Cebu Chaine at 20!

CEBU, Philippines - The Chaine des Rotisseurs in Cebu, an international gastronomic society that shares mutual interests in good   food and exceptional wine, recently celebrated its 20th  anniversary.

Michel Lhuillier, member of the Conseil Magistral and Bailli Delegue for the Philippines, and his ever supportive wife, Amparito, Bailli of Cebu, organized two distinctly different events to mark such an auspicious occasion. 

The festivities began with an informal dinner at the stately home the   of the Lhuilliers in Maria Luisa Park where guests enjoyed a typical Filipino buffet that showcased different cooking styles from several regions, prepared by the much sought-after Café Laguna.

The second evening  had members and guests in formal attire for the induction ceremony and gala dinner held at the grand ballroom of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa.

Michel Lhuillier performed the traditional induction ritual, presenting each new member with a medallion and tapping their shoulders with a gold and silver official Chaines saber. The new members included dames and chevaliers: Maria Karina Escaño, Aida Mananquil, Cora Schweimler, Belinda Wong, Christopher Calligaro, Gerardus Montanus, Ramoncito Santos, Arten Zarei, Stephan Wieprich of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, June Alegrado of Maribago Bluewater Resort & Spa and Marybeth Chan of Marc and Mattheu Catering.

Elevated to higher ranks were Winglip Chang as Chancellier Culinaire, Richard Uysiuseng as “Pair de la Chaine”, and Michael Lhuillier, Miranda Konstantinidou and Louis Thevenin as officers.

Special loyalty awards were also given to three staff members for their invaluable dedication to the club in the past 20 years. They are Elmera Abellanosa, Vic-Vic Alquiza and Anita Rellon.

Recognized on stage for their distinction in writing were media practitioners Jaime Picornell, Nestor Alonso and this writer,  who each received vintage wines from Michel’s cellar.

Shangri-La Mactan General Manager Jurgen Doerr accompanied by his wife Jasmine, and food and beverage director Jurgen van Weerkum, ensured that the members and guests experienced a top class menu accompanied by superb Lhuillier wines and champagne. As expected, executive chef   Joris Rychen delighted everyone with a menu of remarkable flavors and tastes distinguished with a highly innovative presentation.  

Entertainment was provided by gifted soprano Feena Sabsy Troyo who was accompanied on the piano by equally talented pianist aptly called Beethoven.

The Lhuilliers concluded the evening with a heartfelt thank you to special guests Bailli de Manila Ferderico Borromeo and his charming wife Josephine, and to the entire service staff, which was echoed with an appreciative ovation by all in attendance. (FREEMAN)