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Level Up Your Cooking Game With AICA’s Culinary Classes

Who says you can’t learn to make restaurant-grade dishes at home? AICA’s short courses will have you channeling your inner Masterchef.

In life, learning never really stops. There are many iterations to this quote, penned by greater minds than me. However it’s put, it’s good advice. Any opportunity to learn is one that should be taken. So when an invitation to an AICA cooking class came along, I jumped at the chance.

I’ve always been interested in cooking, although my training consists mostly of cooking shows and YouTube tutorials. (Of course, getting to dine out in the city’s best restaurants does a lot for food appreciation.) 

For a home chef like me, the chance to learn at the Academy of International Culinary Arts was something that’s hard to pass up. Founded in 2004, AICA has consistently produced world-class graduates, many of whom are now working in restaurant kitchens around the world. 

In any case, we found ourselves in the middle of a professional kitchen one Saturday afternoon. Together with our good friends Karlo Lim and Vanessa East, we were ready to learn how to whip up a restaurant-grade three-course meal.

The filling for the spinach ravioli in progress, which has the vegetable mixed with ricotta cheese and some herbs and spices.

The Class

In-house instructor Chef Tim gave us the feel of a restaurant kitchen even before we entered it. We were given strict orders to put on our aprons correctly, tie our hair back, and wash our hands thoroughly–and then we were escorted inside. 

Once that was done, the afternoon’s menu was handed out to us. On paper, the lengthy recipes seemed a little daunting to us amateurs–the sheer number of steps told us that the day’s meal would take hours to make. In any case, we were ready for a challenge.

For the starter was spinach ravioli–the homemade pasta was probably the trickiest to make that afternoon. Rolling it out into the perfect thickness (without ripping the dough) took some teamwork, and a lot of elbow grease.

Running the dough through the pasta maker served to be one of the biggest challenge. The trick is to start with the widest setting, and work your way down to get the best size.

Roast chicken was up for the main course. The secret to a great tasting chicken, apparently, is in the seasoning. A generous coating of salt, pepper and herbs is all you really need to amp up the taste. This was paired with creamy mashed potatoes.

Wrapping up the meal was the panna cotta, which was actually one of the first things we had to make. Chocolate was melted, mixed into cream, poured into shot glasses, then placed into the freezer for serving.

The afternoon ended with a sit-down dinner, wherein the professional chefs plated our less-than-professional creations. Each bite was delicious–whether that’s because it actually was, or because I had made it myself, we’ll never be sure of. 

Karlo Lim and Vanessa East working on their pasta dough.

For the Kids

This summer, AICA offers the same experience for the young ones. The school designed a cooking class especially for kids and teens–Kiddie Cooks for kids aged 6 to 8, and Teens in the Kitchen for 9 to 14-year-olds. 

AICA’s chef instructors promise hands-on training in a safe and fun environment, which will teach kids the value of fine ingredients and appreciation for the culinary arts. 

The Gallery, Juan Luna Ave. corner Golam Drive, Kasambagan, Cebu City
For inquiries on available schedules and reservations, call +63 32 268 5636 or email aicacebu_marcom@yahoo.com

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Featured

Bringing businesses together: Lalamove paves way for SMEs across the globe to “Make a Winning Move”

The local episode #LalamoveItToWinIt to support MSMEs across PH

To inspire businesses around Asia and Latin America, Lalamove has launched a regional branding campaign “Make a Winning Move” to showcase its various B2B services, strong driver-partner network, and wide-ranging fleet for fast and reliable delivery solutions. Locally, the on-demand delivery platform has kicked off the campaign by inviting its patrons, old and new, to #LalamoveItToWinIt.

Now more than ever, businesses are focusing their efforts on an experience-led customer journey. With deliveries as undeniably crucial for businesses to fulfill their services and win over customers, the central creative idea behind the regional campaign revolves around such scenarios where Lalamove’s services and B2B features help entrepreneurs stay ahead of the intense competition.

Lalamove, as the trusted delivery partner, has been servicing businesses of all sizes in the Philippines. Lalamove’s corporate clients can enjoy the on-demand delivery platform’s variety of business solutions, such as multi-stop delivery, API integration, real-time GPS tracking, a wide variety of fleet for on-demand, same-day, long distance, and last-mile delivery, and a dedicated account manager.

“The Philippines has more than 900,000 businesses, over 99% of which are MSMEs. What Lalamove offers businesses of all sizes is faster, easier, and a more seamless delivery experience to help them save time and costs. Our dedicated partner drivers, the economic frontliners of today, are here to deliver to an even wider reach across Luzon and in Cebu. This campaign is the visualization of what we can do to help businesses jump over hurdles – simply put, just ‘Lalamove It to Win It!’” remarked Dannah Majarocon, Lalamove Philippines Managing Director.

First-time users of the Lalamove mobile delivery app can get up to Php 150 off when they sign up and use the code LALAWINIT. New corporate clients, on the other hand, can also receive a welcome bonus of up to Php 1,200 when they sign up and top-up their Lalamove corporate wallet. Moreover, with Lalamove Rewards recently launched, each delivery for every user is now made even more rewarding.

Find out more about what Lalamove offers by visiting www.lalamove.com/lalamoveittowinit, or follow the official Lalamove Facebook page, Instagram account, and TikTok account for more information.

