CHOCOLATE EXCELLENCE

The theme was Chocolat Decadence but the result was Chocolate Excellence. That was at the latest fellowship dinner of La Chaine des Rotisseurs in Cebu.

Michel Lhuillier, baili delegue of the gourmet organization, was beaming over the huge success of the event, held at the cavernous ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

GM Anders Halden had planned, and brought about, an event of the first magnitude for over 100 guests. They milled around the foyer sipping varied drinks and feasting on delicious finger food, like minute cones filled with salmon carpaccio.

Food is an important factor for La Chaine dedicated as it is to gastronomy at its best. And at its most innovative, we might add.

For this dinner Cebu’s Chocolate Queen Raquel Choa had been harnessed to work out with the hotel’s chefs a very special menu.

Every dish had the element of chocolate. The conclusion to the dinner was a chocolate buffet where guests got their fill – or fix – for the rest of the night, as it developed into a dancing party.

Entertainment was provided throughout the banquet, performed on a circular stage set in the midst of the ballroom, from where radiated the tables.

The table centerpieces were most imaginative. Everyone had an orchid to bring home, and if they chose to, a hug cacao fruit. Amparito Lhuillier, Teresin Mendezona, and Vivina Yrastorza were most amused, not to mention Dr. Nestor Alonso who appreciates all these details.

There was a dance number wherein Michel performed with a bevy of pretty ladies, among them Anna Leah Blanco of the ML office in Reclamation.

Our photos today give you an idea of how it was, even as we note the next event for Cebu’s La Chaine on Saturday, October 19 at Enye, the Spanish restaurant at the Crimson Resort in Mactan.

Elmera Abellanosa of the Chaine secretariat is busy these days with the reservations that are pouring in.

Enye may be ample and air conditioned, and can seat 100. Chef Chele Gonzalez, who has worked with well known chefs in Spain, is coming to Cebu from Manila to prepare the food for this singular occasion – A Tapas & Wines Dinner that will transport the dinners to Spain.

Of course there will be a carving station for jamon serrano, a live station for cheviche (another word for kinilaw), stations for Paella Negra, and Pork Ribs Paella, and lots more.

After the October 19 event, next for La Chaine in Cebu is the anniversary gala at the recently inaugurated grand ballroom of JPark Island Resort and Water Park.

And after that? That will be another gala to induct new members and cite promotions, probably held at the ballroom of the Radisson Blu Hotel, in March 2020.

Maria Presa Apares, Merle Escalona, Jerome Escalona, Teresin Mendezona And Amparito Lhuillier (Seated).

(L-R) Dave Sharpe, Dr. Nestor Alonso, Teresin Mendezona, Raquel Choa And Michel Lhuillier.

(L-R) Amparito Lhuillier, Hans Eulenhoefer, Johanna Borromeo, GM Stephan Sieberg (Radisson Blu) and Nicole Borromeo.

(Standing L-R) Fritz Strolz and Jimmy Picornell (Seating L-R) Angie Mathieu, Pearle Strolz and Jaime Picornell

(L-R) Andrew Catalan, Leslie Woller, Elmera Abellanosa and Dr. Nestor Alonso.

Marco and Mariles Nable, Josephine and Federico Borromeo

(L-R) Claudette Garcia, Michel Lhuillier, Daniela Malinao and GM Efren Belarmino

GM Brian Connely (Marco Polo Plaza), Jane Cambungay and Chef Juanito Abangan

GM Stephan Sieberg (Radisson Blu).

GM Efren Belarmino (Plantation Bay Resort & Spa)

Michael Smith And Andrea Agarwal

Dr. Vivina Yrastorza and GM Anders Hallden (Waterfront Hotel)

Elena Palacio and Luis Echarry

Stella Bernabe

Michel Lhuillier danced the opening number. At right Is Anna Leah Blanco