California Pizza Kitchen Celebrates National Pizza Day!

Global Restaurant Concepts Inc. (GRC) unveiled its first restaurant concept with California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) in the Philippines in 1997.  It was the first international franchise to be granted by the US pizza chain.  Sixteen years and ten branches later, CPK continues to dominate the premium pizza restaurant experience by opening two more outlets before the year ends.

CPK’s tenth restaurant begins serving in August at the ground floor of Eastwood Mall in time for the CPK-established celebration of National Pizza Day.  Since last year, the restaurant has started commemorating by giving away free pizza with every pizza order.  The one-day event has drawn up lines of diners outside each restaurant.

BreadTalk and Toast Box Opens at SM Aura Premier

There are more reasons you can enjoy the posh environment of SM Aura Premier. It's because BreadTalk and Toast Box has unveiled their first merged store giving it a lot of space for customers and the convenience of enjoying another cuisine in one stop!

It was in 2004 when BreadTalk welcomed Filipinos to variety of unique an innovative selections of bread and pastries by opening their first store in Glorietta 4, Ayala Center. 9 years later, BreadTalk has not only become a household name but it is also one of the most trusted brands in th industry by keeping with the latest trends while maintaining high quality standards that guarantee customer satisfaction each and every time.

Spreading the Joy of Healthy Living

Anywhere you look, there are gyms, fitness centers, yoga parlors, among countless other establishments, that promote physical movement and active lifestyle. People are now more conscious of keeping fit and staying within their ideal weight. Part of staying healthy is, of course, diet. Quick to adapt every diet fad that comes their way—South Beach, Atkin’s and Mediterranean—they won’t mind spending a little bit extra for organic and healthier options.

One food option that they can integrate into their diet is probably something that they have loved while growing up and is readily available on the dining table or the cupboard: Lily’s Peanut Butter. Yes, the iconic local brand that has delighted the palate of generations of Filipinos can fit into a reportaire of tasty, organic and healthy food sources. Have a listen.

Savor and enjoy the best Spanish wines at Club Punta Fuego

The flavors of Rioja Spanish wines make a night at Club Punta Fuego even more memorable and special: through a parternship with the Wine Depot, the world’s best wines--starting with the high-quality wines of Spain’s Rioja region--now grace the tables and thrill the palates of dinner guests.

The partnership between Clube Punta Fuego and the Wine Depot is meant to give diners nothing less than the best dining experience: the world’s best wines are expertly paired with international gourmet fare. The benefits of this partnership are brought to life in special wine-tasting and food-pairing events dubbed, “Sip and Savor” that are happening in 2013 at Club Punta Fuego. 

Fundamentals of Food & Beverage Service

ATTENTION: CALLING ALL STUDENTS, INDIVIDUALS AND ASPIRING BARISTA.

JOIN, EXPLORE & PARTICIPATE...

Fundamentals of Food & Beverage Service - BARISTA TRAINING (Coffee Seminar)

When: August 1, 2, 5 & 6, 2013

8:00am-12:00nn / 2:00pm-6:00pm

Where: Fleur de lis Cafe - St.Paul University Manila

HRM Training Center

Registration Fee: P550.00 (Non-Member) P450 (Member)

See Poster for more details or contact 0915-3327311

Entrepreneur Magazine launches the Next Big Food Entrepreneur Challenge

In its quest to lend support to those who dream big and hope to contribute to the country through their enterprising capabilities, Entrepreneur Magazine announces the extension of Solane’s Next Big Food Entrepreneur Challenge. Running on its second year, the contest is in partnership with Solane LPG and Mercato Centrale Philippines.

Last year’s winners were husband-and-wife team Ping and Jewel Joven of Ping Gu Mushroom Fries and JR Inciong of Mocktail Madness for the student’s category. They bested other entrants who aspired to be the first Next Big Food Entrepreneur.

The contest is open to all amateur and professional food entrepreneurs, 18 years old and above, who are residing in the Philippines. It is also open to teams composed of three (3) persons who are eligible to join.

Contestants undergo three steps: the Food Taste Test; Food Selling; and Submission of Business Plans. The individual or team that garner the highest-scored business plan shall win a cash prize worth P100,000 tax free, a six (6) month rent-free stall in Mercato or Soderno, and a feature in Entrepreneur and Yummy Magazines.

FOOD STOPS: Bulgogi Brothers SM Mall of Asia

Well we will take a break from Thai, American, Japanese for now as I stop over to Korean Cuisine with Bulgogi Brothers located in SM Mall of Asia. And with this stop we also got to check out new on their menu that gives more diverse choices aside from the Beef Bulgogi and Kimchi.

Well speaking of Kimchi, I admit I am not a fan of it because I used to be a sweet fan forever, but being exposed to many spicy cuisines like Thai and Singaporean converted me to appreciate the flavorful taste of spices. And knowing that Korean food involves spicy choices, then I guess its time to be love kimchi.

