Wow, a whole convention center filled with sweet treats,” exclaimed Yvette Fernandez, Town & Country editor in chief, as she entered the SMX Convention Center at SM Aura for the launch of Inquirer Lifestyle’s first ever book, “Best Desserts.”
Indeed, the convention center was packed not only with people, but also with a dizzying array of desserts, from Belgian chocolate truffles, cakes and tortes to macarons and ice cream, spread out in tables dressed in rich, lovely colors with lampshades, flowers, balls and dainty cake pedestals as primary accents.
More than 50 top dessert makers brought generous samplings of their best desserts, plus more samplings of other sweet treats for guests to partake and enjoy.
Guests couldn’t resist Gigi Gaerlan’s chewy and creamy custaroons; the satiny smooth Quezo de Bola cheesecake of Cory Untalan’s Cru Kitchen; as well as Chinggay Lising’s Mango Samurai, generously laden with sweet slices of mango covered in crepe and cream.
Others swooned over chef Myke Giovan Sarthou’s pandan- flavored pichi-pichi drizzled with grated quezo de bola; the LJC Group’s tempting suman and mangga drenched in melted macapuno ice cream; Fina Quimson’s pie-like bibingka malagkit with loads of latik on top; and Dedet de la Fuente’s super suman which was sinfully peppered with all kinds of childhood goodies—Choc Nut, yema, macapuno, etc.
There was also Razon’s halo-halo from Guagua, Pampanga, famous now but still simplicity at its best—just sweetened saba, macapuno, milk and leche flan.
Chocolate overload
Ginny Gonzales offered scoops of Ferrero ice cream, while Cara Mia by Amici had beautifully crafted artisan gelato cakes.
It was a chocolate-overload afternoon, with Gladys Mallillin’s multilayer deep, dark chocolate cake; Joy Roxas’ salted caramel-filled cupcakes and deadly Nutella-filled cupcakes; Karen’s Kitchen’s bittersweet chocolate ganache; and Sinfully Circles’ rich and dense flourless chocolate cake.
The fruit-flavored treats had their own share of patrons who kept coming back for more servings: the Orange Cheesecake of The Vegetarian Kitchen, whose table was manned by Tita Soliongco’s amiable children Kiko and Camille; Moist Carrot Cake with cream cheese frosting of Yvette Hipolito; to-die-for strawberry charlotte of Sweet Bella; and the rustic apple pie of Angel’s Kitchen.
To wash down the sweets, hot cups of coffee were served by Cravings and Richmonde Hotel.
The desserts’ creators were feted and given certificates of appreciation by Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, Inquirer president and chief executive officer; JV Rufino, director for mobile/
Inquirer books; Thelma Sioson San Juan, Inquirer Lifestyle editor; and this writer.
The event was hosted by Tessa Prieto-Valdes.
“Best Desserts: Inquirer Lifestyle Most-Read Ultimate List,” is available at all National Book Store branches and PowerBooks.
PHOTOS BY ANDREW TADALAN AND ARNOLD ALMACEN
