BIZU maintains their winning streak as the best caterer in Manila for the 4th time!
Last Sunday, food lovers flocked to Blue Leaf Events Pavilion at McKinley Hill to tastes what this year’s caterers had in store. Seven of the most established contenders such as Bizu, K by Cunanan, Mesclun, Hizon’s, Josiah’s, Albergus, and Juan Carlo fed the famished crowds.
Because of last year’s success, the stakes were even higher—caterers upped the ante with their improved food, service, and booth designs!
Related post: DON’T MISS… THE BIG BANQUET 4: BIG EATS, HUGE TREATS ON APRIL 17, SUNDAY
Here’s more about the winners at Big Banquet 4…
There are a total of 7 categories that each contender is rated on, namely:
- Best Set-Up
- Best Appetizer
- Best Main Dish
- Best Dessert
- Best Signature Dish
- Best Signature Drink
- Best Service
Then there is one overall winner (based on most accumulated number of votes). Much like last year’s mechanics, people vote by dropping their rating sheets into the corresponding boxes with the caterers’ names.
Enjoy all your meals with a beer in hand by none other than San Miguel Lifestyle Brews!
Choices of beers available are:
San Miguel Premium All Malt—great for chicken and fish.
San Miguel Super Dry—best enjoyed with red meats or pork.
Cerveza Negra—tastes even better when paired with desserts or chocolate.
#1. BIZU (Overall Winner, Best Appetizer, Best Signature Drink)
Over the years, Bizu has established their culinary prowess throughout the Big Banquet events—making them one of the toughest competitors to top.
Also winning Best Main Dish, Best Dessert, and Best Signature Dish last year, our expectations were even higher this time around!
***Best Appetizer***: EggBrat Coddled Eggs, Truffle Mushroom Cream, and Potato Mash
The gooey soft-boiled egg and truffle cream is a magical pairing!
Main Dish: An Unsual Pear Ravioli with Pear Purée, Pine Nuts, Bleu Cheese
The delicately sweet addition of Pear, mixed with the complexity of the Blue Cheese made this main dish unusually tasty.
Signature Dish: Summer Roast Special 10-Hr Slow Roast with Chocolate-infused Sauce and Red Cabbage Slaw
Don’t be put off by the chocolate sauce here—its cocoa tones are balanced by the mild spice and meatiness of the slow roast.
Dessert: Caramella Caramel and Macaron
The Caramella was one of the most decadent desserts we had—we fell in love with the salted caramel and the chewiness of the famous Bizu Macaron.
***Best Signature Drink***: Sunshine Schweppes, Perilla Seeds, Seasonal Fruits
The fruitiness of the concoction and the textural aspect given by the Perilla seeds made Sunshine the best drink in town!
Congratulations to Audrey and the Bizu family!
We kiss one another to show gratitude, happiness, excitement, love, and affection. A kiss inspires. And this inspiration begets energy. This energy, in turn, begets creativity. BIZU was born out of this inspiration.
From this inspiration came the unique selection of cakes and pastries that were truly made to inspire. It all began with a dream to have an authentic Parisian Patisserie where the finest French pastries and European breads can be savored right in the Philippines. With much training and patience, our Filipino chefs have learned the magical art of the French Patisserie. Indeed, ensuring the most flavorful and artful products are brought to your homes is a labor of love.
From a kiosk/café at the third floor of Glorietta 4 that started operations in 2001, BIZU now has three more outlets in Greenbelt 2, Alabang Towncenter, and at The Promenade inside Greenhills Shopping Center.
The menu includes all day breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner items.
Customers are not to leave without the chewy pastel-colored Macarons de Paris that Bizu Patisserie is known for.