***

ABOUT LALAMOVE

Launched in the Philippines in late 2016, Lalamove is an on-demand logistics company that matches drivers with customers and SME businesses to fulfill same-day deliveries. Lalamove’s mission of making local deliveries faster and simpler across North, Central, and South Luzon, and in Cebu is achieved through innovations such as instant order matching, real-time GPS vehicle tracking, 24/7 services, and a driver rating system. Lalamove also allows businesses to scale their deliveries and operations at an accelerated rate. Lalamove now operates in over 30 markets across Asia and Latin America. Visit Lalamove’s website: http://lalamove.com

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Featured

King-size Treats Await Dad this Father’s Day at Seda Central Bloc

Misto Restaurant at Seda Central Bloc

King-size Treats for the King!

by Ryan Daniel R. Dablo

Seda Central Bloc celebrates the hardworking hero and steadfast lynchpin of the home with its offerings for Father’s Day weekend. 

 

At the Misto, Seda’s restaurant, Dad gets to sample the delicious international cuisine for free when dining with five full-paying adults. If an evening dine-out is more the family’s speed, the Straight Up bar offers a dinner buffet with a continental menu and mocktails, all enjoyed amid a backdrop of excellent cityscape views from the rooftop. Staycation at the hotel comes packed with perks for the weekend as well, such as complimentary lunch at the Misto, drinks at the Straight Up bar, and breakfast for two.

Honor your number one hero and highlight the love you have for him this Father’s Day weekend. Celebrate at Seda Central Bloc!

For more information, please call  (032) 411 5800. Follow their Facebook page or visit their website at www.sedahotels.com.

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Fashion

37 Years of High Fashion; Arcy Gayatin leaves a Legacy of Edginess and Elegance

Arcy Gayatin: A Legacy of Luxury in Fabrication

 

By:  Allain Dumon Fonte 

 

The brand Arcy Gayatin gave the Queen City of the South a distinct reputation in the fashion industry.  The fashion line of Arcy Gayatin sets the bar higher each year for clothing luxury and fabrication techniques.

 

April Duenas, Nikki Gayatin and Arielle Gayatin for Arcy Gayatin—Photos by John Paul Autor from Lifestyle Inquirer.net

 

Araceli “Arcy” Ancajas Gayatin is the daughter Galileo Ancajas and Remedios Zanoria Ancajas who founded Cebu’s home brand, Gal’s Bakery.  Arcy went to the University of San Carlos and studied Political Science.  And just like Dr. Muccia Prada, who completed her Ph.D. in Political Science and established the luxury line of Prada, Arcy also got in touch with her artistic side and started her own fashion line.  However, it was not Prada that influenced Arcy.  Arcy was introduced to fashion and tailoring at a very young age by her mother, Madame Remedios Anacajas whom they dearly call Mama Eme.  Mama Eme was running a tailoring business back then.  It was called Arabel; named after Arcy and her sister Belma.  Ara from Araceli and Bel from Belma.  In those years, Arcy was fascinated by fabrics and was intrigued by how to manipulate the fabrics to come up with fashion-forward designs without compromising comfort and taste.

 

Arcy Gayatin (photo grabbed from Space Philippines Blog Spot)

 

After 37 years of creating haute couture pieces for the most fashionable personalities in the Philippines, Arcy Gayatin is now laying down her sketchpads and pens to rest.  As she enjoys her retirement, may be on a cruise to the Bahamas or a holiday to the Swiss Alps, Arcy Gayatin has left the fashion industry a legacy of elegant and edgy clothing ensembles that understand and define the shape of women; without compromising comfort and good taste.

 

Arcy Gayatin’s Pink Flamingo collection                                               Arcy Gayatin’s Sketch on a Terno

 

To salute the lady who brought Cebu fashion to the world, a retrospective exhibition of Arcy’s incomparable masterpieces can be seen today at Ayala Center Cebu’s The Gallery; curated by fashion editor and writer, Clint Holton Potestas, and interior and fashion designer, Jul Oliva.

 

BALANCE.  Arcy Gayatin is known for her perfect symmetrical lines when fabricating.  She knows how to balance edginess and class; understanding well the strength and the finesse of a woman.

 

RHYTHM.  Arcy’s expertise in draping and fabric manipulation can be seen in how she achieves rhythm between architectural lines and soft fabrics like silk and cashmere.

 

TEXTURE.  With her thorough knowledge on fabrics, Arcy Gayatin has achieved the perfection of fabrication by working on different types of fabrics and creating a single piece of art out of them. 

 

HARMONY.  The simplicity of the silhouette plus the intricacy of the details create a wonderful harmony, making Arcy Gayatin’s design a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

           

The photos below show an up-close look at the intricacy and the exquisite craftsmanship of Arcy Gayatin’s fabrication techniques:

 

THE SPIDER WEB:  one of Arcy’s genius fabrication techniques.

 

MATCH and PATCH:  Arcy’s unique fabrication craft by patching layers of different types of lace and lace patterns

 

PLEATS: The perfection of symmetry in pleats on silk.

 

LA ROSE BLEUE:  U.P. student, Danielle Alessandra Deutsch, inspired by the artistry of Arcy Gayatin, designed this midnight blue dress.   The cabbage rose made from layers of silk organdy gave this evening ensemble a romantic appeal.

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