Sustainable Seafood and a Sunset at the Seawall Garden

The freshest catch of the day prepared by the some of the country's finest chefs set against the famed Manila Bay sunset. Just can't get better than that...

AccorHotels, in partnership with Meliomar Sustainable Seafood Solutions, capped the third edition of Sustainable Seafood Week with an epic feast by the scenic Seawall Garden of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila last March 15, 2018. Raffles Makati, Fairmont Makati, Novotel Manila Araneta Center, Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila and Mercure Manila Ortigas reaffirmed their commitment to the sustainable seafood movement against a dramatic sunset for another memorable culmination of the week-long festivities.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila hosted the lavish sustainable seafood feast at the Seawall Garden providing guests front row seats to a stunning sunset by the bay. As the late afternoon sun descended, the executive chefs and their culinary teams from the six properties of AccorHotels prepared for the sunset feast... 

It's a movement that has gained momentum since it was first launched three years ago by Meliomar Sustainable Seafood Solutions, generating the much-needed awareness for everyone to make smarter and well-informed choices when it comes to seafood. And just about time too, as the world's marine resources are constantly pushed to the limit. Fresh, sustainable and traceable, applying best practices that benefit both the environment as well as local fishing communities are just some of the steps in the right direction. Against this pressing environmental concern, Meliomar gathered the industry's stakeholders and confront the issue head-on with its Sustainable Seafood Week initiative. Now on its third year, the Sustainable Seafood Week program includes many of the country's prestigious hotel properties as well as restaurants, noted chefs and leaders in culinary education (for more on the sustainable seafood movement, see my previous posts, The Freshest Catch for the Third Straight Year at the Sustainable Seafood Week Launch on the formal opening of this year's program and Sustainable, Traceable, Fresh and Right at the 2nd Sustainable Seafood Week Launch on last year's festivities).

Top brass from AccorHotels properties in the country were in attendance to support the sustainable seafood movement showcasing the freshest sustainable catch prepared by the culinary teams of each participating hotel. To witness all these prestigious names come together for a cause is a good sign...

...of even better things yet to come. And when leaders in the hotel industry under the AccorHotels group come together, it just adds the much-needed traction to the sustainable seafood movement for the benefit of everyone, all the way down to the consumer. That's both you and I, as the chefs prepared the lavish seafood feast.

At the entrance of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila's scenic Seawall Garden is the first station under Executive Chef Michael Schauss and his team from Novotel Manila Araneta Center with their tasty offerings for the sunset dinner. With executive chefs at the helm, you just know this is going to be special.

Executive Chef Michael Schauss shared their tasty spin on the classic ceviche with the Tuna in Avocado Ceviche with fresh vegetables and herbs from Novotel's El Dorado Farm...

...and the Poached Shrimp and Lato Enselada with calamansi, shallots, and tomatoes, both delivering the fresh and vibrant flavors of the ocean in tasty and elegant bite-sized portions. The clean briny sweetness of the fresh tuna and poached shrimps come through, each  masterfully prepared by the Novotel Manila Araneta Center team. The contrasting flavors blend seamlessly together in a delicate balance to complement the seafood.

Mercure Manila Ortigas served up their refreshing seafood duo of Grilled Tuna Skewers with pickled vegetables, sweet soy reduction and balsamic pearls...

...and Salmon Kinilaw with Quinoa Salad served in shooters. The wide variety and creative execution of each dish served that evening were impressive. But there's more...

...much more. The chefs from the different AccorHotels pulled out all the stops this year. Executive Chef Edgar Alejandria and his team from Joy-Nostalg Hotel & Suites Manila served their own inventive spin with a duo of refreshing dishes, including an inspired take on a familiar and comforting classic...

...with the Mackerel Sardines, with chunks of mackerel draped in rich olive oil and topped with fresh tomatoes and herbs. The fresh and clean flavors of the mackerel are perfectly highlighted by the nutty notes of the olive oil kicked up by hints of lemon and the sharp tartness of tomatoes.

Textural contrasts and flavors combine with Executive Chef Edgar Alejandria's Salmon Balls with Garlic Chive Sauce served in martini glasses, tasty bites that paired well with wine. Another round of wine added to the festive vibe of the evening, followed by even more seafood.

Executive Chef Anne-Cecil Degenne of Raffles Makati and Fairmont Makati, the country's first-ever executive chef, prepared her own tasty expressions with the day's freshest seafood. And Executive Chef Anne-Cecil Degenne did not disappoint.

The use of the freshest ingredients, including fish roe, is a promising combination. Each bite-sized serving is delicately plated and served to the never-ending lines of guests at the sunset dinner. Later in the afternoon, more guests arrived. And guests were treated to rich yet delicate flavors...

...with fresh fish topped with fish roe, cherry tomatoes, red onions and dill...

...and succulent shrimps in a rich pesto sauce topped with watercress. With ingredients this fresh, you don't need to complicate the seafood dish. 

Later in the afternoon, the clouds opened up for another surprise...

...revealing a majestic sunset over the bay. And with a backdrop like this, things can only get better.

Christian Schmidradner, General Manager of Meliomar, Inc., and other stakeholders set the tone for the evening's festivities underlining the importance of the sustainable seafood movement. Creating and increasing awareness for the sustainable seafood movement with activities like these are part of an integrated program...
 

...and just one of many events during Sustainable Seafood Week (for other Sustainable Seafood Week activities, see my previous posts, The Master Oyster Shucker Reigns at the Glasshouse and Taking It To The Barangay: The 2017 Marriott Asia-Pacific Culinary Workshop's Chef's Challenge).

Popular TV host Christine Jacobs-Sandejas made the rounds approaching the different stations to see what each chef had to offer for the evening. The Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila shared a wide array of sumptuous seafood dishes...

...skillfully prepared and documented by a barrage of cameras and phones. 

That evening, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila served their Seafood Risotto topped with fish and crispy fish skin...

...along with a variety of sashimi, sushi and rolls, highlighted by a whole fresh tuna as the centerpiece. It's a seafood feast taken to the next level prepared with the freshest sustainable catch by some of the metro's finest chefs.

And as the sun slowly sets, the bright lights of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila transforms the Seawall Garden as the feast continued long after the sunset. And as guests and stakeholders enjoyed another round of fresh seafood, it's pretty clear that the sustainable seafood movement is gaining momentum.

And just about time too. The issue on sustainable seafood is no longer just a choice. And it's time to get together and address this very real environmental concern head on. And a sunset by the bay just caps that commitment by the AccorHotels to the sustainable seafood movement in a dramatic way.

For more on Sustainable Seafood Week, visit their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/sustainableseafoodweekph/

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila is located at the CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, 1300 Pasay City or call +632-551-5555 for inquiries and more information.

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