more on Pio's Kitchen, visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/Pios-Kitchen). A strictly by reservations only restaurant, Chef Chin and Pio's Kitchen opens up to a wider audience at Spectrum for only a week in a unique culinary collaboration. Loyal customers swear by her paella, and for one week, Spectrum's diners can experience the rustic and traditional cuisine of Chef Chin with her inventive take on modern Spanish flavors. And Fairmont Makati's Spectrum is the perfect stage for Chef Chin's culinary creations (for more on Fairmont Hotel's Spectrum, see my earlier posts, Fresh Off The Grill: Spectrum's Sunday Brunch at The Ranch, Fresh Catch: The Seafood Sunday Brunch at Spectrum, and One Spectacular Dinner at Fairmont Makati's Spectrum).

During a special preview, Chef Chin and Spectrum's team laid out an impressive spread featuring some of the featured dishes for the week-long festival,  including tasty appetizers such as the Spinach and Manchego Dip (L) served with crisp homemade chips and Bruschetta with Mushroom Tapenade and Red Peppers (R).

Spanish cheeses and charcuterie add to the festive flavors at Spectrum, pairing well with a Sangria or refreshing Cava. As the afternoon light slowly faded, our feast of modern Spanish flavors by Chef Chin Gallegos-Bagis began with tasty bites and more rounds of Cava at Spectrum...

Chef Chin's homestyle tapas brings vibrant Spanish flavors to the spread for more tasty options. Indulge with a plateful of different tapas and another round of Cava to get you in that Iberian groove in no time...

That day, Chef Chin featured her Homemade Sardines in olive oil, peppercorns, carrots and pickled cucumber. It's the familiar flavor of countless childhood summers, recreated at Spectrum by Chef Chin. The fresh, briny and clean hints of the sardines are capped by the rich and nutty notes of olive oil adding depth to the dish, perfect with a piece crusty bread.

The flavors of the sunny Spanish Mediterranean coast come alive with Chef Chin's Spanish Olives (L) topped with fresh herbs, while the deep, earthy and woody notes of fresh mushrooms in olive oil and garlic punch through with each bite with the Fungi con Alio (R), one of my personal favorites at the spread.

Chef Chin's inspired spin on the traditional Spanish soup is another must-try at Spectrum. The Gazpacho Shots with Grilled Tiger Prawns combine the bold and tart notes of tomatoes and vegetables in a rich and thick broth with succulent prawns. The plump prawns deliver an audible snap with each bite, followed by a briny sweetness and perfectly finished by the thick broth. Just perfect.

Chef Chin also showcased a pair of refreshing salad dishes, like her hearty Roasted Bell Pepper Chorizo Salad (L) with the smoky and sweet notes of peppers pairing well with the savory chorizo, and the Salad Al Fresca (R) with the distinct flavors of cheese, oranges, and pomelo coming together in a seamless blend.

Memories of my grandmother's home cooking linger after each bite of Chef Chin's soft and fluffy Torta con Patate y Chorizo, masterfully executed with the bold flavors of Spanish chorizo lining your palate capped by the tartness of cherry tomatoes and minty notes of fresh herbs. It's comforting flavors and dishes like these that make Chef Chin's modern Spanish cuisine at Spectrum special.

In between plates of Chef Chin's hearty homestyle flavors, another glass of Cava is always a good idea before the main course...

Many say it's the dish that placed Chef Chin on the metro's emerging culinary landscape of exclusive private dining, and the Paella Mixta is an impressive sight. 

Chef Chin's Paella Mixta is a feast for the eyes, topped with a variety of fresh seafood including plump mussels, clams, lobster, and prawns along with chicken, pork and vegetables. But all you need is a taste of the soft, moist and fluffy rice, infused with all the flavors and richness of the various toppings to find out why Chef Chin and Pio's Kitchen is one the metro's hidden culinary gems. Chef Chin is also known for her innovative paella creations, like her Bagnet Paella. Going for a second round, and a third, is definitely an option that's hard to resist, so go ahead...

Our lavish Spanish feast ends on a high note with Chef Chin's indulgent dessert selections, including Churros and Tsokolate de Batirol, that classic pairing of comforting flavors. But Chef Chin has one more tasty surprise up her sleeves...

Not your usual churros, Chef Chin adds a playfully inventive spin filling the churros with rich mozzarella for even more flavors. Light and crisp on the outside, soft and gooey inside, what's not to love? Dip it in the extra thick Tsokolate de Batirol and enjoy...

But save room for Chef Chin's final indulgence. Drawing inspiration from her grandmother's cherished family recipes, Chef Chin shares her sinful Lola's Maja Delight, with soft and creamy maja blanca topped with a layer of velvety smooth leche flan for a double dose of decadence. Have a slice, a big slice, and you'll find yourself in a happy place. It's amazing how these two classic and traditional Spanish desserts that have been around for generations were never combined in one dish. Leave it to Chef Chin to amaze you with her innovative and modern take on the flavors we love...

Reconnect and strengthen the bonds that bind us with a celebration of modern Spanish cuisine at Spectrum, and experience Chef Chin's unique spin on rustic, homestyle flavors. Savor the flavors of Spain in a week-long celebration of modern Spanish cuisine by Chef Chin Gallegos-Bagis at Spectrum for only P 2,150 per person for lunch and P 2,380 for dinner. Upgrade with P 895 for unlimited Spanish-themed cocktails. Bring the entire family for a Sunday feast for only P 3,077 per person. Just pick a day, and indulge. See you at Spectrum...

Spectrum is located at the Ground Floor of the Fairmont Makati, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati City or call Restaurant Reservations at 795-1840 or email dining.makati@fairmont.com for inquiries and reservations.

Dude for Food is now on Facebook and Instagram, check out the FB Page and IG Feed for regular updates on good eats. Better yet, click "Like" and "Follow" and enjoy the ride...just look for the FB and IG widgets on the right sidebar.