When in Manila, international celebrity chefs like Anna Olson makes sure that she treats the local foodies with some of her best cuisines!
Last December 3, 2012, I got the chance to join an intimate lunch with the amazing chef at Heat, EDSA Shangrila Hotel as she served her best dishes. This is also in promotion of her TV shows, namely, ‘Bake with Anna Olson’, and ‘Sugar and Fresh with Anna Olson’; all of which are shown at the Asian Food Channel.
Chilled Grilled Seafood Salad
As I read the menu initially, with these authentic and never been before heard cuisines, I was all so stoked already! Chef Olson started the event with a demonstration of how her “Chilled Grilled Seafood Salad” is prepared; a dish which was totally light and refreshing. Also, she demonstrated how ‘Sweet Potato Soup with Coconut Milk and Ginger” recipe is cooked. Chef Olson is a major fan of our local ingredients like the coconut and the sweet potato (camote); both of which she used in preparing the soup. It was a fast and simple dish, which is perfect for anyone who’s always in the rush! The soup was sweet, foamy and overall very rich in flavor because of the sweet potato.
I really loved how Chef Olson interacts with her audience throughout the process. It was like we were listening to a very close pal and she’s cooking our favorite dish! She’s definitely one of chefs to love!
Arugula Salad with Pineapple, Pine Nuts and Piave Cheese
After the short cooking demos, the other cuisines in the menu were served. There was then “Arugula Salad with Pineapple, Pine Nuts and Piave Cheese” served in the table! I am not a fan of salad dishes but this I should say is special! There were just various tastes playing around the food! It was the perfect choice for the vegetarians out there.
Roasted Rack of Lamb with Date Salsa Three-Onion Couscous and Vegetable Tagine
After that, we wolf down the “Roasted Rack of Lamb with Date Salsa Three-Onion Couscous and Vegetable Tagine” for the main course! The flavor of the lamb was enriched with the various ingredients put on the dish. And I liked the fact that the after-taste you get when you eat lamb was being overshadowed by the taste of the ingredients utilized in the dish.
Warm Chocolate Orange Truffle with Salted Caramel Sauce and French Vanilla Ice Cream
Then the desserts came in which were just overwhelmingly epic! I’m a huge dessert fan and I couldn’t be thankful enough to have tasted those heaven-sent sweets! Each dessert has its own unique taste and quality! Among the many desserts that were being served, I chose to eat “Charlotte Royale”, “Strawberry cream tarts” and the “Warm Chocolate Orange Truffle with Salted Caramel Sauce and French Vanilla Ice Cream”. I was in cloud 9! It was the perfect conclusion to one of the most awesome dining experiences I had so far this year!
Of course it was awesome because it was served by a chef who has spent her fifteen years in the culinary field. When asked what she prefers more, cooking or baking, she answered, “I love baking because of the satisfaction I get from the process. I rather do something small but rich dishes.”
with Canadian chef Anna Olson
Furthermore, I could say that it was really such a great opportunity to try Canadian dishes, especially when they were prepared by one of the most famous chefs in the world! More to that, we don’t get to taste Canadian cuisines that often, compare to French, American and Italian which are just everywhere here in Manila. Chef Olson shared that Canadian recipes are actually inspired by the many cultures that influenced Canadian cooking. I guess that’s the reason why the cuisines I have tasted that day were diverse and rich; transporting me to total food euphoria; a moment I would like to relive over and over again.
Catch Anna Olson on Asian Food Channel
Visit Heat at Edsa Shangrila Hotel for fine dishes
For restaurants and reservations call (632) 633 8888 local 2777.
An intimate lunch with chef Anna Olson
