The sweetest bunch on earth gathered in one big room brimming with a feast of sinful confections, from dreamy chocolate cakes and fruity pies to the creamiest caramel cheesecakes.

Almost every one of the 300 guests who came to the much-awaited book launch of Inquirer Lifestyle’s “Best Desserts 2” at SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premier had a field day overloading on sugar, in what most guests dubbed as the “happiest place on earth that day.”

It was one huge dessert festival; the sweetest treats in the country were displayed in colorfully decked tables. Some had rustic motifs complete with wooden planks and chopping boards; others whimsically created cascading chocolates and marshmallows. There were also garden themes with floral and lantern ornaments, while others had a Filipino motif with matching lechon de leche on the side.

The successful annual event simply validated what most Filipinos are passionate about: desserts!

Everybody had fun table-hopping to get his sugar fix.

Hosted by Tessa Prieto-Valdes, the launch kicked off with welcome remarks from Inquirer president and chief executive officer Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, followed by a slideshow of all the dessert creations featured in the book. Plaques of appreciation were given the desserts makers.

“Best Desserts 2,” compiled by this writer, has close to a hundred best desserts, from Cabanatuan City in the north to Cagayan de Oro in the south.  This is the second desserts book of Inquirer Lifestyle by this writer.

The book is divided into special categories: Bakeshop Stars (Luscious Lemon Squares, Butterball Cake, Prune Cake, Sticky Toffee Pudding); Chocolate Cravings (Dark Turtle Brittle, Romance, Neopolitan Cake, OMG, Aurore); Say Cheese-cake (Red Velvet Cheesecake, Manchego Curado Cheesecake, Raspberry Cheesecake); Classic with a Twist (Ombre Cake, Vanilla Brandy Cake, Panqueque); Homegrown Flair (Pinoy Mango Trifle, Gigil Tart, Ube Muron, Bazo de Fernando); and Cool Palate Fresheners (Dessert de Gils, Manila Creamery Gelato, Carmen’s Best Ice Cream), among others.

The book, under Inquirer books head Ruel S. De Vera, was edited by Alya Honasan, with layout by Riki Velarde, photographs by Jilson Seckler Tiu, and foreword by Inquirer editor in chief Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc and Lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson San Juan.

Inquirer Lifestyle’s “Best Desserts 2” is now available at National Book Store, PowerBooks, Fully Booked, Booksale, Visual Mix and selected 7-Eleven convenience stores.

E-mail [email protected] for inquiries.