Chaine Cebu at 18

CEBU, Philippines - The much anticipated eighteenth anniversary of the Bailliage de Cebu of La Chaine des Rotisseurs was celebrated with a strictly formal sit-down dinner at the Grand Ballroom of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel.

On hand to welcome members and their guests were Bailli Delegue Philippines Michel Lhuillier and his ever supportive wife Amparito who is the Bailli de Cebu. Also at the reception line was the hotel’s affable general manager Hans Hauri and his sociable wife Bo.

At the foyer, glasses of perfectly chilled champagne from the private collection of Michel Lhuillier were passed around.

Soon after, the solid wooden doors of the ballroom opened to reveal two long rectangular tables that were fabulously decorated. Guests took to their assigned seats and shortly after, the first of a well-thought out seven course meal was served. For starters, there was smoked duck carpaccio, foie gras ice cream with yogurt biscuit, followed by chicken rillette, sweetbread, lobster and sea bass dry shot. Apple-Martini, shaken not stirred, cleansed the palate before savoring the crusted veal tenderloin with crispy scampi and spinach brulee, paired with Cellier Des Princes, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, France 2008. At the end of a truly pleasurable feast, an assortment of sweets consisting of caramel space cake, chocolate lipstick, liquid nitro marshmallows and whipped strawberry whisk was enjoyed by everyone. The gastronomic extravaganza earned for Executive Chef Luke Gagnon, F&B Director Stephan Weinprich and their team a well deserved Certificate of Excellence.

A lively musical show titled The Clockwork Princess unfolded and invitees marveled at the awesome presentation. The story was written by Jessica McYorker, Therese Estalilla and Vincent Gaton. Rhina Senining Echivarre played the title role while Yemma Senining Judilla and Greame Elmido were the king and queen.   Gabriel Gomez was the tinkerer.

As in all anniversaries, an extremely large   six-tiered cake was wheeled in. Michel and Amparito gamely went through the exercise of cutting the cake as the well trained serving brigade efficiently distributed them to the invitees.

The well-liked Angie Mathieu was also celebrating her birthday.   Siblings Michel and Marguerite Lhuillier led the singing of the birthday song. 

The Chaine anniversary was truly a treat for all the senses. The members and their guests enjoyed a festive and joyful evening.