The Marco Polo Plaza Hotel in Cebu had a grand opening of its culinary fair dubbed “Sabores de España-Viva Madrid.” Venue was the hotel’s lobby lounge where stalls had been set up to dispense Spanish specialties tapas-style.
This was the 9th annual edition of the Spanish food festival at the Marco Polo, usually held in July or August. “This year we have done it in April,” said general manager Julie Najar, “to coincide with the Madrid Fusion culinary event in Manila.”
Instead of a ribbon to cut there was an entire jamon Serrano ceremoniously brought in and put on stage to be sliced by Julie with Amigos de España president Amparito Llamas Lhuillier; Gema Luisa Pido, the hotel’s consultant for Spanish cuisine; and Maripaz Perdices, wife of Spain’s honorary consul Anton Perdices who is in Harvard taking up a course.
Amparito, as guest of honor, delivered a spirited speech entirely in Spanish for which she got muchos aplausos.
Highly rated dish
Collecting “enhorabuenas” was Gema Pido for everything she had prepared and served. She had wonderful rapport with the hotel’s executive chef, Stefano Verillo, who is Italian, and happy to have learned a thing or two from her.
The croquetas de bacalao was the most highly rated dish of the evening. “Buenisimas,” said Paqui Aboitiz and Quina Melendez who were the first to arrive.
“Todo perfecto, especialmente el jamon,” remarked Myra Gonzalez, as chef Joel Cabellon sliced the ham into paper-thin servings, of which platefuls were distributed all over.
Another favorite tapa was a pastry shell filled with Spanish chorizo exclusively made for the occasion by Chucho and Margot Larrañaga. They also grow the juiciest tomatoes from seeds that come from Spain, in their sugar cane farm in Lugo, northern Cebu.
“Rico, muy rico el rabo de toro,” commented Teresin Mendezona to Irma Atillo. For that matter, just as good were the paella, favada, callos, boquerones, and Manchego cheese served with olives immersed in aceite de oliva.
‘Estupendo’
“Si, si, todo esta estupendo,” agreed Rosebud Sala, Cheling and Susan Sala, Glenn and Honey Loop, Mikel Perdices, Ed and Aissa de la Cruz.
Wisely seated at a table with chairs were Nestor Alonso, Flor Ynclino, Cookie Newman and Joanna Cuenco with Manna Alcaraz, Marco Polo assistant communications manager.
The hotel was well represented by resident manager Xavier Masson, who’s French, Dottie Moras Adlawan, Ali Mia Faridoon, Tess Catipay, Gemma Baz, food and beverage manager Joward Tongco, and manager for events and promotions Josef Chiongbian.
All throughout, waiters passed around trays with goblets filled with a deliciously cool Sangria. “It has a kick,” said Julie, and I like it that way.” Someone asked her if she knew what kick was in Spanish.
“No importa,” was the quick retort. After guests tried everything that was served, the next target was the stall with the Spanish desserts. Rating tops was the leche frita which translates as fried milk.
On days that followed, up to April 30, there was a steady flow of gourmets and gourmands that booked for lunch or dinner at the Café Marco. As it is, year in and year out, “Sabores de España” at the Marco Polo is always a sellout and the No. 1 revenue grosser.