WHEN MY BURGER MOMENTS come, they are usually dependent on whether my buds are in search of the real ?bloody?-beef-tasting patties or beef burger patties that are seasoned to perfection.

Recently, driving around and looking for a place to have a quick bite, I found myself in White Plains staring at a simple sign that said Crave Burger.

I gave it a try, first contemplating on the double patty. You can just imagine how much I love meat and how thick I want my burgers, simply to get the beefy taste I want.

I later decided it was best to take just a single patty. I remembered my diet, somehow.

The burger served was huge! The first bite, fantastic! Crave burgers belong to the perfectly seasoned type, a perfect stand-alone patty with little need for condiments.

Then, I recalled how much I loved Tropical Hut hamburgers in my youth. Crave is somehow ?it,? but the Rolls Royce version?beefier, tastier, each bite a wonderful mouthful. Pleasantly juicy till the last bite.

According to the owner, Senin M. Javellana, it was the ?passion for burgers? that drove him to open Crave?s first branch, a 25-sq m space in Smallville, Iloilo City, in 2007.

Three years after, Crave has found its way to Manila. As Javellana puts it, they are ?capturing the rest of the country through the stomach,? as they opened their first branch in Metro Manila in White Plains, Quezon City, in January; a second branch in BF Homes International, Las Piñas, in February; and soon, they will open their third branch in BF Resort, Las Piñas, this month.

For me, Javellana?s is the perfect lasang-Pinoy burger, with the matching ?burp,? that I will surely crave for over and over again.

Want a Crave burger or craving for a franchise? Call Sen Javellana at 7093085 or 0922-3187589.

Gelato

What could be more perfect for the summer heat than gelato? Especially if the gelato is made by chef Cyrille Courant.

Chef Courant, gold medalist for chocolate showpiece (Salon Culinaire International de Londres, February 2006), will be in town March 16 for a one-day gelato and patisserie event.

Learn the techniques to gelato-, gelato cake-, yogurt- and sorbet-making. He will also demonstrate desserts, pastries and beverages.

It?s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Call Hanna or Teresa for inquiries and reservation at 5311990, 5312138, 5338314. Slots are limited.

Bocuse d?Or Asia finals

It is the time of year when we should all say a prayer, keep our fingers crossed and wish team LTB Philippines luck as they compete in the Bocuse d?Or Asia finals on March 17 in Shanghai, China.

The Bocuse d?Or is one of the world?s most prestigious culinary competitions, founded in 1987 by renowned French chef Paul Bocuse. It brings together the best chefs from all over the world to Lyon, France, to celebrate French cuisine.

Filipino chef Ariel Manuel will be up against the best Asian chefs from Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand, India and Cambodia.

Only the top four of the Bocuse d?Or Asia finals will have a right to compete against the top 24 teams of the world at the Bocuse d?Or World Finals in Lyon, France, in January 2011.

Lolo Dad?s chef patron Ariel Manuel and apprentice TJ Abello have three hours to prepare 14 portions of their selected menu: Norwegian Halibut with King Crab, accompanied by Foie Gras en Croute and Asparagus and Caviar Custard. This dish will be presented on a specially designed platter made by metal artist Mike Aguas. Head coach for this team is French chef Cyrille Soenen of Restaurant Cicou, joined by chefs Othmar Frei of Santis/Werdenberg, Fernando Aracama of Encore/Canteen/MyThai and J. Gamboa of Cirkulo and Milkyway Restaurants.

Since 2007, the LTB Philippines Culinary Team has had great success at culinary competitions in Hong Kong and Singapore winning top prizes and numerous medals and trophies for the Philippines. LTB is committed to the training and development of the Filipino professional chef.

My summer class schedules, which include Classes for Kids, My Yaya-My Cocinera, Cooking for Teens and Beginners, to mention a few, are now out. For reservations and copy of the schedules, call 9289296, 9273008, 6474744, 0908-2372346.