Naked Patisserie has become one of the most sought-after cake suppliers for celebrity weddings, with its offerings of sweet and savory recipes using signature combined “naked ingredients.” I was lucky enough to have been invited to chef Christian Mark Jacobs’ home, where I got to try his creations in an intimate dinner.

I loved The Baked Brie Mac n Cheese, a 4-cheese dish comprised of an explosion of pepper jack, sharp cheddar, parmesan, and baked brie. Of course, my favorites were the desserts, including the Pick-Me-Up, an unforgettable espresso cheesecake that drove me crazy when I first tried it. I also liked the Chocoholic Truffle Cake, which is generously topped with Christian’s Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake Truffles.

Christian has been making those truffles since he was a teenager, and it has become a well-loved crowd favorite and a benchmark for great desserts.

Christian just launched his newest offerings, which is perfect because it’s the holiday season. Check out what the Naked Patisserie has to offer. There’s definitely something for you here:

Naked Spreads

Not only are the grazing tables Instagram-worthy with its signature rustic aesthetic, but it is peppered with Christian’s Southern roots recipes made with naked ingredients. One can choose the Build-Your-Own Naked Spread package, which allows the client to customize the spread based on budget and number of guests. Special add-ons (premium cheese, premium deli meats) and upgrades are also available, giving one the opportunity to curate a spread.

There are also the Celebrity Naked Spread packages designed for actual celebrity weddings and events. One can also opt for Luxe Celebrity Spreads, including the actual spreads used by celebrities Julia Barreto, Marian Rivera, Jinkee Pacquiao, and Vern and Verniece Enciso.

Southern Roots Party Trays

For those who want a memorable Yuletide spread, Naked Patisserie’s Southern Roots Party Trays is sure to create new memories while bringing back a taste of home. It features the Breaded Italian Pork Chops with the Naked Foodie signature breading, seasoned to perfection with creamy Southern bacon gravy as a side; Italian Sausage with Bell Pepper & Onions, which are sauteed and served with grilled bell peppers and red onions on a petite bed of creamy mashed potatoes; the irresistible Sriracha Chicken is a crispy boneless skinless breast chicken tossed in the signature Sriracha Honey Sauce and topped with red pepper flakes and spring onions; and the Tuscan Chicken is a beautifully roasted chicken coated in premium olive oil, Italian herbs and spices, and finished with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice and zest.

Even the sides are sure to make every foodie drool: there’s The Baked Brie Mac n Cheese; the Frittata is a baked egg casserole filled with feta cheese, steamed spinach and vine-ripened tomatoes and parmesan cheese; and Buttered Corn is a premium roasted corn with butter and signature spices. Just as memorable are the Sweet and Sour Green Beans and Roasted Broccoli.

Made-to-Order Cakes

To complement the savory dishes, Naked Patisserie also offers Made-to-Order cakes with unique flavor combinations to choose from: Strawberries & Cream (winner of the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s Best Desserts of 2019), Chocnut Cheesecake, Chocolate Chip Calamansi Cheesecake, Toasted Coconut Cream Dulce de Leche, Pick-me-Up Espresso Chocolate Cheesecake, Chocoholic Truffle Cake, Pucker Up Lemon Cheesecake, and its Signature Red Velvet Cake.

Goodies On-the-Go

Other goodies that Naked Patisserie is offering this holiday season are the Luxe Wine Gift Sets, and Gingerbread Houses; limited edition offerings are the White Chocolate Red Velvet Truffles, Christmas Cake, and the Holiday Snacker.

This story is in partnership with The Naked Patisserie. For your holiday celebrations, you may order online through their website www.nakedpatisserie.com or message them on Viber at 09454685141 and/or 09651396609. Stay up to date with their offerings and promos by following Naked Patisserie on Instagram.

I enjoy rewarding myself for small wins. It’s a way to say thank you for the hard work that I’ve done for a project, and at the same time, motivate myself to finish something and make sure I do a damn good job. So how do I do it? How do I celebrate success?

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I’m so happy that the culinary scene in the Philippines continues to improve. There are local chefs and restaurants upping their game and offering polished takes on Filipino classics, and those that are completely reinventing the cuisine with fusions and innovations. At the same time, I’m glad that more restaurants from abroad are opening in Manila, introducing new flavors right here so we don’t have to fly out.

One of the recent imports is Monga, dubbed Taiwan’s most popular fried chicken cutlet chain. I got to try it out and I honestly, genuinely liked it.

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It’s November already, which means one thing: the Starbucks holiday season is here and plenty of us are racing to collect stickers for the planner and the newly-launched travel organizer. As you all know, I’m a planner geek and have used one since 2005. It’s a useful tool for someone forgetful, and while I’ve tried the Calendar app, there’s just something satisfying about crossing off a finished task.

This year, Starbucks is offering four more versions in two variants: two planners and two travel organizers. Here’s everything you need to know and I’m doing my annual giveaway. I have a little surprise so make sure to read everything!

Both the planner and travel organizers are consciously made to lessen its impact on nature. The covers are made from purely natural substances coming from pre-consumer recycled cowhide fibers, and bonded by natural latex. The eco-friendly materials are sourced from leather factories in Valencia, Spain, a region known for artisanal leather tanning methods.

