Why You Shouldn't Miss Chefs Edward Chong, Nicco Santos, and Quenee Vilar's Collab Dinner
After a successful collaboration dinner held at Café Aurora in Makati last July 2023, our very own dynamic chef duo, Nicco Santos and Quenee Vilar, will be teaming up again with Edward Chong, the Executive Chinese Chef of Peach Blossoms restaurant located in Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore.
This exclusive one-night-only event happening on October 8 will offer diners a special preview of what’s to come at Celera, the latest concept by Santos and Vilar. Inspired by the Malaysian word selera, which means desire for food and eatery, it is set to heighten the enthusiasm for fine dining in the Philippines when it opens its doors at the end of 2024. Their previous venture, Restaurant Aurora, bagged a Best New Restaurant award only a year after opening. This upcoming restaurant launch, which will feature their signature bold mix of eclectic Southeast Asian flavors, is anticipated to be equally renowned.
BBQ Beef Short Ribs
Meanwhile, Chong is further cementing his status as one of the most important culinary personalities in Singapore. He is set to showcase his expertise in redefining Chinese cuisine through a modern and innovative approach. Under his leadership, Peach Blossoms has won prestigious recognitions including the Top 100 Restaurants of the World 2023 at the Luxury Lifestyle Awards 2023 and ranking No. 74 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 51-100 Extended List for 2024, making it the top Chinese restaurant in Singapore on that list.
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Crudo
The specially curated eight-course menu will capture the culinary harmony among the three distinguished chefs. Some of the highlights will include Santos and Vilar's signature Chawanmushi, a silky soy milk egg custard with the essence of blue crab and aromatic allium foam. Traditional Peranakan Pie Tee will be given a modern, elevated twist through the use of oysters, century egg mousse, and grilled baby clams in the recipe. The traditional Crudo using Japanese Amberjack fish will be complemented with jalapeño sauce, extra virgin olive oil, and white onions. There will also be an exciting dish of Foie Gras Parfait with roasted bone marrow, Etag marmalade, tamarind, green sorrel, and buckwheat tartlet.
Foie Gras Parfait
Newly developed dishes collaborated on by the chefs are expected to be showstoppers during the evening. Among these creations are the Low-Temperature Lobster with Chilled Garlic Yuzu-Infused Noodles and the Roasted Suckling Pig with Harbin Rice.
As the grand finale, Santos and Vilar will serve their BBQ Beef Short Ribs. Braised for 48 hours until it becomes fall-off-the-bone tender, this hearty dish will be accompanied by local herbs, aromatic citrus and roasted chili gel, liver sauce, toasted rice, and ginger flowers.
The Peach Blossoms x Celera Collaboration Dinner will be on October 8, 7 p.m. at Peach Blossoms at Parkroyal Collection Marina Bay, Singapore (Level 5). To reserve, visit https://eshop-prsmb.panpacific.com/products/peachblossoms-celera. Limited seats are available.
