The Homes of Zee
Dreaming of California at Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu
Available throughout March and April 2019, the new menu tempts with fresh and innovative cuisine inspired by America’s West Coast
It’s near impossible to separate the idea of a gastronomical adventure from Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts. The brand has a knack for venturing into various cuisines, and whenever their culinary team at the Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu comes up with a new menu, it’s something that we at Zee constantly look forward to.
This time around, Executive Chef Jean Louis Leon, backed by his team, join the brand’s global food and beverage campaign of Califonia Dreamin’, a menu that serves up flavours from America’s West Coast.
The California-inspired menu pays tribute to chefs who were instrumental in turning the world’s palates toward fresh, locally-grown produce and mixing cultural influences from Latin America, Asia and Europe. It was back in the early ‘70s when Californian cuisine first caught flavour, when pioneering chef Alice Waters opened her restaurant, Chez Panisse. Quickly, it became known for its use of organic and locally-grown ingredients. Since then, entrepreneurial California chefs have not shied away from mixing unexpected combinations of ingredients and food styles, while making the most of the abundant sun-kissed produce for which the state is known.
Taking cues from the philosophy of sourcing locally, Chef Jean Louis re-creates the California Dreamin’ menu in a way that highlights Cebu-grown ingredients. Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu’s California dreamin’ à la carte menu features seven dishes of classic California fusion cuisine. Seafood, fruit, vegetables and fresh herbs figure prominently in a medley of bold flavours, surprising combinations and unpretentious style.
“Some ingredients, like the guinea fowl for example, aren’t native to the area,” Chef Jean Louis says, “so I substituted it with chicken, something we can find easily here.”
That being said, it’s easy to spot how he’s made the campaign his own, aside from the switch in ingredients. The plates, for one, have been personally picked by Chef Jean Louis, as he shared at a previous dinner. As he’s French, this shone through in how he assembled the dessert—lemon and avocado cheesecake—with a flair that most, if not all, French chefs have.
It’s interesting to note that Cebu shares some similarities with California, as both celebrate the fusion of sunshine and seasonal fare. If this sounds like something right up your alley, California Dreamin’ will be available at The Sails restaurant throughout the months of March and April 2019.
Check out the gallery above for a preview of the menu!
The Homes of Zee
The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 12
Christmas House No. 12 – Heart-felt Holidays at the Hofers’
Check out why this holiday home is on our list of 12 Cebu homes this season. Zee.ph offers a glimpse of Cebu’s holiday homes from far and wide. Please follow our series as we bring you a different home in the next few days!
Nestled in Banilad, Cebu City, the George Hofer residence stands as testament to enduring elegance. Constructed in the late sixties to early seventies, the mansion exudes timeless charm with warm brown molave wood panels and pristine white marble floors.
Stepping into this grand abode during the Christmas season unveils a journey into a beautifully storied past. This season, Molave wooden entance, intricately carved with the Hofer couple’s monogram, are adorned with opulent yuletide garlands. White velvet poinsettias and persimmon peonies alongside mother of pearl camellias are interspersed with pearlescent berries. Archangel Michael showers the guests with blessings from above, while a macassar ebony wooden effigy of Saint George (slaying the dragon) pays homage to the house owner’s namesake.
Adjacent to a private elevator, a grandiose Christmas tree stands tall, welcoming guests into a sprawling waiting hall. Here, an angel in teal and gold lamé cloth grouped together with exotic blooms gracefully plays the lyre; seemingly entertaining those who await entry.
Further down the hall is an ecru grand piano, where the lady of the house, a skilled pianist, performs Monti’s Czardas, Schubert’s Ständchen, and other rhapsodies on special occasions. A commissioned portrait of George and Dulce hangs on a wall above a console table that separates the hall from the formal dining area.
The Hofer home exudes old-world elegance that is seldom found today, yet its true charm lies in the joyous laughter and warm greetings of the Hofers, who gather annually to share Christmas cheer and delightful yuletide stories in this vibrant space.
The Homes of Zee
The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 11
Christmas House No. 11 – Christine Pelaez
Check out why this holiday home is on our list of 12 Cebu homes this season. Zee.ph offers a glimpse of Cebu’s holiday homes from far and wide. Please follow our series as we bring you a different home in the next few days!
Designed by the noted Cebu architect Teng Jacinto, this expansive residence stands as a testament to the artful curation of Jun Pelaez. Over the years, he has meticulously assembled a collection of artworks, transforming the home into a gallery that reflects his discerning taste and appreciation for the aesthetic.
As the holiday season graces the air, the residence undergoes a festive tone under the artful touch of Jun’s wife, Christine. Embracing tradition, she bathes the home in the classic Christmas palette of reds and greens, infusing each corner with warmth and seasonal charm. The interior becomes a canvas for the holiday spirit, adorned with wreaths, ornaments, and the timeless glow of twinkling lights.
However, the true heart of this home lies in its welcoming spirit. There are two dining rooms, with chairs adorned with red bows and festive centerpieces, where family and friends converge for an equally sumptuous meal.
The Homes of Zee
The Homes of Zee–Holiday Edition: Christmas House No. 10
Christmas House No. 10 – The Hudsons’ Christmas Chronicles
Check out why this holiday home is on our list of 12 Cebu homes this season. Zee.ph offers a glimpse of Cebu’s holiday homes from far and wide. Please follow our series as we bring you a different home in the next few days!
The Hudson’s household buzzes with enthusiasm each time the holiday season unfolds. The heart of their Tokyo home, the Hudson Christmas tree, stands tall and proud, adorned with tinsel and cherished trimmings that span the years of their family’s growth. Each ornament tells a story, marking the arrival of a new family member with the annual addition of baubles bearing their names: Mary, George, Victoria and Charles.
Charles, the youngest Hudson at twelve, beams with joy as he proudly places the Christmas star atop the tree. No longer reliant on his father’s shoulders, Charles revels in his newfound height and the welcomed responsibility that comes with it.
In addition to the twinkling blue lights, the festive icons and the white-and-silvery ornaments, another cherished tradition had been completed at the beginning of the joyful season. The Hudson’s much-anticipated Christmas cards, an exciting accountof the family’s adventures, had been creatively crafted by Rose and Karl. The lively narrative chronicles the milestones and quests of each family member, with Karl’s animated storytelling and Rose’s artistic touch bringing the tales to life.
Rose shares, “by mid-November we print two hundred post cards of the Hudson family chronicles. The entire family, from the oldest to the youngest, gathers around to sign each card. Envelopes are lovingly addressed, and the kids lend a hand in labeling.”
In a heartwarming shift of roles, the Hudson parents, Karl and Rose, prepare to pass the baton. The careful planning and distribution of the Christmas cards are soon to become the responsibility of the eager younger generation.
With laughter, love, and a touch of adventure, the Hudson family embraces the season, creating and sharing memories that they and their friends treasure for life.