BIZU CATERING STUDIO
First Midland Building, 109 Gamboa Street, Legaspi Village, 1223 Makati City
Email: catering-concierge@bizugroupe.com
Telephone Numbers: +632 845-0590 / 845-0591 / 845-05-92 / 845-02-93
Store hours: 10:00pm – 7:00pm
Bizu Commissary
Pacific Hardwood Building, 2158 Chino Roces, Brgy. Pio del Pilar, 1230 Makati City
Telephone Number: +(632) 843-6186
Twitter: @BizuPH
Facebook: Bizu Patisserie & Bistro
Website: http://www.bizupatisserie.com/
#2 K by Cunanan (Best Dessert, Best Signature Dish)
K. by Cunanan is one of our favorites and the strongest contenders for number 1 caterer in Manila.
This year they blew the crowd with their unique Desserts and Signature Dishes!
Appetizer: Steak & Foie Onions, Crostini, Steak, Foie Gras
What made these appetizers stand out was their generous use of tender steak and pickled onions!
Main Dish: Butter Poached Prawn & Ravioli Mousse of Banana Heart, Prosecco Cream
The highlight of this dish was the uniquely Filipino Mousse of Banana Heart Raviolo.
***Best Signature Dish***: Sorpresa Goat’s Milk Cheese Cake, Sea Salt, Truffle, Sugar
Everything about this delectable dish is surprising! Who would have thought Truffle and Cotton Candy would be a match made in heaven?
***Best Dessert***: Raspberry Sorbetto in White Chocolate Soup Raspberry Sorbet, White Chocolate Sauce
K. by Cunanan really outdid themselves with their sweet creations this year! The sourness of the sorbet is mellowed out by the sweetness of the white chocolate.
Congratulations, K. by Cunanan, for earning 2nd place this year!
K. BY CUNANAN CATERING
Email: emailus@kbycunanancatering.com
Telephone: +632 710-6445 (Main), +632 711-0940 (Commissary)
Mobile: +63917 5327997
Facebook: k. by cunanan catering
Website: http://kbycunanancatering.com/
#3. Juan Carlo (Best Main Dish, Best Set Up, Best Service)
Every year, we always anticipate how Juan Carlo will step up their Set Design—and every year, we’re always in awe!
Appetizer: Money Bag with Pork, Shrimp & Leeks
This appetizer was a fancy play on the traditional Filipino Lumpia.
***Best Main Dish***: 4-Hour Braised Beef in Garlic Butter Sauce | Signature Dish: Spinach Ravioli w/ Wild Mushroom Sauce
While we found the gravy a little too sweet for our taste, but truly enjoyed the tenderness of the meat. The Spinach Ravioli, however, was on point!
Dessert: Oreo Ecstasy
The Chocolate notes were not too overpowering and allowed us to taste the other elements in the dessert.
***Best Set Up***
Juan Carlo’s set designs are downright magical. This year they were going for mystical fairytale themes.
*** Best Service***
The guys at Juan Carlo will never leave your table unattended.
Congratulations to the Juan Carlo caterers for landing 3rd best overall this year!
As a professional organization, it is important that clients and customers are aware that the people behind JUAN CARLO – The Caterer, Inc. are themselves professionals in the catering industry, providing excellent Catering services that guarantee satisfaction
Coming from a family of caterers from Cavite, the owner-manager Engr. Alex Michael U. Del Rosario and his wife, Teresita Macatangay Del Rosario, a Medical Technology by profession combined their unique talents and ambitions that led to the conceptualization and realization of a lifetime dream. They honed their skills in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by putting up a mini-restaurant in Al-Khodair campsite and doing small catering projects for Filipinos and foreigners as well. The exotic Arabian, Egyptian, Indian, Pakistani, Palestinian and Tunisian dishes became a part of their daily lives, contributing a lot to their knowledge of international cuisine.
August 1995, the Del Rosarios, fully equipped with the necessary information and capital, finally came home and settled for good in Batangas, signifying the birth of JUAN CARLO – THE CATERER, INC. Since then, it gained phenomenal success conquering the whole of Batangas even crossing borders to Tagaytay, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Quezon, Mindoro, Bulacan and Pampanga. Truly, Juan Carlo – The Caterer, Inc. continues to surpass its Catering in Manila by extending its reach to many other areas in the country.
