Chefie’s World

It was only mentioned to me a few days before Sunday, but I would be in school anyway since I had my fifth baking session with my skills class. No one could find out so I kept my mouth shut. I only told very close people to me, that’s my Ate, JL, Joey and Sarah, they responded with, “ Who is he anyway?” that’s what I get from people who just love to eat….I also gave a hint to my class that there was going to be a special guest in the restaurant today but never said who it would be, so much drama and secrecy over one person who up till now I am not revealing to all of you. Well, the school was visited by Mr. Kitchen Confidential himself, Anthony Bourdain. Through the kindness of Judai Santos, she wanted the feature done on her to include Chef Gene Gonzales and of course, the school. Even as a bystander during this whole event, it was glorious, they were all preparing for the food for the shoot as well as for a light dinner..

When he arrived, I was briefly introduced to him and all I can say was, heheh…funny but Chef Gene was doing all the talking, it was his moment and I didn’t want to get it from him. The shoot was for his show “ No Reservations” , their episode would talk about different Filipino dishes with some flair and grace on it so some Spanish influenced food were presented and eaten during the more than 40 minutes of eating and talking. Judai was beautiful and charming, thin and just right….no one could hear what they were talking about but what was most important is that we, Filipinos and our food will surely be recognized because of this show. After the long shoot, we had some book signing with all my artista students Beth, Janice and China, I’m enclosing what he signed in my books and had a light dinner with good premium San Miguel Beer. I hear Tony doesn’t stay and eat after a shoot but he did linger and eat with gusto the Cocido that Simon and Vince prepared together with Tarta de Madrid, Tocino del Cielo and Leche Flan using Carabao’s milk. I got to say good bye too and shake his hand again, and his last words were,

“ Thank you, chef!” …..Bobby Chin is next but I can’t make it to this one….have a big dinner to prepare for…

Payard Bistro and Patisserie

I am so loaded with work the past few days, I have class everyday and tons of meeting with people wanting more information about the food business. I have also been savouring good wine the past three days since I have been dining out, the other night at Le Regalade with old chef friends, then with Gino and the students, and last night with my Ate Cynthia andsome great friends who just want to hang around. Forget about the present and let’s talk about the food I ate in New York, it wasn’t as eventful as that of last year but I had a share of worthy to write about food eating….

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your chefie with Alain Sainhac

Jacques Pepin, moving fast I couldnt get a good picture

my idol, James Peterson…

When you are in New York, you can see a lot of things, some you don’t want to see. I got the thrill of my life years ago when I saw Don Johnson hailing a cab in 5th Avenue carrying a Gap bag, I couldn’t even say anything or shout at my mom who was a few yards away from me. Then on the same day, I saw Mariel Hemingway walking her dog in Central Park. This trip I really wanted to see some celebrities so I went on a walking marathon….I just walked and walked and it has been two weeks of walking and no celebrities to catch until………..while visiting Payard Patisserie and Bistro, out from a Jaguar, the beautiful Catherine Deneuve, how regal and graceful and she was just getting out of the car….heheheh….then while I was walking in Madison Avenue in search of a David Yurman Store….guess who was strolling….a Pinay walking a dog but you know what even if I smile at them, they don’t smile back or at least nod the least….most of the Filipinos I saw in New York were not friendly, and I was. Only this Pinoy couple was courteous and I instantly befriended them while I was in the subway, all of us with a big Century 21 shopping bag chatting about how our day was. The eternal question was where to eat good food in Manhattan that’s not expensive…and my answer was Angus Hamburger in Mcdonald’s – it was so good, my underwear fell….( Pinoy translation should be common to you.) When I get home to my hotel and I feel hungry, one piece of my Angus Burger is just right to make me fall asleep.

Yes, I got to see Jacques Pepin, Alain Sailhac and James Peterson, they were very friendly and I could feel so much energy from their presence. They were idols to behold, admire and just stare at, which was what I did most of the time, so Pinoy of me.

While walking in Broadway, Soho area, strolling like a true winner was Fashion Runway’s winner Christian Siriano. I wanted to ask for an autograph but with what I saw, I think it was not one of his good days….

That’s it, my people sights later I write about my food sightings and how I miss Manila while I was in New York and now, how I miss New York now that I am back here………..

I should have done this a week ago, I love to procrastinate… I’ve been back here in Manila for almost 10 days and have hibernated for some time, not letting anyone know that I am once again here, the jet lag has been so bad, only in the last couple of days that it has slowly disappeared. I never really mentioned to you where I was ….I took a trip to New York, New Jersey and Washington DC to renew ties that must be done. My brother and his family stay in Princeton and I decided last year that I would try my best to visit him every year while I still can. During the whole period, I ate, drank and filled my brain with new methods, learning insights to this world I am in.

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