With Mother’s Day less than two weeks away, one can expect department stores, restaurants and hotels to come up with ways to woo the first lady in our lives.

Flowers and candy are always welcome, but if you want to splurge, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila has a three-day food promotion at Spiral featuring some of the dishes by celebrity moms Christine
Jacob-Sandejas and Suzi Entrata-Abrera.

Family favorites
The former teamed up with French master chef Julien Cosse to showcase family favorites like Calamari Fritti, Beef Lasagna and Tiramisu, while the latter worked with Japanese chef Masaaki Ishigawa to create Curry Salmon Maki and California Maki.

Olympic swimmer and TV host Jacob-Sandejas is a full-time mother of five kids ranging in age from 18 to eight years old.
“I remember when I was a young girl, my parents would treat me and my siblings to a day of swimming and good food at the Philippine Plaza,” she said. “I also had my prom here, so the property definitely holds a special place in my heart.”

Jacob-Sandejas has managed to keep her toned swimmer’s figure by limiting carbs in her diet. She does, however, enjoy baking with her kids, saying it is one of their favorite ways to bond.

Her children now follow a healthy diet that includes meals with Caesar or Greek
salad, fish, chicken, brown rice or quinoa. On Saturdays, the Sandejas brood hold themed nights where the highlight is pasta, Japanese fare, Hainanese chicken or Chinese food.

Monday-night special
TV host Entrata-Abrera and her husband Paolo Abrera have three daughters aged 15, 14 and 12 years old. She said the property is one she won’t soon forget since she and Paolo spent their honeymoon at the hotel 17 years ago. Since then, the family has booked several staycations at the property.

“The kids love dining at Spiral especially during breakfast, which is their favorite,” she said.

The Abreras regularly hold “Monday Night Specials,” a tradition Entrata-Abrera started four years ago.
“Monday is usually my lightest day of the week so I’m able to cook for the family around four to five dishes,” she said at the preview for Spiral’s Mother’s Day food promotion.

The weekly tradition has also become popular among relatives and friends who are sometimes invited to join.
“Mondays are when I get to try out some of the recipes featured on our TV show. I only found out recently that the prep time for guacamole is so long,” she said.

For Mother’s Day weekend (May 11-13), Spiral will have a photo booth where children and their mothers can have their photos taken. Live musical entertainment will be provided. Prizes from Uniqlo and Elizabeth Arden will be awarded to moms and kids in the best twinning outfits.

Lunch on May 11 is P2,750, on May 12 it’s P3,450, and on May 13 it’s P4,655. Dinner that weekend is set at P3,550 per person.

Call 5515555; e-mail [email protected].