Gustatory Adventures: Exploring The Philippines’ Flavors

This resort’s Celebrity Chef Series lets guests travel across the country’s 7,641 islands with their tastebuds.

This is an excerpt from Lifestyle Asia’s May 2023 Issue. 

Lime Resort El Nido is a very popular hotel in El Nido not only because of its spacious rooms and beautiful Sky Lounge with an infinity pool; the resort is only 15 minutes away from the airport and Lio Beach. 

In addition to the good food they serve there, including El Nido’s famous and amazing Bella Vita pizza and pasta, they have come up with a Celebrity Chef Series which kicked off last March 15, 2023. 

READ ALSO: Negrense Delights: Savoring The Best Of Negros Cuisine

Chef Sau del Rosario of Sawsaw and Cafe Fleur
Chef Sau prepares a feast

The first series features guest chef Sau del Rosario of Sawsaw and Cafe Fleur. Chef Sau has refined his culinary craft not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the world. He has been cooking Filipino cuisine most of his life and put his own distinct touches in his creative dishes.

Chef Sau del Rosario
Chef Sau Del Rosario

The Pampanga native says, “I am pleased to collaborate with Lime Hotel and Resorts for the Celebrity Chef Series. ‘Arkipelago: Featuring Food from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao’ brings together the unique mix and tastes of the three major islands of the Philippines. I hope anyone who goes to El Nido will be pleased with the line-up I prepared as they rediscover the culinary delights that are part of our culture.” 

Chef Sau del Rosario Chicken Galantina
Chicken Galantina
Chef Sau del Rosario Grilled Lobsters
Grilled Lobsters

A sample of what del Rosario prepared for Luzon were a refreshing Kinilaw na Maya-maya with Coconut Lime and Fish Roe, Sisig Pampanguena with Calamansi pearls (ingeniously eradicating having to squeeze the citrus fruit) served on Fish Crackers, Mussels in Coconut Lemongrass Soup, Chicken Galantina with Chorizo and Citrus Chicken jus, Sous Vide Lengua with Mushroom Confit in a Truffle Pastel Sauce, and his famous and delicious dish Crispy Pork Belly with Macadamia Kare-kare Sauce, served in his Manila restaurants. 

Chef Sau del Rosario Crispy pork belly with macadamia Kare-kare Sauce
Crispy Pork Belly with Macadamia Kare-kare Sauce

Island hopping is a main activity in El Nido where guests eat lunch at one of the islands. Lime El Nido elevates this for their guests with their lunch arranged and brought to any of their stopovers. The Celebrity Chef Series provides a well-curated menu serving hot and fresh (and more importantly, hygienic) food, and a cozy table set-up, completing the perfect island experience.

Read more by purchasing a copy of the Lifestyle Asia May 2023 magazine via SariSari.shopping or select newsstands in National Bookstore and Fully Booked. Subscribe to the E-Magazine via Readly, Magzter, and Press Reader. 

Photos courtesy of Pepper Teehankee. 

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