This year, three top talented chefs from the Philippines are here in Sydney especially for the food festival. The lovely, talented and humble Rodito I. Dimatera, whom I met today is the Head Chef of world renowned Filipino seafood restaurant and caterers Via Mare, will be leading the team with Benjamin Zabala, Native Delicacies Chef for Via Mare, and Leandro Ternida Templonuevo, Sous Chef accompanying him. Each chef is responsible for different segments of this tantalising and colourful buffet. Well done Chefs!
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| Head Chef of The Flavours of The Philippines buffet, Rodito I. Dimatera |
What is Filipino food? It is rare to see Filipino restaurants in Sydney or anywhere in Australia for that matter so this festival is a real treat for those who want to enjoy a feast on something different with friends and family. With an abundance of cultural influences, this archipelago has formed a rich culinary identity. Blessed with an abundance of seafood, tropical fruits and a distinct use of naturally sour and salty flavours, Filipino food is a subtle mix of its Asian neighbours as well as featuring influences from its early Spanish colonisation. A fusion of Chinese, Malaysian and Spanish cuisine defines Filipino food. A beautiful exotic mix, and wait to you see dessert….my favourite!
Chef Rodito I. Dimatera, Head Chef of Via Mare in the Philippines said, “I am honoured to have this opportunity to represent the Philippines and our amazing selection of food by bringing you the Flavours of the Philippines Food Festival and sharing our culinary delights. In the Philippines, food and eating is an integral part of our daily lives and it is customary to eat 5 small meals a day. We hope that during this festival, you can taste the diversity of our food from over 120 different ethnic groups.” The Head Chef has travelled around the world to share his wonderful talent of cooking up Filipino dishes and we are lucky to have him and his team in Sydney this year.
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| The Head Chef’s favourite pick from the Cold Buffet, green mango salad |
Flavours of the Philippines Food festival serves an array of exotic and aromatic dishes over the two week food festival. Lunch and dinner will be served buffet style in the historic Grace Brasserie.
I hope you enjoy the visual feast of photos I took today of the buffet…hungry yet? You’ll enjoy it more by heading over to The Grace Hotel for this unique feast.
Some of the food that will be served includes:
Appetizers and Salads
Banana Hearts in Vinaigrette with Seaweed (Ensaladang Puso ng Saging)
Pork Crackling with Roasted Baby Tomato and Arugula Salad (Ensaladang Bagnet)
Crab Salad with Mango (Alimango at Mangga)
Hot Buffet
Milkfish Stuffed with Tomatoes and Onions
Steamed Prawns (Halabos na Hipon)
Chicken Estofado with Mango
Braised Pork Belly (Humba)
Carving Station
Roast Sirloin with Calamansi and Onion (Bistek Tagalog)
Dessert
Cassava Bibingka
Caramel Custard (Leche Flan)
Crisp Banana Rolls with Sesame seeds (Turones de Saba)
Halo-Halo Station (Melange of Sweetened Fruits and Pulses)
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| Head Chef’s Hot Buffet Pick: Chicken Estofado with Mango…true Filipino food |
Where?
The Grace Brassiere – Level 2, The Grace Hotel, 77 York St, Sydney NSW 2000
When?
7-24 August 2014.
For Bookings?
Call 02 9272 6670 or email: restaurant.reservations@gracehotel.com.au
Cost?
$38* lunch buffet, Tuesday to Friday (12:00pm – 2:00pm)
$48* dinner buffet, Friday and Saturday only (6:00pm – 9:00pm)
$48* lunch buffet, Sunday (12.30pm-2.30pm)
*Price is per person
#Limited space is available
Website?
www.gracehotel.com.au.
Sponsors: The Grace Hotel, Philippine Department of Tourism and Cebu Pacific Air.
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| Head Chef’s Dessert Buffet pick: Halo-Halo Station (Melange of Sweetened Fruits and Pulses) |
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| The welcoming and friendly restaurant manager of The Grace Hotel, Boonyiam Surinpaeng |
