ARTICLE SERVICES            Reprint this article     Print this article       Send as an e-mail     Send Feedback       Post a comment       RELATED STORIES   Nedy Tantoco named Rustan’s president The Big Apple dresses up in barong Finally, a clinic for bags! GALLERY 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next   Zoom    MIA Borromeo, Barbara Aboitiz, Frannie Jacinto and Cristina Bradner Zoom    CHRIS Badiola, Ningning Cojuangco-Yulo and Arthur Manuntad Zoom    RENAISSANCE Hotel’s dynamic team: Sujeet Kumar, director of operations; chef John Webster; Javi Berenguer-Testa, restaurant director; Monique Trinidad Toda, communication director; GM Stephan Stoss; Cristy Carrion, marketing director; and Edwin Macapagal, restaurant manager Zoom    AMBASSADOR John and Pilina Rocha Zoom    AND the grand chef champion was … Team Manille: Christian Werdenberg of Sofitel Philippine Plaza; Karl Heinz Krautler, Makati Shangri-La Hotel Manila; Bill McGrath, Taal Vista Hotel; Adam Mathis, The Peninsula Manila; and Patrick Fournes, Hotel Intercontinental Manila Zoom    JUDGES and the emcee. Petty Officer First Class Steven Stacyszyn, HMCS Ottawa senior cook; ABS-CBN’s David Celdran; Vivian Lo, Cathay Pacific country manager; emcee Capt. Angela James; Claude Tayag, chef and food columnist; and Inquirer chair Marixi Rufino Prieto Zoom    CEBU Hilton’s Manny Osmeña and Canadian Embassy charge d’affaires Nick Oosterveen Action Start By Ruel S. De Vera Associate Editor MY father is many things—engineer, businessman, intellectual—but he is also something rare: a connoisseur of bad action movies. Th ...More 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend Hope in uncertainty Wear your school spirit–but in style Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic I am no Michael Jackson fan PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone French delights Inner beauty Cervical cancer: ladies’ malady Cures for post-acne mark, dry feet, cellulite More Stories » Showbiz and Style Why a bachelor like me chose to adopt Elevating the ‘toyomansi’ barbecue Instant noodles are not balanced meals Oils that help remove body toxins Deep-fried foods lower body energy Documenting heritage Wife nags husband about past infidelity Running the marathon for a healthy lifestyle Doña Maria is perfect for ‘bagoong’ rice Be practical–but keep the style Showbiz and Style Interesting stories about Michael Jackson Family comes first for Marvin Agustin King of Pop may be viewed in glass casket I am no Michael Jackson fan Fans urged to stay away from Jackson memorial Both a blessing and a curse 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend Diet collapses, now out of danger ‘Sad' Madonna plans Jackson tribute Being fit boosts Bea's confidence Sandra Bullock pulls off big surprise ‘Katrina, Aljur deserve a break’   Showbiz and Style Most Read RSS Jayceekay Stationers & Engravers Look for: Caroline L. Paspe Tel. No.: 817.6384 or 817.6786 Instant Rewards! Buy Donaldson filters. Redeem your dream holidays, electronic gadgets etc...  OTHER COLUMNS Lotus Pond - Bismark : Inner beauty / S. Bismark Street Smart : PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone / Mandy Navasero Medical Files : Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic / Rafael Castillo, MD Discovery : Hope in uncertainty / Massie Santos Ballon Without Batting An Eyelash : Designers inspired by Bombay Sapphire / Maurice Arcache Makeover 911 : Cures for post-acne mark, dry feet, cellulite / Kinny Salas Kitchen Rescue : ‘Dinuguan’ and other food finds in Bulacan / Reggie Aspiras

MANILA, Philippines—Flashy cars lined up the front of the Renaissance Makati. In the lobby, the invitees were making their grand entrance on the red carpet. They were there to attend the fab opening and launching of M2M and Cinnabar, the new restaurant and bar lounge of the Renaissance, dahlings.

The dazzling bash had a young Hollywood theme. Handpicked models were made up to look like celebrities such as Amy Winehouse, Ne-Yo, Beyoncé, Angelina Jolie, David Beckham, Paris Hilton.

Guests were given a tour of M2M and Cinnabar. Invitees marvelled at the exclusive private dining room, bar lounge and the incredible Wine Room, which has 1,200 wine bottles from all over the world adorning the walls. The tour was conducted by the statuesque Joey Mead, dahlings.
M2M means “morning to midnight” and is the hotel’s lifestyle restaurant. Cinnabar is an elegant lounge and bar.

The night bustled with invitees from old society and the new guard, from business, government, fashion, and even show biz. They were all welcomed by the hotel’s dynamic GM, Stephan Stoss, director for operations Sujeet Kumar, communications director Monique Toda, and director for restaurants, el simpatico Javi Berenguer-Testa.

