Local Farm-to-Table Pioneer Gourmet Farms Has Something New to Say

Somebody from the '60s must've rolled their eyes when they heard about the idea of farm-to-table. While the whole movement might trace its roots from as far back as the 1910s, it only started to be taken seriously by, well, hippies. Eventually it expanded to become a worldwide eco-culinary phenomenon.

In the Philippines, we got to it much later. One of its most staunch advocates and pioneers happens to be Gourmet Farms in Silang, Cavite, a brainchild of businessman-producer-farmer-coffee-guy extraordinaire Ernest Escaler. It started as a coffee trading company in the '70s before becoming something much, much more.

From his travels, specifically in Italy (which he considers a second home), Escaler hatched the idea of bringing the concept to the country back in the '80s through Gourmet Cafe and a humble two-hectare estate.

"We started to introduce it (organic concepts) to groceries for people to get to know Gourmet Farms as a brand in Manila," Franchise Operations Paolo Quimson notes.

The uplands in the south, namely Tagaytay, Amadeo, and Silang, seemed like the perfect place to start the movement in the country. Here, the soil is rich and the cool air is suitable for vegetation. We already know that, we suppose.

What we don't know, however, is what has become of Gourmet Farms since. In the '90s, this roadside enclave of sorts was a regular stopover. See, Tagaytay is roughly 10 minutes away from the farm, and some yuppies from Manila saw this as quite the al fresco hangout. Now, tucked in between lush fields and herby milieu, this 12-hectare sanctuary has flowed with the tide of the times.

"We just stayed the course," he explains. "We kept to our rustic menu, this Italian homegrown feel, comfort from the countryside. Everything is more natural. It's straightforward food and we have fantastic chefs who bring it all together."

Gourmet Farms has managed to keep things as fresh as can be, from the menu to the farm trail to The Sanctuary and the newly minted The Dining Room.

ALSO READ:

See Inside an Idyllic Farmhouse With Four Villas in Batangas

Inside The Farm at San Benito's Luxury Suites and Villas

Daytime in and Around the Farm

A shot of the Sanctuary of St. Joseph; "Regrettably, staycations are not allowed in the retreat facility, as it is dedicated to reflection and learning."

A typical morning at Gourmet Farms tends to have a revolving cast of characters. These are your joggers, bikers, random celebrities, families, and pets strolling through the gravel and the greenery. The smell of arabica and robusta coffee around the air are a delight to the senses. Lettuce production areas and farms and carabaos and farmers adorn the scenic landscape. This is what calm looks like.

It's most evident in an area called The Sanctuary, a compound that would make for quite the retreat venue, we might add. It's complete with outdoor sitting and meditation areas, 10 rooms (very zen), a chapel, and more. The area looks like a place straight out of the Mediterranean countryside, like an old-timey villa in Como or Tuscany when the light hits just right.

Scenes from the farm.

h

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gourmet Farms (@gourmetfarmsph)>p

>pLet's run through the menu while we're at it. The place is known for its salads, too. One of which is Gourmet Farms' Eggy Caesar. Packed with pancetta, grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes with Romaine lettuce or kale, its poached egg gives it a Mediterranean twist. They say putting eggs in the salad can help absorb more nutrients from the veggies. This is definitely an interesting touch.>pKeeping up with the Greek, and Italian sensibilities, the joint serves some fine pizzas. Might we suggest the Spinaci e Ricotta Pizza or a classic margherita? These are freshly baked, bubbly in crust, and incredibly light on the palate.>pThe Eggy Ceasar and the Branzino Alla Griglia.>p