Anya Resort Tagaytay hosts the second installment of its Wine Dinner Series on April 24, 2025, at its signature restaurant, Samira by Chele Gonzalez. With limited seats available, early reservations are highly recommended to secure your spot.
Last February, Anya Resort Tagaytay launched the first edition of its highly anticipated Wine Dinner Series—an evening that transported guests to the heart of Spain through an inspired culinary journey. Showcasing wines from Ribera del Duero, a Spanish province renowned for its distinctive grape varietals, the night offered more than just fine dining; it was a celebration of taste, craftsmanship, and culture.
Guests enjoyed a carefully composed menu of Spanish dishes prepared with heart by Anya’s General Manager (and occasional chef), Mikel Arriet, and perfectly paired with wines selected by sommeliers Pierre and Cyril Adison. It was, without question, a night—and a meal—to remember.
Now, for its second edition, Anya Resort is raising the bar with an exciting Four Hands Dinner—an exclusive collaboration between Anya Resort’s Executive Chef Chris Leaning and El Born’s Chef David Amoros. This special fine-dining event marks a first in the Philippines, uniting two Spanish restaurants accredited by Spain’s prestigious Certificado de Calidad. The evening will feature a five-course pairing dinner that explores the bold flavors of Catalonia’s Terra Alta wine region.
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A Celebration of Catalan Flavors
Anya Resort Tagaytay has long been known for its refined culinary experiences. Its signature restaurant, Samira by Chele Gonzalez, remains a must-visit destination within the luxury resort just south of Manila. This upcoming dinner brings a new creative synergy to the kitchen, as Amoros—lauded for his expertise in Catalan cuisine—joins forces with Leaning to present a menu paired with wines from Edetària winery. Selections will be curated by Alfonso and Bianca Javier of La Bodega and presented by Nani Ramon Capdevila, Global Export Manager of Edetària.
The event will spotlight heritage-driven cooking, showcasing the Spanish region’s incredible flavors through a thoughtful mix of local and international ingredients. Highlights to look out for include Bullabesa, a Catalan take on the classic French Bouillabaisse, a rich seafood soup. “It’s a recipe that belongs to my wife Ivone’s family, [who were] fishermen from Torredembarra Town (Tarragona),” shares Chef David Amoros. “Her grandmother Marina, was a great cook, and she taught me this recipe. They used fresh catch of the day that was unable to be sold on the market, and they recycled the ingredients to do it.”
Also on the menu is Cecina de Vaca Vieja, a melt-in-your-mouth serving of salted and sun-dried mature beef, topped with Spanish olive oil and Mahón cheese. And the pièce de résistance: a rosemary and hazelnut-crusted lamb cutlet served with Cazuela de Judías and aubergine.
Chef Chris Leaning, renowned for his exciting take on Spanish cuisine, has worked closely with the El Born chef to create something truly special. “Chef David and myself are in constant communication regarding the ideas and flavors being used in our collaboration,” he shared. “I get my inspiration from Chef David being the guest chef [and] the way he talks about the passion of his food and area from whence he came… I see many similarities to how our families, parents, and grandparents would cook, like Chef David and his wife Ivone’s family were fishermen and farmers—so were mine in the north of England. This for me has evoked memories of my grandparents and home, which I can relate to with Chef David.”
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Good Wine and Sustainability
For the Four Hands Dinner, Anya will also spotlight its sustainability practices and longstanding support for small-scale farmers and producers, both in the Philippines and overseas. In addition to sourcing many ingredients from the local farming community, the resort is collaborating with Edetària, a family-owned winery from Spain’s Terra Alta region. This partnership underscores Anya’s commitment to championing artisanal craftsmanship in both the culinary and wine scenes, while celebrating a harmonious blend of local and international flavors.
Edetària’s dedication to sustainable practices, organic viticulture, and the preservation of century-old vineyards guarantees that every bottle captures the essence and authenticity of the Mediterranean terroir. Guests can expect wines like Garnacha Blanca, Garnacha Negra, and Garnacha Peluda to be paired with the evening’s menu, offering a taste of Catalan wine culture right here in the Philippines.
Nani Ramon Capdevila, Export Manager of Edetària shares, “We have been in discussion with our local partner, Alvero Vinos (of La Bodega), for sometime now, to find ways to best exhibit the wines we proudly produce. Not long ago, they reached out to us about working out an opportunity with Anya Resort. They have mentioned Anya beforehand and with the resort being well-renowned, we were thrilled at the prospect of collaborating.”
He adds: “This became more meaningful when we were told of the participation of Chef David Amoros because, as I am told, he hails from Tarragona which is right next door to the home of Edetària in Gandesa, Catalunya. We have seen from posts of Chef David’s wonderful take on traditional Catalan cuisine and these definitely pair well with our proudly made wines from the area. A perfect marriage of food & wine awaits!”
“Creating unique experiences is in the DNA of Anya,” concludes Mikel Arriet, General Manager of Anya Resort Tagaytay. “Our collaboration with guest chefs, wine cellars, and producers allows us to offer our guests a deeper understanding of the culinary world, from grapes and terroirs to the wine bottle itself. This Four Hands Dinner is a prime example of the kind of immersive, top-tier dining experiences we aim to deliver.”
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to enjoy a memorable evening of Spanish flavors, world-class wines, and the culinary expertise of two renowned chefs on April 24, 2025. Tickets are limited, so reservations are highly recommended.
For inquiries and bookings, please contact Samira by Chele Gonzalez at 0998 955 3630 or Anya Elite at 0998 847 5026. Special Suite rates are available for guests of the Four Hands Wine Dinner. Call Anya reservations to inquire at 0917 704 6159.
Photographs courtesy of Anya Resort Tagaytay
