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.