September 19, 2008

Mailbag: Pink Kitchen II

THIS event is for a good cause. May I call on all my chef friends, cooks (amateurs and professionals), restaurateurs, and fellow foodies to please support this.
PINK KITCHEN II – GOOD FOOD FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Over the weekend of October 18 and 19th, 2008, one of Manila’s most anticipated food festivals–Pink Kitchen II—will again open its doors.

As Beth Romualdez, chairman of Pink Kitchen and an eminent chef in her own right, says, “The yummiest event of the year is back! Pink Kitchen II is a celebration that brings together cuisine from many parts of the world for people from all walks of life.”

Now in its second year running, Pink Kitchen will bring together over 50 chefs who are celebrated for their culinary expertise but most of whom do not have commercial establishments open to the general public. Pink Kitchen II will provide a once-in-a-year opportunity to indulge in these chefs’ elusive delicacies in a relaxed and festive atmosphere, brought together under one roof in the Rockwell Tent.

Pink Kitchen showcases cuisine from all parts of the globe including both traditional and innovative interpretations of favorite Filipino dishes. This year’s international selection takes us around the world and includes French, Italian, Spanish, Middle Eastern, Indian, Burmese, Japanese, Thai, Indonesian and Singaporean specialties. Diners, grazers, foodies and strollers will be spoilt for choice. There will also be a broad selection of cakes, pastries, baked goods and amazing confectionery to satisfy even the most demanding of sweet teeth. Wine enthusiasts will be able to browse through the selections of several of the country’s leading wine merchants. Via Reyes, Pink Kitchen’s head of project management, says, “Pink Kitchen is an event not to miss. Manila’s finest chefs are in the house and they will rock your taste buds!”

Last year, at its premiere outing, Pink Kitchen attracted over 6000 visitors. This year, the organizers are hoping that even more guests will attend. In addition to the central event of food and wine, Pink Kitchen II has organized talks and activities for the entertainment and education of its visitors. These include a Kids Cooking Demo by Mel Francisco; demos on Cake Decorating by Penk Ching and Healthy Cooking by Rob Pengson; a talk on Looking Good, Feeling Better by Adora and on Coffee by Robert Francisco; as well as a Wine Appreciation class conducted by Ines Cabarrus of Enderun Colleges, one of the country’s top hospitality management schools.

“Last year’s Pink Kitchen had something for each and everyone’s taste,” Elizabeth Virata, marketing and sponsorship head for Pink Kitchen says. “ It was exhilarating to see people of all ages, sizes, occupations and even political affiliations enjoying themselves. After all, who doesn’t like good food? And to have all these chefs’ food specialties under one roof to pick and choose from! So many guests came back two or three times and walked out with take-out bags of food. This year’s Pink Kitchen will be even better!”

All ticket sales for Pink Kitchen II will benefit ICanServe’s flagship project, “Ating Dibdibin,” the Philippines’ first community-based breast cancer screening program under the guidance of the American Cancer Society. ICanServe is a non-stock, non-profit foundation and advocacy group founded in 1999 to empower women with breast cancer information, treatment and hope. It also provides access to special services that will help breast cancer survivors recover and heal more effectively.

Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, founding president of ICanServe, says, “Everyone comes out a winner in Pink Kitchen. We celebrate the Filipino culinary geniuses. The rest of us, not as gifted in the culinary department, delight, devour and drink to life! As we all do what we do best, we support a very worthy cause.” ICanServe treasurer Bettina Osmena adds, “We are here to celebrate life and all its blessings. This is a perfect venue for us to share our good fortune and to pay it forward. Eat, drink and enjoy!”

Tickets for Pink Kitchen II are P200 for adults and P100 for children. They will be available at the entrance of Rockwell Tent on October 18 and 19, and can also be purchased from volunteers by calling the ICanServe hotline, 687 3942.

Pink Kitchen II’s team includes Bettina Osmena, chairman of ICanServe’s fund-raising committee; Beth Romualdez, project chairman, Elizabeth Virata, marketing and sponsorship head; Via Reyes, head of project management; Ina Vergel de Dios, logistics; Ria Romero, entertainment and marketing; Alice Orleans, ICanServe executive director; and Margie Jorillo, volunteer manager. Event styling is by Joseph Claraval.

For inquiries and comments please contact:

Via R. Reyes 0929 848 2918
Email: pinkkitchen08@yahoo.com
Or visit www.icanserve.net

* * * *

A note from my friend Carla Paras-Sison, herself a cancer survivor, on how to get your tickets:
Dear friends,

ICanServe Foundation brings back the culinary event of the year, Pink Kitchen 2. The entrance donation of P200 (or P100 for children below 12 years old) per person directly goes to ICanServe projects that raise breast care awareness and subsidize the medical treatment of breast cancer patients. Food sales (from 49 chefs/cuisines) go directly to the chefs. We are not charging them concessionaire fee or space rental for their booths. Some of them donated a portion of their sales to ICanServe last year but that is really not required.

Please see complete list of chefs/cuisines at: Pink Kitchen 2

For ticket orders, we have pick-up points in Pasig (care of Carla Sison, 0920 903 5053), Quezon City (care of Lian Chua, 0917 828 5426), Makati (care of Margie Jorillo, 0917 830 4562) and Mandaluyong (care of Lanie Eusebio, 0920 922 2827). Delivery may be arranged on a case-to-case basis.

Thanks,

Carla

Carla Paras-Sison
+632 449 2467
+63920 903 5053
http://carla1.multiply.com

See you there.

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