New Treats from Angel's Pizza

The rainy season might have started as well as the new school year and this means people would like to have more convinience with their everyday activities as well as something new that the half of the year can offer. Angel's Pizza heard our prayers and is giving out a lot of new offers and great deals that will truly makes customers excited.

Let us start with the newest pizza flavor which is the Chicken Parmigiana, a mixture of fresh chicken, tomatoes, bell pepper and cheese. Simple yet satisfying treat and a good alternative to the common pizza flavors of beef and ham. Available in hand-tossed and thin crust, this pizza also reminded me of the chicken parmigiana Breaded Chicken Bowl which is my favorite.

Mercato Centrale Brings ‘Food Tourism’ to SM Mall of Asia this July

Did you know that one of top tourist destinations in Manila is the SM Mall of Asia (MOA)? And what’s one of the best ways to welcome foreign guests to one of Manila’s top tourist destinations?  By sharing with them a variety of great-tasting dishes from different parts of the Philippines!

That’s why the Mercato Centrale group, the organizers of Metro Manila’s premier night food and lifestyle markets, is bringing a new ‘food destination’ experience to the SM Mall of Asia By the Bay with Fiesta Bahia – ‘the food tourism’ market – every Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting July 12 (Friday) from 4pm to 3am.

Take the Plunge and Bring Back the Fun in Risk Taking

Risks. At one point or another, we have all craved for an adventure.

We have all wished for moments that take our breath away, and situations where we stretch ourselves, pushing our limits and living to tell the tale.

Taking risks empower us. It allows us to get to know ourselves, and most importantly, to discover parts of ourselves we didn’t even know existed. It is also essential in staying young. By taking risks, we allow ourselves to be childlike again, simply taking the plunge without hesitation or worse, overthinking.

Risk-taking doesn’t have to be life-changing, but it has to be radical enough to matter. You don’t need to suddenly switch careers or pack your bags, and leave everyone behind. You can start small.

Sometimes, taking risks is as simple as taking up a new sport or going on a new adventure on a weekend with your closest friends. For foodies, taking risks mean dining in new restaurants and for movie buffs, watching a new genre is taking movie watching on an entirely different experience. The risk you take is when you dare to step out of your comfort zone. Visit new places, talk to new people. You will never know how enriched your life would be unless you step out and take an entirely different direction.

Mercato Centrale is coming to Pampanga this June

Mercato Centrale Invites Pampanga and Central Luzon-based food entrepreneurs

The Mercato Centrale Group is bringing the premier food and lifestyle night market experience to the culinary center of the Philippines – Angeles City, Pampanga in Ayala's Marquee Mall! 

“We’re inviting food entrepreneurs from Manila, Pampanga and the surrounding provinces of Central Luzon to join our newest market - Cocina Centrale! It will be a culinary showdown where the best of Pampanga will meet the best of Manila!” said RJ Ledesma, co-founder of the Mercato Centrale Group.

AQUABEST, RCFBGC LAUNCHES NEW BOTTLE RECYCLING PROJECT

Aquabest the country's premier water refilling franchise has partnered with the Rotary Club of Fort Bonifacio Global City to launch the Eco-Bin Project a recycling and livelihood program. Launching the project are (LtoR)Rotary Club of Fort Bonifacio Global City First Class President Glen de Guzman, Aquabest Brand Manager Paul Tan, and Rotary International District 3830 First Class Governor Robert F. Kuan. 

Trash will turn to treasure as Aquabest teams up with the Rotary Club of Fort Bonifacio Global City (RCFBGC) in a bid to aid impoverished Filipinos while encouraging recycling efforts throughout the country.

Tame the mid-year madness with Nestea RTD

June is a time of transitions in the Philippines. It signals the end of summer and the start of the school year. It’s the month when we declared our independence from colonial rule. It is the halfway point to a year that was hopefully good and is just about to get better.

So how to cope with this high-stress period of mid-year, when everything – from school starting to mid-year office reviews to higher-volume traffic turns your comfortable home ground into a battleground?

Start by taking the year not as halfway done, but halfway there. With this glass half-full perspective, it’s a great time to create new habits and start refreshed – after all, there’s six more months to go before we start anew.

Take time to relax. If you took the first half of the year at breakneck speed, accumulating leaves and not taking any sick days, then you’ve banked enough goodwill to take a break. School just starting? Read ahead and be ready. Don’t stress out just as the year begins. There will be plenty of time to do that between now and exam time.

Get off the beaten path. Bored with the same old day-in-, day-out monotony? Get ready to break out and do small things to spice things up. Change your route going to work or school, find a new hangout to unwind, even learn a new song for the monthly videoke session.