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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. 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

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LONDON IN FULL BLOOM: An Exclusive Look at the recent Chelsea Flower Show

Dame Judy Dench (center in white) with gallery owner, Jerry Sibal, Edwin Josue, writer Eva Gullas and artist James Doran-Webb.

The Chelsea Flower Show in London, one of the most prestigious horticultural events in the world, returned in full glory in May 2023, captivating visitors with its stunning displays and landscape designs. Held annually on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, this year’s show proved to be a true feast for the senses, showcasing an array of breathtaking gardens, vibrant floral arrangements, and innovative landscaping. The 3-day event showcased 36 outdoor gardens, including four balcony gardens for small spaces. Inside the giant pavilion, blooms compete with each other, exotic flowers, roses, and many more.

Princess Kate Middleton walking the booths at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Dame Judy Dench, who owns several of Webb’s pieces in her garden, with James Doran-Webb and Jerry Sibal discussing the works of James.

One of the flower arrangements competing at the show.

The 2023 Chelsea Flower Show embraced a Nature’s Harmony theme, with a strong focus on sustainability and mental health. The show’s organizers emphasized the importance of sustainable gardening practices and biodiversity conservation, inspiring attendees to create beautiful outdoor spaces while preserving and protecting the environment.

One of the floral gazebo displays recycled chairs and salvaged materials.

Shops at the Chelsea Flower Show are mostly from sustainable materials.

What’s Cebu got to do with the Chelsea Flower Show in London? One person. James Doran Webb (https://www.jamesdoranwebb.co.uk), an Englishman working with driftwood, has been displaying his artworks for several years. James collects cast-off driftwood and shapes them into beautiful animal shapes that find places in some of the most iconic gardens. Leaping horses, owls, reindeer, and the occasional dragon, James Webb’s creations are avidly collected by landscapers to add accent to gardens in all sizes, using cast-off wood, fitting perfectly with the sustainable element—something Mr. Webb has done quite well for the last decade.

The impressive dragon of James Doran-Webb

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The Philippine International Flower Festival will be held at the PICC in Manila from January 14 to 18, 2024. Watch out for more info from our website!