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Doughnut Do-over
With doughnuts that are loved throughout the world, Krispy Kreme goes glo-cal and collaborates with internationally-trained Cebuano managing director and corporate chef of the Laguna Group of Restaurants, Raki Urbina.
With doughnuts that are loved throughout the world, Krispy Kreme goes glo-cal and collaborates with internationally-trained Cebuano managing director and corporate chef of the Laguna Group of Restaurants, Raki Urbina. Always pushing for native ingredients like ube jalaya and fresh macapuno, he had as much fun coming up with the recipes as we did trying them.
Take the lead from Cebu’s trusted chef and put a creative spin on your favorite Krispy Kreme doughnut, it’s fun to make and so good to eat any time, any day.
Champorado-glazed Doughnut
11 AM Brunch bonanza
Why choose one when you can combine two of your favorite comfort food? The champorado is a childhood favorite of many Filipinos and smearing it over the oldie-but-goodie KK Original Glazed is a stroke of genius. Chef Raki tops it off with kesong puti from Laguna. The fresh and surprisingly light bite of the carabao’s cheese goes incredibly well with the sweetness of the tempered chocolate. This, the softness of the dough and the crunch of the pinipig in the champorado make it a winner in taste and texture.
Dougnut Sorbetero
3 PM for merienda
When it’s hot outIt was most challenging for Chef Raki to find flavors that countered the sweet goodness and distinct taste of Krispy Kreme doughnuts but he found that the mild flavor of buko evens this out. He cooked coconut meat in coconut juice and draped slices atop the KK Original Glazed doughnut. He then added a scoop of fresh homemade buko sorbet, similar to the kind the friendly Manong Sorbetero would push around in his colorful ice cream cart. He sprinkled toasted pinipig and latik syrup to further enhance the local taste.
Savory Salad with a Beef and Cheese Pull-apart
Early dinner, 7PM
Besides their ‘sweet-tooth’ selection, Krispy Kreme also offers savory Pull- Aparts that are easy to pair with any meal. Chef Raki chose the Beef and Cheese Pull-apart to go in the salad he creates using the freshest salad greens, feta cheese, walnuts, pears and tomatoes. For his dressing, he opts for a sharp tasting port-raspberry plus fresh strawberry pureé with a little fresh honey to add some kick to the beef.
Doughnut ala Halo-Halo
After dinner dessert, 7PM
Halo-halo is the benchmark for all Filipino desserts. It has everything so why not throw in a KK Original Glazed doughnut for good measure? Chef Raki thoughtfully incorporates the doughnut and adds richness to the dessert. Using a nipped pastry bag, Chef Raki dresses the doughnut with a generous amount of ube jalaya. He then carefully places a slice of leche flan and a ball of fresh macapuno (available in bottles for sale in U Kitchen) on top.
U Kitchen is located at the Laguna Culinary Center Bldg., Veterans Drive corner Torralba Sts., Lahug.
Ampao, Manga at Tsokolate
10 PM, Midnight Snack
Revamping the trifecta of Suman, Manga at Tsokolate, Chef Raki wraps ampao in fresh mango slices, the Filipinos’ version of rice crispies. He rests it on the doughnut hole and sprinkles chocolate syrup over the KK Original Glazed doughnut. Every bite is packed with sweet (doughnut), tangy (mango) and nutty (ampao) flavors and is worth investing 200 calories in.
- by Katsy Borromeo
- photography Dan Douglas Ong
Business
bai Hotel Cebu named 2024 PH’s Leading Business Hotel at World Travel Awards
bai Hotel Cebu has emerged victorious as the Philippines’ Leading Business Hotel at this year’s prestigious World Travel Awards. Standing out among the nine other contenders from across the country, bai Hotel Cebu claimed the coveted title, solidifying its position as a premier business hospitality destination in Cebu.
Held at the City of Dreams Manila, the award was handed over to VP-Operations and General Manager Alfred Reyes and Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Carlo Rivera last September 3, 2024 at City of Dreams Manila.
This accolade, being the first of many this year, reaffirms bai Hotel Cebu’s steadfast commitment to providing world-class Filipino hospitality. “I would like to thank our guests for continuously supporting and for patronizing bai Hotel Cebu,” GM Alfred Reyes said. “This win is also yours as your loyalty inspires us to deliver the exceptional service bai Hotel Cebu is known for,” he continued.
Operating since 2018 with 668 rooms, 8 restaurants, and over 13 function halls, bai Hotel Cebu has established its presence in the industry having just been awarded as Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) Tourism Standard Awards – ASEAN MICE Venue (Meeting Room Category).
We also extend our heartfelt congratulations to the country’s Department of Tourism headed by Secretary Hon. Christina Garcia Frasco for being recognized as Asia’s Leading Marketing Campaign award for its “Love the Philippines” campaign and as Transformation Leadership in Tourism Governance.
Based in London and established in 1993, the World Travel Awards is dubbed the Oscars of the travel industry that acknowledges, rewards, and celebrates excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry. It is recognized globally as the ultimate hallmark of quality, with winners setting the benchmark to which all others aspire.
Events
A Feast for the Senses
By Joanna Cuenco
June 8 – Mactan, Cebu | For one of its biggest dining events of the year as part of the highly anticipated Cebu Food and Wine Festival, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan curated an epicurean journey that brought guests on gastronomic flights of fancy, fine cuisine. A Feast for the Senses showcased the creativity and excellence of the resort’s culinary team through a dine-around event at its four dining destinations that invited guests to sample the best that each restaurant had to offer: international cuisine at Saffron, Spanish at Enye by Chele Gonzalez, Japanese at Aka by Naoki Eguchi, and desserts and more drinks at Azure Beach Club.
Spirits were high and beverages flowed freely the whole evening, thanks to Philippine Wine Merchant, A Wine Company, The Wine Club, Don Revy, Sommelier Selection, Engkanto Brewery, M. Lhuillier Food Product Inc., Future Trade International, Happy Living Philippines, Equilibrium Intertrade Corporation, and Bauhinia Brewery.
For the after-party and entertainment at Azure Beach Club, renowned mixologist Ulysse Jouanneaud took over the bar, crafting cocktails with Bacardi, Don Papa, Cointreau, and Sula Brands. Chef Allan Barrios presented a dessert spread that included key lime pralines, vanilla bourbon truffles, honey coconut cryos, and tiny flower-potted bamboo shoots that turned out to be made of pistachio. These little works of art were planted alongside vibrant green foliage, smooth stones, and a faux fog effect that created a tropical rainforest diorama out of the dessert table.
The night sky and the distant lights of neighboring islands were the perfect backdrop for a high-energy LED dance performance and fantastic fireworks display that left guests in awe and applause.
The Cebu Food and Wine Festival is supported by the Department of Tourism – Philippines, Visit Central Visayas, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Cebu Business Month, and Cebu Pacific Air.
Events
The First NUSTAR BALL
The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.
Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.
It was a night of elegance, luxury, and unforgettable memories as ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in black ties danced the night away.
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