Dinner with Maurice Hennessy

Maurice Richard Hennessy, an eighth-generation descendant of the Hennessy family, was in Manila for a dinner reception in his honor at the Makati Shangri-La’s Rizal Ballroom.

Moët Hennessy Asia Pacific-Philippine representative office invited its closest friends and partners including members of media and trade for a sit-down dinner with an expertly Hennessy-paired menu. 

Maurice, a member of the Maison Hennessy ambassador team, also conducted a tasting for the guests. Who better to speak of Hennessy cognac than a true Hennessy and vineyard owner himself?

Guests were first received right outside the Ballroom where Hennessy V.S.O.P. long cocktails and canapés such as smoked salmon with crème fraîche and basil jelly, almond-crusted scallop in cucumber wrap, and black roe wood-smoked pigeon with raisin croquette were served. 

Guests were then led to the ballroom where two long tables were elegantly set for dinner as opening remarks were delivered by Moët Hennessy area director for Asia Pacific Steven Bullock. He then introduced Maurice, who spoke a few words on Hennessy’s rich history before leading a toast. David Celdran hosted the event.

A special menu was prepared to pair perfectly with Hennessy XO’s complex flavor profile. For starters, there was smoked duck breast with morello cherries, citrus basil jelly, celeriac apple and aged balsamic. This was followed by lobster bisque with roule bread. Apple sorbet was served as a palate cleanser  to ready guests for the main course of beef cheek, cèpes with walnut gnocchi, greens and truffle jus bread.

To cap the night, guests were served Hennessy Paradis Imperial paired with a dark chocolate hazelnut delight. Sipping one of the world’s finest cognacs was truly a pleasure for Hennessy enthusiasts.