A select group of architects and interior designers gather for a delightful degustación experience that celebrates the best of design and dining.
As part of an exclusive dining series aptly entitled “Hapunan Sa Toyo,” Vipp, the minimalist and functional Danish home design and furniture brand, hosted a unique dinner at the esteemed and multi-awarded Toyo Eatery, currently ranked No. 24 in the coveted Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants List.
The exclusive dinner, attended by VIP guests made up of a few of the country’s leading architects, interior designers, and tastemakers showcased a seamless blend of Scandinavian design and Filipino gastronomy. On the Vipp VIP guest list were architect Alfred Wieneke of A.V. Wieneke III & Associates and his lovely wife Cecile; Anna Sy, managing director of the prestigious firm, CS Architects; and business partners and modern Filipino architects, Royal Pineda and Onet Coronel. They were joined by dynamic interior architects and designers Jigs Adefuin, Rossy Rojales, Tessa Alindogan, and Anton Barretto.
Gastronomy Meets Design
Guests were received by Toyo Eatery’s chef and owner, Jordy Navarra for bespoke welcome cocktails, which were served around the sleek Vipp V1 kitchen island in the newly-renovated “warehouse-chic” R&D Vipp kitchen of the internationally acclaimed restaurant. The intimate group mingled over creative drinks in the fascinating test kitchen before being led to an adjacent room where an indulgent, Filipino produce-forward dinner awaited. Adding an unexpected twist to the dining experience was the inventive albeit delicious cocktail pairings per plate, for a different approach from the usual wine pairings at such affairs.
Philip Nørgaard, Preferred Partner of Vipp, who flew in especially for the occasion as well as for the relaunch of the Vipp Manila showroom that week, expressed just how thrilled he was to meet the acclaimed Jordy Navarra, a Vipp kitchen client since 2021, as well as the gathering of top tier creatives and personalities in the room.
Founded in 1939, Vipp is a Danish design company specializing in furniture, lighting, and kitchenware. The brand is characterized by its timeless design, high-quality craftsmanship, and functionality. Renowned for its iconic products in kitchen, bath, and home furnishings, Vipp fuses function with timeless aesthetics.
Dinner was served in one of the second floor private dining rooms where Vipp home solutions and kitchen appliances were on proud display, setting the stage for an extraordinary dining experience while offering a glimpse into Vipp’s dedication to craftsmanship and aesthetic precision.
Exploring New Dimensions
At the heart of the “Hapunan Sa Toyo” experience, was the exquisite eight-course dinner, as well as the thoughtful cocktail pairings, all of which were wonderfully conjured up and created by Chef Navarra and his team in the Vipp R&D kitchen where welcome cocktails were initially served.
Chef Jordy Navarra’s remarkable culinary artistry was on full display throughout the exquisite eight-course dinner
The event showcased Vipp’s commitment to integrating lifestyle and design, creating environments that harmonize functionality with aesthetic excellence, with each course and pairing highlighting the parallels between Vipp’s minimalist elegance and Toyo Eatery’s dedication to local flavors and sustainable sourcing. From start to finish, the evening’s journey exemplified Vipp’s commitment to exploring new dimensions of design through sensory exploration, bridging cultural influences with culinary excellence.
This exclusive dinner series marks a significant step for Vipp into the realm of experiential luxury, combining its 85-year-old design ethos with the artistry of Filipino cuisine. This exceptional “Hapunan Sa Toyo” not only highlighted Vipp’s enduring commitment to craftsmanship and innovation, but also its dedication to fostering creative dialogue across global landscapes.
Signature Supper Club
As Nørgaard put it, “It was a real pleasure to experience the Vipp “Supper Club” taken out into the world. He was clearly beyond pleased to be at a restaurant across the globe from his native Denmark, where the Vipp kitchen is actually present and integrated into the guests’ gastronomic experience.
Nørgaard further shared his amazement as he observed close hand Chef Jordy Navarra’s extraordinary enthusiasm in the way that he works with his food and the pairing of the cocktails. “It was interesting to note the links to the way that the cuisine is developing in Denmark, in that Danish food is interpreted in a new Nordic way; and likewise, the way Chef Jordy did it for classic Filipino food seen in news way with local Philippine produce…so it was absolutely [memorable.] It was a beautiful night,” he exclaimed.
The aforementioned Supper Club concept that Nørgaard refers to is the title attributed to the original dinner series whereby Vipp hosts ocasional pop-up supper clubs inside the former Viking pencil factory in Copenhagen, thus expanding the Vipp universe beyond kitchen design to food and creative F&B concepts.
Supper Club was first launched in 2021 during the annual design festival, 3 Days of Design. The Vipp Pencil Factory is a vast 400-square-meter showroom space that hosts guest chefs from around the world, creating unique dining experiences for up to 26 guests at a time. The space itself was styled by interior designer Julie Cloos Mølsgaard combining furniture and accessories from Vipp’s collection with accent pieces sourced from local design galleries.
Creative Integration
“Vipp Philippines is delighted to share the “Hapunan Sa Toyo” experience as part of our Vipp dinner series. We are thrilled for its unique fusion of Danish design and Filipino gastronomy as this collaboration with Toyo Eatery allows us to explore new dimensions of creativity and cultural exchange, offering our guests an unforgettable sensory experience and a celebration of design and culinary artistry,” said Andrew Naval, General Manager of Vipp Philippines.
The evening’s esteemed guests were also unanimous in their praise at the evening’s conclusion. “What a wonderful experience: getting to know and feel Vipp, the stories, the company, and the food,” enthused Onet Coronel, partner of Royal + Architecture. “The dinner was excellent and Vipp has always been a personal favorite of mine,” said the soft spoken Anna Sy. “I had a wonderful time,” added Anton Barreto echoing the rest.
Nobody was more pleased with the “Hapunan Sa Toyo’s” outcome than Vipp Philippines GM Naval : “Tonight underscores our belief in creating experiences that enrich lives through thoughtful design and unforgettable moments.”
Photos by Josh Giron
Food photos courtesy of Toyo Eatery
