Chefs for Education 2

Philippine Business for Education (PBED) held its second Chefs for Education dinner last 27 August 2011. This "jeans ball", as it was dubbed, was a fundraiser for PBED's 1000 Teachers Program, which aims to fund scholarships to encourage students to pursue degrees in Education in order to eventually become public school teachers.

Held at the White Space, the highlight was a six-course dinner prepared by some of the top chefs in the Philippines.

Some pictures for posterity:

PBED Chairman Ramon del Rosario welcomed the guests and spoke about the 1000 Teachers Program.

DepEd Secretary Bro. Armin Luistro briefly addressed the crowd (impromptu, I gather).

Aurelio Montinola III, PBED Vice Chairman, joined Mr. del Rosario to toast the supporters of the 1000 Teachers Program.

Then dinner was served:

The first course, from Chef Rob Pengson (The Goose Station), was a Cured Tasmanian Ocean Trout with a Bacolod cross crab and seared scallops. This was paired with a Banfi Fumaio Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc 2010.

The second course was a Goat's cheese and thyme gnocchi with sauce Soubise, speck and Davao pecorino. This was paired iwth a Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2011. The dish was prepared by Chef Colin Mackay (Sala).

Pot-au-feu de canard (in effect, foie gras in broth) was the third course, as prepared by Chef Norbert Gandler (Aubergine).

Chef Victoria Pacheco (Chateau 1771) prepared the main course, SRF Black Wagyu Striploin with celeraic puree and grain mustard jus. This was paired with Cape Jaffa Shiraz 2008.

Carpaccio's Chef Pierre Benedict also prepared a Brillat-Savarin with sweet spiced tomato conserve, which was served right before dessert.

The wines were courtesy of Brett Tolhurst of Wine Depot.

Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the hors d'oeuvre prepared by Chef Margarita Fores (Pepato) during the cocktails. Neither was I able to take a picture of the rhubarb and strawberry dessert.

Overall, a wonderful dinner for a very worthy cause.

(Obviously, it was very challenging to take photos over dinner, given the lighting. I took the photos without flash since I didn't want to disturb everyone while eating.)