Conversations Over Coffee by Nespresso...

When you bring together the top restaurateurs behind some of the most successful restaurant brands in the country, good things are bound to happen...

The sharing of best practices gained from real experiences and relevant discussions on issues faced by the local food and beverage industry based on key insights are just some of the things you can expect when you gather the best and brightest. And the conversations are always better with coffee. Nespresso Philippines recently hosted Conversations Over Coffee at Discovery Primea's Flame featuring the movers and shakers of the local culinary scene in a one-of-a-kind afternoon of learning and good vibes. It's often said that deep conversations are priceless, and good conversations are as stimulating as a good cup of coffee. You have both, and a whole lot more, with Conversations Over Coffee by Nespresso...

Held at Discovery Primea's elegant Flame Restaurant (for more on Flame, see my previous posts, Firing Up New Dishes at Discovery Primea's Flame Restaurant and Power Lunch at Flame, Cocktails at Edge), the Nespresso team transformed a secluded spot of the elegant space for the afternoon's casual get-together.

Since 1986, Nespresso has redefined and revolutionized the way we enjoy a soothing cup of coffee, shaping the global coffee culture with their brand of the Nespresso Ultimate Coffee Experience. From the premium high quality coffee to the smart coffee machines capped by unmatched customer service, Nespresso lets you savor your perfect cup of coffee anytime. Just pop in the capsule and let the machine do the rest. As guests arrived for the casual afternoon get-together, the Nespresso machines were turned on...

...igniting round after round of friendly chat leading to deep, serious discussions on the food business.

It's a gathering like no other, with the country's leading minds in the local food industry coming together for a cup of coffee.

How vital is expansion to a flourishing food business in a competitive landscape? That afternoon, thoughts on expansion were shared as a key strategy for food businesses, with three different perspectives from some of the country's noted leaders in the restaurant scene.

For over twenty-seven years, Potato Corner has grown from carts to in-line stores not just in Manila but in Singapore, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, Saigon, San Francisco, New York, Las Vegas, Sydney, Panama and Kuwait. From relevant price point sensitivities to  strategic locations, the local potato sensation has now gone global. Dom Hernandez of Potato Corner shares the company's goal of becoming the leading multichain microbranded enterprise in the world, discussing location and franchising strategies that drive its aggressive expansion. At Potato Corner, going global is a strategy in itself, with the aim of achieving presence in every significant city or community throughout the world while enhancing and further professionalizing its current business model leading to eventual IPO or initial public offering. What started as a microfood franchise concept is now on the verge of becoming a global brand, taking potatoes to a whole new level.

Expansion is seen with a different perspective for another successful business. Happy Ongpauco comes from the family behind iconic Filipino brands as Barrio Fiesta, Bakahan at Manukan, Ihaw-Ihaw, Kalde-Kaldero; Kawa-Kawali at Aawitan Kayo Restaurant and The Singing Cooks and Waiters, Atbp, and now manages her own restaurants with Happy Concepts Group (for more on Happy Ongpauco and her family-run restaurants, see my posts, Pamana: A Legacy of Filipino Cuisine, Food Trips: A Boodle Fight at Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Gerona and Food Trips: Good Food and Good Vibes All Around at Isdaan Floating Restaurant in Talavera). For Happy Ongpauco, expansion takes a different course, pursuing her own personal passion for bespoke private dining to supplement the core business. Seamlessly weaving her bespoke private dining concept with the established brands of the family business not only leverages on strength but allows the brands to adapt to the times. Supplementing the core business with new ventures is one way to go...

...while others continually seek new opportunities to increase presence to rise above the clutter in a crowded marketplace. It's all about being there, right where your customers are, and being accessible. Eric Dee, Chief Operating Officer for one of the country's leading multi-faceted food operators Foodee Global Concepts group, shared his thoughts on scaling up and expansion.  Known for their popular restaurant brands like Pound by Todd English (for more on Pound by Todd English, see my earlier posts, Burger Love at Pound by Todd English and Burgers and Sliders with the T. E. Touch at Pound by Todd English), Mesa (more on Mesa on my previous posts, 41 Going On 50: Mesa Filipino Moderne Opens at Powerplant Mall and Beating the Rains and Traffic with Sinigang and Kare-Kare at Mesa Filipino Moderne ), Kam's Roast (see my post, Now Roasting: Hong Kong's Michelin Star Kam's Roast Opens in Manila), The Food Hall, Flatterie, Tim Ho Wan and many more, it would seem that Eric Dee has quite a handful, but there's just no time to slow down for this determined entrepreneur. For Eric Dee, expansion is vital in remaining relevant to their customers.

Three distinct views on expansion in the competitive restaurant business offer fertile ground for discussions. Guests shared their own experience with their day-to-day operations, gaining insights from other guests with common experiences...

...culminated by a light and casual gathering among friends.

The casual yet engaging format makes Conversations Over Coffee by Nespresso one of the most innovative and insightful gatherings yet, and this is just the first in a series...

That afternoon, Discovery Primea's Executive Chef Luis Chikiamco and his team served some of Flame Restaurant's favorites...

...from Fresh Crab Spring Rolls filled with succulent crab, sweet mangoes, refreshing cucumber and a butterscotch miso dip...

...to Crispy Sriracha Chicken on a light and fluffy air pancake, Beef Curry Puff with Togarashi Aioli, Prawn Samosa and many more...

...paired with Nespresso coffee-based cocktails.

It all started with a cup of coffee, followed by a round boozy, alcohol spiked coffee-based cocktails. That's how you end a weekday afternoon, with endless cups of coffee, cocktails and good company.

MJ, Nespresso's master barista, was busy all afternoon long serving endless cups of espresso, latte and cappuccino to guests. But here's the beauty of the Nespresso system, the ease and convenience of the pod/capsule system allows anyone to masterfully prepare a perfect cup of coffee every time, all the time, even at home.

One last cup of coffee, and the guests prepared to complete and finish the day's business of their many food ventures. If the warm smiles and camaraderie that afternoon were any indication of the success for the first Conversations Over Coffee by Nespresso, you can expect another round soon...

For more on Nespresso, check out their FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/nespresso/.

Flame is located at the 16th Floor of Discovery Primea, 6749 Ayala Avenue, Makati City or call (632) 955-8888 local 71610 for reservations and inquiries.

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