Conrad Manila’s C Lounge was transformed into a cheese and wine paradise on July 14, France’s Bastille Day, with the holding of the Artisan Cheese Fair. The event was presented with Origine PH.

Origine PH is a seller of rare and imported cheeses, wines and other delicacies from Europe. Its aim is to “bring traditional food and wine direct from European artisans.”

Conrad Manila general manager Laurent Boisdron, a French national, led guests to the Artisan Cheese Fair.

“I am delighted that France’s la Fête Nationale has earned a respectable celebration in the Philippines,” Boisdron said.

“This festive celebration over great food like cheese and fine wine, is the perfect occasion to get the tricolor party started!”

Laid out buffet-style were more than 60 French artisanal cheeses, flown in from Fromagerie Beillevaire, a renowned cheese shop in France.

“We have items here that even I haven’t tasted yet,” Ian Odilio Santos of Origine PH said.

The selection of cheese was daunting, but it was a pleasure seeing Boisdron’s face light up when describing the cheeses.

“This one comes from Alsace region,” he said, pointing to a uniquely colored slice of cheese. “And this from Languedoc-Roussillon, and these are Camembert from Normandy.” The French know and love their cheeses, indeed.

We sampled fresh goat cheeses from the Pyrenees, soft cheeses with natural rinds, uncooked cheeses and processed refined cheeses.

There were Bleu cheeses from Roquefort, cooked and pressed cheeses from the mountainous regions of France, and soft cheeses with strong, ammoniac aromas.

Also on the table were freshly churned butter, breads straight off the oven, and charcuterie to pair with the cheeses.

Wines

As for the wines, there were two reds and two whites. There was a Tempranillo from Spain called Negre Seleccio, a Reserve Grand Arc from France, a Ni Vu Mais Connu also from France, and a Sauvignon Blanc from Italy.

Conrad Manila’s F&B director, Clement Huguet, also a French national, was on hand to greet guests, “C’est la fête nationale Française!”

Boisdron said he was surprised at the good crowd turnout, considering the event’s limited promotion.

Asked if more will follow, Boisdron replied resoundingly with “yes.”

The artisanal cheese selection is still available at C Lounge, where one can enjoy à la carte savories, high afternoon teas, cocktails and drinks. –CONTRIBUTED

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