The hotel’s top chefs indulged the guests with M2M’s six buffets overflowing with lobster, lamb, roast beef, and a wide selection of calorific desserts, palanggas.

Adding a dash of class to this super happening were the hip jazz band Sinosikat and Tribu Manila, who entertained the chi-chi crowd way, way past 3 a.m., dahlings.

At the fabulous party were Jojo Zabarte, Bob and Elsie Colombo, Ayala’s Javi and Teresa Hernandez, Intramuros Administration head Bambi Harper, Juan Jose and Miren Berenguer-Testa, super couple Ricky and Beng Dee; my pal Pepper Teehankee; Robert and Cecile Lillies; society photographer Rupert and Tina Jacinto; positivism guru George Sison; World of Feng Shui’s Maritess Allen; George and Ces Schultz.

Also there were PLDT honchos Eric Recto and Jay Lagdameo; Peng and Vicky Perez de Tagle; cool couple Elbert and Liza Cuenca; Chito Melo, with Monch Cruz; lawyer Lito Tayag and Absinthe’s Cristine San Diego.

The young and the beautiful were there such as Lexi Berenguer-Testa; and irresistible brothers Bernard and Miko Palanca.

Handsome Paolo Araneta was with his steadier than steady date, gorgeous Heart Evangelista.

Also present were Armand and Georgia del Rosario, plus other namedroppables, palanggas.

Cocktails flowed like forever, especially luxurious champagne. No wonder one gorgeous socialite told me the following day that she had to hobble to her car in her five-inch Jimmy Choos. Ooops!

And frankly, she was not the only one moi saw wobbling out of the hotel. But then why not? After all, it was a great party done by Renaissance Makati in grand style, dahlings.

Chefs face off

Ten brilliant executive chefs from Manille and Cebu faced off each other a la “Iron Chef” in a cooking competition organized by the Embassy of Canada. The Canadian Cook-Off and Charity Dinner utilized Canadian ingredients.

“This friendly Iron Chef challenge had 120 being served for dinner, that certainly brought a whole new meaning to dinner,” said Ellen Ruth Zeiler, commercial counselor and senior trade commissioner of the Canadian Embassy.

Team Cebu consisted of Martin Przewodnik (Germany), Alegre Beach Resort; Stefano Verrillo (Italy), Hilton Cebu Resort & Spa; Luke Gagnon (Canada), Marco Polo Plaza Cebu; Emmanuel Guemon (France), Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa; and Joerg Walter (Germany), Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Team Metro Manille was composed of Patrick Fournes (France), Hotel International Manila; Karl Heinz Krautler (Austria), Makati Shangri-La, Manila; Christian Werdenberg (Switzerland), Sofitel Philippine Plaza; Bill McGrath (Canada), Taal Vista Hotel; and Adam Mathis (Australia) of Peninsula Manila.

Manny Osmeña’s Canadian wines formed part of the ingredients.

Canadian ingredients were used because, as Bruce Howard, Canada’s regional trade counselor for agri-food, said, “Quality is in our nature!”

While SGV was tabulating the extremely close fight, the chefs were auctioned off. Each of the winning bidders got a private dinner for four prepared by their chosen chef.

TV host Boy Abunda served as auctioneer, and the auction raised more than P1 million—all for charity, naturellement.

Bantay Bata 163 and the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation Inc. (Eruf) of Cebu City were the beneficiaries, palanggas.

The Canadian Embassy will be launching soon the chefs’ favorite recipes and the winning recipes from the cook-off.

• Nedy Tantoco named Rustan’s president
• The Big Apple dresses up in barong
• Finally, a clinic for bags!

• 10 reasons to watch the UAAP opening weekend
• Hope in uncertainty
• Wear your school spirit–but in style
• Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic
• I am no Michael Jackson fan
• PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone
• French delights
• Inner beauty
• Cervical cancer: ladies’ malady
• Cures for post-acne mark, dry feet, cellulite
• Concept of ‘greenovation’
• Designers inspired by Bombay Sapphire
• Dualtech’s few good men
• ‘Dinuguan’ and other food finds in Bulacan
• Boosting immune system through VCO
• Instant noodles are not balanced meals
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• Lotus Pond - Bismark :  Inner beauty / S. Bismark
• Street Smart :  PWU’s Renaissance woman marks milestone / Mandy Navasero
• Medical Files :  Let Hero tackle the swine flu panic / Rafael Castillo, MD
• Discovery :  Hope in uncertainty / Massie Santos Ballon
• Without Batting An Eyelash :  Designers inspired by Bombay Sapphire / Maurice Arcache
• Makeover 911 :  Cures for post-acne mark, dry feet, cellulite / Kinny Salas
• Kitchen Rescue :  ‘Dinuguan’ and other food finds in Bulacan / Reggie Aspiras