It was “In 2 White” affair last September 16 with the commemoration of the 2nd anniversary of the Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort & Spa (M.L. Quezon Highway, Brgy. Maribago, Lapu-Lapu City, phone: 494-5000, http://www.imperialpalace-cebu.com/). Guests, attired in white beach casual, were ushered into the Aquapolis where the main festivities were held.
Things are cooking very fast in this resort; just recently, your favorite food columnist was a guest at the Coral Restaurant Media Dinner to meet the new General Manager Mr. Simon Yang and the new Executive Western Chef Trevor Furner.
Barely a year ago, Chaine des Rotisseurs held a fellowship night, the “Imperial Ports of Call” which featured the Royal Court Cuisines of two countries, Korea and China. And that event, murag prediction of future developments, because the main highlight of the 2nd anniversary celebration was the introduction of the Imperial Palace’s Power of Two, (Korea) Chairman Yong Jun Park and (China) President Justin Uy. Very formidable, this combination of the Imperial families of Park and Uy!
Another reason for the merriment was an announcement from the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) during their Silver Anniversary Gala last July. A list of 10 luxurious destinations in the Philippines was released. And, excuse me, Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa made it to the top ten (three from Cebu!).
There were several food stations during the cocktails/dinner and guests could select what type of dishes they would prefer. Food Station One was the Cebuano Lechon and beside it was Station Two serving Sate Beef and Chicken.
Prawn Tempura Station was the most popular and for the next four hours, the two chefs were busy satisfying a seemingly unending demand for this Japanese delicacy. Opposite this station was the appetizer stand which displayed the following: Grilled Pysanne Aubergine Roulade, Whole Shrimp on Toast and Carne Asada con Crispy Tortilla. The latter dish was a surprise because the slice of succulent watermelon had a taste of chili. Nice!
The next food stand had these dishes: Itlog Maalat Ensaymada, Sautéed Green Mussel in Olive Oil, Local Chorizo and a trio of tapas, the Vegetable Samosa, Sisig Spring Roll and Mini Pork Empanada. I had a difficult time dissecting the nuisances of the three tapas but in the end the empanada was the better version.
Gone are the days when I could stand for four hours with ease and consume my food. Fortunately that night, I was seated on the second best seat in the Aquapolis … on a bar stool and the very friendly bartenders kept my wine glasses loaded. You will never know who you will meet seeking refreshments and I did meet a young lady, daughter of a friend and the last time I met her was 20 years ago.
Man cannot live on bread alone and neither can I drink only wine the whole night. Preferably, closing remarks to this wonderful Imperial Palace 2nd Anniversary celebration would be a glass of cognac and things are really different if you know an eventologist like Stanz Catalan.