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Eats in Cebu: Ralfe Gourmet and The Chocolate Chamber

A few years ago, a quaint house in the quiet neighborhood of Casals Village in Mabolo opened its doors to offer a decadent buffet that showcased surprising creations with chocolate.

Since then, Ralfe Gourmet Chocolate Boutique paved the way for the company’s retail arm, The Chocolate Chamber. A charming addition to Cebu’s dining landscape, the café elevates the concept of chocolate beyond the usual sikwate and champorado concept, and does so with a little bit of flair.

Ralfe Gourmet Inc.’s The Chocolate Chamber (Photo by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, July 2014)

All their offerings have a touch of chocolate in one way or another. Ralfe Gourmet Inc. produces the local tablea from cacao beans, which they use for their dishes—from the chocolate-infused bread for the sandwiches, to the mole sauce used to cook the sausage for the pizza. Of course, the more conventional ways of eating chocolate, such as cookies and by itself, are also available on the menu.

The grilled sausage pizza platter is just one of the many surprising creations with chocolate. (Photo by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, July 2014)

The bread on the beef pastrami sandwich is infused with chocolate, which adds an interesting flavor. (Photo by Robo Formacion/Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, July 2014)

The Chocolate Chamber made Ralfe Gourmet Inc.’s sinful creations accessible to more people, yet as fans of the early chocolate buffet could attest, the experience was unlike any other. Following a series of private events offering the chocolate buffet, proprietor and Chocolate Queen of Cebu Raquel T. Choa decided to bring back the chocolate buffet this year. “I realized I needed to do this so I can relax,” Raquel says. “Imagine, I get stressed and I throw a chocolate buffet!” she adds with a laugh.

The truffles and hot chocolate station at a private chocolate buffet held in November 2014 (Photo by Micah Almazan)

Certainly no complaints there. For the moment, the chocolate buffet will happen on a monthly basis with dates yet to be announced, yet for those who can’t wait, The Chocolate Chamber is the golden ticket to this chocolate factory.

RALFE GOURMET CHOCOLATE BOUTIQUE
3349 Topaz St., Casals Village
Mabolo, Cebu City
http://www.ralfegourmet.com/

THE CHOCOLATE CHAMBER
President Quirino cor. Magsaysay St.
Barangay Kasambagan, Mabolo, Cebu City
(+63) 917 628 7661

by Patty Taboada

Read more about The Chocolate Chamber in Zee Lifestyle’s July 2014 issue.

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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!