PH Celebrity Chefs Present Modern Twists to Filipino Food Classics at Cooking Demo in Hague
Filipino Celebrity Chefs Rolando and Jacqueline Laudico. (The Hague PE Photo)
THE HAGUE 22 June 2023 — Filipino celebrity Chefs Rolando "Lau" and Jacqueline "Jac" Laudico showcased their culinary expertise and unique spin on Filipino food classics at a cooking demonstration held on 16 June 2023 at the Rizal Courtyard of the Philippine Embassy in Hague as part the Embassy's commemorative activities for the 125th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence.
In her welcome remarks, Mme. Rena Cristina Koa-Malaya M.D., spouse of Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya, described the Philippines as a treasure trove of culinary delights. “The Philippines is a foodie paradise in view of exquisite ingredients nurtured by its rich soil, varied topography and exposure to various culinary traditions,” Mme. Koa-Malaya said. Renowned Chefs Andrew Zimmern and Anthony Bourdain had called Filipino food the “next big thing.”
Chef Lau delighted the guests with his version of beef tenderloin steak – “bistek Tagalog” – flavored with soy sauce, onions and calamansi (Philippine lime) and served on sinangag (Filipino fried rice) garlic rice wrapped in pechay (snow cabbage). Chef Jac’s presentation of rice cake "suman,” layered with coconut panna cotta and Philippine mangoes, was also much appreciated.
“We do cooking demonstrations abroad whenever opportunity arises, as we would like to introduce Filipino cuisines to various audiences. It has always been our advocacy to spread Filipino flavors globally,” Chef Lau said.
The event was attended by some 40 Filipino and Dutch hotel chefs, restaurateurs, owners of food-related businesses, members and spouses of diplomatic corps and international organizations, and vloggers.
After the cooking demonstration, guests were treated to a 4-course fine dining experience at the Embassy's Kalayaan and Bengzon Halls. Chef Lau and Chef Jac’s menu included "sinigang," a sour tamarind and miso fish soup with mustard greens, and "ensalada," a mix of grilled eggplant on mesclun greens with dried and ripe mangoes, smoked tinapa (smoked fish), tomatoes, and fresh cheese in salted egg dressing, in addition to “bistek Tagalog” and “suman.”
In a Facebook comment, Dutch vlogger Pinoy Planet said, "Enjoyed it a lot! Maraming salamat po (Thank you very much). The food was amazing, and the atmosphere was great."
Tani Morabe also said, “The cooking team of restaurateur Chef Lau and his patisserie wife was quite accomplished and the lunch served was exquisite and a definitive winner. The Dutch chefs were likewise very appreciative and impressed. The scheme of a Filipino cooking presentation was a great tie-up as one of the projects to celebrate our 125th year Independence.”
After the luncheon, Chef Lau and Chef Jac had a book signing for their book "Chef Laudico: Flips Out!" The book contains Filipino recipes with the couple's exciting twists. The culinary duo runs several businesses in the Philippines, including Chef Laudico Guevarra's, OK Café, Patisserie Filipino, and Chef Laudico catering. For more information, follow Chef Lau and Chef Jac on Facebook and Instagram at @cheflau and @chefjaclaudico. END
Mme. Rena Cristina Koa-Malaya, M.D. (The Hague PE Photo)
Ambassador J. Eduardo Malaya (5th from left) with the chefs in attendance – Cayetano Morabe, Aitor Rios de Miguel, Ben Luteijn, Jacqueline Laudico, Rolando Laudico, Hans Weber, Bas Hoog and Reynorr Samson. (The Hague PE Photo)
For more information, visit https://www.thehaguepe.dfa.gov.ph or https://www.facebook.com/PHinTheNetherlands/.