The inside pages are also eco-friendly. They are produced in a facility certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, an indepent organization that promotes the responsible management of the world’s forests.

So let’s get on with the planners and travel organizers!

Starbucks 2020 Planner

The 2020 planner comes in two colors: Berry Pink and Frost Gray. Both come in a hardbound leather cover with the iconic Starbucks Siren embossed. I like how the strap is thicker and looks sturdier compared to other planners with a thinner strap. Inside features the traditional weekly spread on the left and a blank page on the right for doodles. I personally copy the lines on the left and add the things I have to do each day, regardless of the deadline. Dividing the months are facts about coffee.

The Starbucks 2020 planner comes with stickers, a bookmark, and beverage vouchers that can be used in the store. Additionally, it comes with a suede pouch that feel luxurious to the touch. I especially like the Siren logo zipper.

Starbucks 2020 Travel Organizer

Meanwhile, the travel organizer looks so elegant. There’s a Neo Mint and a Coffee version, and both have a mini-notebook with grid, dotted, and plain formats perfect for journaling. Moreover, it has several card slots, spaces for a smartphone or a passport, and a pen holder.

Like the planner, the travel organizer comes with stickers, a bookmark, and beverage vouchers that can be used in the store.

How to Avail the Starbucks 2020 Planners and Travel Organizers

Availing the planner and the travel organizer is easy. Collect one sticker for every purchase of any Tall, Grande, or Venti Starbucks beverage. Collect 18 stickers and you can choose your prize. Collection of stickers is from November 2, 2019 until January 7, 2020. Redemption of the planner or travel organizer is from November 2, 2019 to March 7, 2020. Click here to read about the drinks you can avail to get stickers.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

 

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A post shared by Koji Arsua (@kojiarsua) on Nov 6, 2019 at 4:44am PST

Because it’s the Christmas season, I will be raffling off not one, but two prizes! I’ll be giving away one planner in Frost Gray and one travel organizer in Coffee! Simply click this link, follow my Instagram account, comment on the Instagram post why you should win, and tag someone who should join, too. Please also indicate which prize you want. I will announce the winners on November 14 on this post, and I will also contact you via Instagram (Please note I will be out of the country on November 14 so I will be able to send the prize after I get back on November 21).

Jollibee proudly introduces the latest member of its ever-growing family of endorsers—actress, dancer, and singer Maja Salvador as the newest face of Jollibee Super Meals.

Maja Salvador is a self-professed loyal Jollibee fan since childhood. She is a natural choice to endorse Jollibee’s Super Meals because of her many talents that have made her an enduring icon of Philippine showbiz for 16 years. The all-star offering puts together Jollibee’s iconic and best-tasting favorites—Chickenjoy, Burger Steak, and Jolly Spaghetti—in one meal!

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It’s November, which means it’s the start of the Starbucks holiday season. From November 2 until the end of December, we get to try seasonal drinks and food, collect limited-edition merchandise, and join the race to get the new Starbucks planner. For 2020, the coffee chain is releasing two designs again, and you can choose from the planner and the travel organizer. We’ll be talking more about that tomorrow, and this post will focus on the holiday collection.

Here’s what you can expect for Starbucks’ Christmas season:

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Halloween is right around the corner, and chances are you and your friends are already spooking yourselves with scary movies, TV shows, and stories, all in the spirit of the season. While all those things are just stories in your head, have you ever experienced dealing with the very real fear of eating out when you just don’t have the budget?

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We don’t have an official national dish, but ask anyone what it should be and chances are, they would say it’s adobo. The dish is known for being marinated in vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and black peppercorns, but there are countless ways to prepare it, depending on where you are in the Philippines. Holiday Inn & Suites is celebrating the dish with Adobo Nation, a month-long buffet offering where you can enjoy different versions at Flavors Restaurant.

Adobo Queen Nancy Reyes-Lumen worked with chefs Jen Seranilla and Jaja Andal to create an extensive menu featuring adobo, which you can enjoy every day this October. I was able to try some of these dishes and was surprised at how versatile this dish is.

There’s the sinful Adobo Chicken Roulade with Sisig Stuffing, the perfect dish for those who enjoy meat and lots of it. This pairs well with the Rodrigo’s Roast, or rolled pork belly braised adobo style. Of course, these dishes are best enjoyed with rice so you can get a scoopful of Adobo Paella.

Those who like seafood will enjoy the Adobong Tuna and the Stuffed Squid with Spiced Adobo Garlic Sauce. I especially liked the Adobong Tuna because it was new to my tastebuds!

Flavors Restaurant is covering all bases, even including a dessert dish. The Adobo Cheesecake has an intriguing flavor that balances sweet and savory. Holiday Inn is certainly good with cheesecakes. Their Ube is my favorite and I also enjoy the Red Velvet.

Out of all the dishes, my favorite would have to be the Adobo sa Turon. It’s a traditional turon (banana roll)  but it’s draped with a delicious adobo sauce. It’s more savory than sweet, though. I had four pieces.

If you plan to go, I suggest you really go around to explore the restaurant. I missed some intriguing dishes, like the Adobo Maki, Adobo Pizza, and Adobo Pasta.

This story is in partnership with Holiday Inn & Suites Makati. For more information, visit the website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.