Juan Carlo – The Caterer, Inc was the official caterer for Bong Revilla and Lani Mercado Centenial Wedding; Ogie Alcasid and Michelle Van Eimeren Wedding; Katherine de Castro and Eric Cruz Wedding and recently Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez’s Wedding last December 22, 2010 at Punta Fuego. They also catered for Kyla and Rich Alvarez’s Wedding last November 28, 2011 at NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio. And recently, Juan Carlo handled Miss Universe 1st Runner Up’s wedding Miss Miriam Quiambao and Mr. Ardy Roberto at Ville Sommet, Tagaytay City , 18th grand birthday celebration of the 2014 teen queen Kathryn Bernardo at Blue Leaf Filipinas and the newest teen heartthrob Daniel Padilla’s birthday celebration at his own residence. When it comes to Wedding Catering and other special events, Juan Carlo – The Caterer, Inc. is the perfect partner for that great toast!
Truly, it is the unquenchable love and passion for the catering profession that spelled the big difference for Juan Carlo – The Caterer, Inc.
JUAN CARLO THE CATERER
24B 11th Jamboree St. Tomas Morato Quezon, City
Telephone: +632 929 -3674, +632 416-5134, +632 413-7511
Email: info@juancarlothecaterer.com
Facebook: Juan Carlo The Caterer, Inc.
Twitter: @JuanCarloTC
Website: http://juancarlothecaterer.com/
Mesclun
This year, Mesclun went for a Japanese-inspired Sakura theme.
Signature Dish: Poké Maki
The Tuna Poké was hot, creamy, and savory—a must-try from Mesclun if you’re a fan of spicy food.
Main Dish: Wagyu Pot Roast
The beef is tender, but not too tender that it falls apart. We truly enjoyed the bite in the Wagyu Pot Roast.
Signature Drink: Strawberry Basil Highball
The freshly crushed basil gives the drink an extra summery feel.
MESCLUN EVENTS CATERING
Mesclun Bistro
G/F Serendra Piazza, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Telephone: +632 551 1626
Mesclun Events Catering
Telephone: +632 919 6216
Mesclun Restaurant & Café
2/F The Linden Suites, 37 San Miguel Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig
Telephone: +632 638-7878 loc 8207
Email: info@mesclun.ph
Website: www.mesclun.ph
Facebook: Mesclun Restaurant & Cafe
Twitter: @MesclunPh
Albergus
This year’s theme is Asian Fusion.
Signature Dish: Slow Roast U.S. Beef Belly “Filipino Style” Lechon Baka
This slow roast became one of our instant favorites for its tenderness, simplicity, and preparation.
Appetizer: Sesame Infused Tuna Tartare
These addictive, bite-sized goodies taste like a sesame-infuse Kinilaw na Tuna—highly recommended!
Signature Drink: Pandan & Lemongrass Juice
The use of common Asian flavors made this a unique, refreshing drink.
Albergus started almost four decades ago with the spirit of service, dedication, and sheer love for serving good food. The business was built on the principle of serving exquisite appetizers, savory and scrumptious entrees, and mouth-watering desserts, made from freshest ingredients and run through the highest standards, excellent and personalized service at a reasonable price. We value our 200 plus employees as the key to our competitive advantage.
Sales & Corporate Main Office
16 Capitol Hills Drive, Old Balara, Diliman, Quezon City 1109
Telephone: +632 931-FOOD (3663)
Email: reservations@alberguscatering.com
Hours: Mondays – Saturdays 8:00am to 6:00pm, Sundays 9:00am to 3:00pm
Website: http://alberguscatering.com/
Albergus (SMX) Sales Office – SMX Convention Center
Seashell Lane, Pasay City 1300
Telephone: (632) 556-4507
Email: smx@alberguscatering.com
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00am – 7:00pm, Sunday & Holidays CLOSED
Josiah’s Catering
We were impressed by how much Josiah improved their food and quality of service from last year.
Signature Dish: Grilled Salmon with Grapefruit Shoyu Glaze
The combination of citrus and soy sauce was surprisingly quite tasty. We loved how tender and juicy the salmon was.
The right amount of diligence, talent, and faith—that’s what the CEO of one of the country’s leading catering companies, Josiah’s Catering, will tell you when asked about the ingredients for the sustained success of their 20-year old business.
