Barbie came up with this fresh floral-themed table setting.
Suzi's was predominantly red and very festive, adorned with decorative Christmas ornaments and mini Christmas trees.
Meanwhile, Danica decided to make it distinctly Filipino by using rattan balls, Poinsettias, and a smattering of pastillas de leche (milk candies).
Danica also shared how she celebrates Christmas twice every year -- once with her dad Vic Sotto and once with her mom Dina Bonnevie.
All the food to be served that day would have Purefoods Fiesta Ham incorporated in the recipe. We started off with these yummy Ham Canapes. The lunch menu was conceptualized by Chef Glenda Barreto, owner of Via Mare.
Our official first course was Fruit and Vegetable Ham Salad. It was refreshingly delicious as it had honeydew melon balls, sliced beets, romaine lettuce, julienned carrots, and asparagus stalks wrapped in Purefoods Fiesta Ham slices. A very light citrus dressing was drizzled over it. Mmmm!
After the salad, a bowl of piping hot soup -- Green Peas and Ham Broth served with Knacker Bread, was laid out in front of us. The creamy and savory soup was garnished with bits of Purefoods Fiesta Ham. Everyone was quite pleased with the comforting soup. :)
Our main dish was Glazed Bone-in Leg of Ham with Candied Sweet Potato Gravy. Chef Glenda said she marinated the ham in beer. It was divine. I loved the candied sweet potatoes -- not overly sweet and the perfect complement to the tender tasty ham. Delicious!
One of the chefs at Via Mare demonstrated how the Purefoods Smoked Bone-in Fiesta Ham is carved.
The carved ham was served to us afterwards. :D
For dessert, we had Petit Bibingka Galapong with Ham and Queso de Bola. It's hands down the BEST bibingka (rice cake) I've ever had in my life. They definitely did not scrimp on the ingredients as the cake tasted very rich and buttery, yet it was not oily or greasy. Chef Glenda said she had one of her chefs make it from her own recipe. Had she actually cooked it herself it would be even better. Wow.
Event host Christine Jacob-Sandejas, the celebrity moms, and Chef Glenda Barreto (the one standing on Christine's right wearing gray) pose for a photo opp.
Purefoods Fiesta Ham! It costs around P465 in the supermarket.
This is Purefoods Smoked Bone-in Fiesta Ham -- it's actually a new product that's being introduced this Christmas season. I won one in a trivia game held during the event. :D
When they say Purefoods Fiesta Ham is the star of the Noche Buena, I believe them because I took home a couple and sliced them up for breakfast. My hubby and kids have been eating them for breakfast daily since. I was surprised at how tender, lean, and tasty the ham is even without any sauce (although it does come with a small packet of pineapple glaze that is not sold separately). I think I'll grab a couple more when I go grocery shopping. :D
Like this post? Subscribe to this blog by clicking HERE.
Become a Facebook Fan for more updates from Animetric's World.
