Ultimate Taste Test 9.0 @Soderno – Successful First UTT in the South (despite the Mesocyclone)

(ATTN 8/9/2012: Mezza Norte@Ayala Technohub will  be closed today Aug.9  to give time for the vendors to recover and to give way to relief efforts. Distrito in Makati will resume operations this Thursday (Aug. 9) and Mercato Centrale will resume operations tomorrow Friday (Aug. 10).  We are also accepting donations (non-perishable food and clothes) for the flood victims in Mercato and Soderno as of August 8. Soderno@Molito will be closed for tent maintenance because it was damaged by the heavy winds and rains last weekend.)

Read First: UTT 9.0: Tips To Have An Awesome Ultimate Taste Test Experience @SODERNO!

Thank you to all the food vendors and foodies who attended and made Ultimate Taste Test 9.0 @ SODERNO a success despite the Mesocyclone that hit Metro Manila that night.

Here is a photo essay summary of what happened in UTT 9.0: 

Related Posts on UTT 9.0:
ABS-CBN News | ‘Mesocyclone’ hit Metro Manila, expert says 
Pinoy Life At Large | Ultimate Taste Test 2012 rocks Molito in Alabang
GMA News Online by Patricia Calzo Vega | Ultimate Taste Test 9.0 makes the grade 
Lafanggero | Ultimate Taste Test 9.0 takes South via Storm
Adian Benipayo’s The Feed

• The Ultimate Taste Test Challenge Part 1- Sisig, Bagwang, Chorizo and Pulled-Pork
• The Ultimate Taste Test Challenge Part 2- Crunchy Belly, A Happy Panda, Nihonjin Delights and Street Food
• The Ultimate Taste Test Challenge Part 3: Pocket Pies, V.I.P.s And Some Chinese Cuisines
• The Ultimate Taste Test Challenge Part 4: Dessert Galore!

UTT’s first time at the South —  Soderno @ Molito Lifestyle Center.

I liked the UTT@Soderno because we felt relaxed and the crowd flow was steady.

The event officially opened around 6.30pm when our partner and host RJ Ledesma welcomed the foodie crowd.  The event ended at about 10.00pm.

Dining tables were available in the airconditioned area…

…and our alfresco area.

 

Mommie Corrie’s VIP Chicharon

I was so excited that my favorite VIP Chicharon finally joined the UTT series.

It’s crunchy all throughout and not oily at all. We had fun munching on it. 🙂

Watch out for Mommy Corrie’s VIP Chicharon as they start to introduce this to foodies. 🙂 

Aidan enthusiastically rated the food, and he gave VIP Chicharon a rating of 5. He is now officially a kiddie food critic. 🙂

 

Happy Panda

It’s about time that someone brings in a concept similar to Panda Express that merges the flavors of American and Asian cuisine.

I liked the Crispy Chicken shots with the oozing signature sweet sauce.

Good luck to the Happy Panda team! I do think their concept will work.

 

Calidad Española

Calidad Española is a company dedicated to providing high quality Spanish Chorizos. It was founded in June 2012 by foodies who lived in Spain for the last 40 years.

They sell four variants (Christorra, Chorizo Picante, Chorizo de Cantimpalos, and Chorizo Criollo) for P225/pack (approx. 250g).

Good luck to Colleen and Myleen Huenefeld and Reena Lagdameo on your Calidad Española business!

 

Bread Winner

We preferred Bread Winner’s Pulled Pork over the Salmon Burger.

 

Dessert Discoveries

Nutella Rocks continues to rock the foodies of the South in Ultimate Taste Test 9.0. 🙂 

(Read UTT8: Global Gastronomy Winner: “NUTELLA ROCKS!” by Baked Bites)

I liked Especial Goat’s Milk Pastillas de Leche — very milky soft.

A lot of foodies were also rooting for Red Velvet Crinkles by Little Bites Cupcakery to win the taste test.

Raphael enjoying his first Ultimate Taste Test experience. 🙂

I also enjoyed the high quality sorbet from Pure Flavors because they were quite tasty and not icy at all. I liked the Chocolate flavor while some foodies liked the Pistachio.

Merry Moo Artisan Ice Cream, the overall winner in Ultimate Taste Test 7.0, introduced his new flavor — Chili Bacon Tablea!

(Read Ultimate Taste Test 7.0 Winner: Merry Moo’s Queso de Bola and Food for the Gods!)

And there was also Liquor Ice Cream by Frisch!

 

Drinks Discoveries

Mocktail Republic’s Mango Margarita served with salt was awesome.

The boys loved it; they kept coming back for more and more. 🙂

Another favorite was Organikka’s healthy vegetable juice drinks (P125/bottle). We really liked all the flavors of Moringa, Ampalaya and the Four-in-One.

Khao Shong Thai Instant Coffee was also interesting. I didn’t know that the Thais have their own coffee brand.

It was also nice to discover that we have our own coffee liqueur — Goofy Goat’s Kape Liqueur.

…and Goofy Goat’s Ginger Liqueur.

Foodies were also treated to Dairy Fresh Goat’s Milk at the UTT. 🙂

 

Mercato Vendor Discoveries

The Mercato vendors were in full force to join Soderno’s Ultimate Taste Test Challenge, including:

Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen’s Panzarotti — Authentic Italian Pizza Pockets.

Chef BAB’s Sisig and Squid Sisig by Dads Moms Kitchen.

Crispy Isaw and Laman Loob by Nina’s Grill.

Mrs. Po’s Chinese Food spread — from fresh lumpia, kikiam, cu-chai to camaron.

Ultimate Taste Test 5.0 Winner Manila Q’s Fish Ham and Bagwang. 🙂

(Read Ultimate Taste Test 5.0 Winner: Manila Q’s Bagwang and Fish Ham)

Showbiz Isaw.

Cebu’s Balamban Liempo.

Crunchy Belly by Carlo’s Kitchen. Deadly pulutan!

Chicago Pizza!

Tonton Chaya’s Ramen and Okonomiyaki (Japanese pizza).

Ensaymada by Piper’s Pan.

Thank you for all the support and for making Ultimate Taste Test 9.0 @Soderno a success!

And the UTT 9.0 Winners are… (Watch out for the results!)

Stay safe and stay dry, guys! 

Related Blog Posts:
ABS-CBN News | ‘Mesocyclone’ hit Metro Manila, expert says 
Pinoy Life At Large | Ultimate Taste Test 2012 rocks Molito in Alabang
GMA News Online by Patricia Calzo Vega | Ultimate Taste Test 9.0 makes the grade 
Lafanggero | Ultimate Taste Test 9.0 takes South via Storm
Adian Benipayo’s The Feed

• The Ultimate Taste Test Challenge Part 1- Sisig, Bagwang, Chorizo and Pulled-Pork
• The Ultimate Taste Test Challenge Part 2- Crunchy Belly, A Happy Panda, Nihonjin Delights and Street Food
• The Ultimate Taste Test Challenge Part 3: Pocket Pies, V.I.P.s And Some Chinese Cuisines
• The Ultimate Taste Test Challenge Part 4: Dessert Galore!

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P.S. Thank you to the Mercato Centrale Girls and Erwin for organizing UTT9.0 @Soderno!