First catering for their friends in the 90s, the Versoza couple behind Josiah’s Catering landed the chance to cater to Nayong Filipino, and has since continuously provided their first-class services to an ever-growing list of clientele.
“When we first started this business, all we wanted was to earn enough to provide for our children,” shares Jet Versoza, CEO of Josiah’s Catering. “From our humble beginnings in our backyard, we are thankful that through word-of-mouth, our reputation and business grew into something we never thought it would become.”
Part of the Josiah’s Catering reputation was built on their uncanny knack for introducing innovations that would later become industry-wide ‘defaults’ such as the concept of ‘worry-free catering’ in packages that included all the necessary reception requirements in their package offerings, and being the first to use Hollywood-inspired chairs such as the famed ‘Sorrento Banquet Chair’ during events. Their long list of Philippine catering firsts include color motifs (1990s); special linen (2000); chocolate fountains (2005); lighted glass buffet tables and upgraded dessert stations (2006); hanging cocktail bars (2007); and dessert cabinets (2008). With this, it’s no wonder that Josiah’s Catering earned the title of being the wedding and banquet specialist in the Philippines.
JOSIAH’S CATERING
34 East Drive, Marikina Heights, Marikina CIty
Telephone: +632 475-2703
Website: http://www.josiahcatering.com/
Joanne T. Tumalad
Banquet Sales Consultant
Mobile: +63 917 562-6570
Telephone: +632 934-2163, 475-2703 x 109
Email: joanne.tumalad@josiahcatering.com
Sales and Marketing
Direct Lines: +632 941.7032 | +632 934.2163 | +632 934.5134 | +632 934.9252
Magic Jack: 1.408.9054802
Telefax: +632 934.6734
Showrooms
SMX Showroom
G/F SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City
Telephone Number: +632 556.5734
Matus Wedding Boutique
5/F Mega Atrium, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
Telephone Number: +632 706.5391
Mobile Number: +63 918.9021154 | +63 918.82MATUS (62887)
Hizon’s Catering
Hizon’s Catering is an off-premise caterer specializing in weddings, private parties, and corporate events. Established in 1987, we are now one of the top caterers in the Philippines.
Our guiding philosophy is to consistently provide clients with quality food at competitive prices and to provide a service that is efficient, friendly, and courteous. In our twenty-six years in the industry, it has been our policy to treat every client with utmost integrity and the highest degree of professionalism. This is why Hizon’s Catering today is considered a trusted name in the industry, catering regularly to celebrities and many of the country’s top corporations.
HIZON’S CATERING
22 Renowned Lane Sanville Project 6, Quezon City
Telephone: +632 925-0107, +632 925-0103
Email: info@hizonscatering.com
Facebook: Hizon’s Catering
Twitter: @HizonsCatering
Website: http://www.hizonscatering.com/
A big thank you to the participating families and organizations that made The Big Banquet 4 possible!
THE BLUE LEAF EVENTS PAVILION
100 Park Avenue, Mckinley Hill Village, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines
Telephone: +632 898 BLUE, 844 BLUE, 887-2175, 887-5687
Mobile: +63 917 868BLUE, or +63 917 838BLUE
E-mail: inquiries@theblueleaf.com.ph
Website: theblueleaf.com.ph
Related Blog Posts:
- DON’T MISS… THE BIG BANQUET 4: BIG EATS, HUGE TREATS ON APRIL 17, SUNDAY
- And the Top Caterer in Manila in 2015 is… BIZU! @TheBlueLeaf #TheBigBanquet3
- BIG BANQUET 3: Who will be the Best Caterer in Manila in 2015? @TheBlueLeaf
- Announcing… The Big Banquet 3 on July 5, 2015 Sunday! (Buy your Tickets Now!)
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Our Awesome Planet is a co-creator of Big Banquet 4. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights. Read Our Awesome Planet Complete Disclosure Policy here.
P.S. Watch out for The Big Banquet 5 at The Blue Leaf Filipinas in the first quarter of 2016!