Good France (Goût de France) is a gastronomic festival celebrating the inclusion of the “Gastronomic Meal of the French” in the UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
First launched by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and renowned chef Alain Ducasse in 2015, the festival is now on its 5th edition.
Twenty-six chefs in the Philippines join 5,000 other chefs from all over the globe to celebrate the Biggest French Dinner in the World happening simultaneously on March 21, 2019 (Thursday).
Here’s our guide to the national Goût de France festival in Manila to help you choose the right restaurant come March 21.
Goût de France Philippines
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyManila
Twitter: @FrenchEmbassyPH
Instagram: @FrenchEmbassyPH
For more info, visit http://restaurateurs.goodfrance.com/
Hashtags: #GoûtdeFrancePH #GoodFrancePH
The Goût de France/Good France was launched last March 13 at the Champagne Room in Manila Hotel with 16 of the 26 participating chefs or restaurants serving a 20-course French Degustation menu.
Here are our personal favorites at the Goût de France Manila taste test:
Overall Winner: Champagne Room @ Manila Hotel
Host Champagne Room was, in hush hush conversations, said to have presented the best French dish of the night. (I guess they had a home-court advantage.)
Pan Seared Scallops on White Asparagus with Foie Gras Sauce
The scallops were pan seared, topped with roe, served with white asparagus spears and finished with a creamy foie gras sauce you’ll surely lick off the plate.
Congratulations to the Champange Room team for a job well done hosting the launch of the Biggest French Dinner in Manila.
Outstanding Chefs of the Night:
1. Chef Jessie Sincioco (Chef Jessie Rockwell Club)
The iconic Chef Jessie, known for her French cuisine in Manila, gave her full support to the event.
Brandade de Morue au Gratin & Clear Essence of Wild Gam with Dumpling by Chef Jessie, Rockwell Club
She kicked off the dinner with canapes and soup to excite the appetite.
Related Blog Posts:
• MenhirSalento Wines: Chef Jessie Sincioco x Chef Musaro Rocco Roberto Dinner
• Chef Jeff Claudio’s Pop-up Special Menu at Chef Jessie’s Rockwell Club (A Photo Essay)
2. Chef Martin Kaspar (L’Entrecôte Manila)
It was awesome to see Chef Martin Kaspar of the famed L’Entrecôte Manila that survived the test of time—more than 8 years in Burgos Circle in BGC.
Salmon Carpaccio with Oysters, Chives, Walnut Oil Vinaigrette, with Smoked Salmon Match Stick by L’Entrecôte Manila
Can’t wait to go back and try L’entrecote again after all these years.
Related Blog Post: L’Entrecote, Manila: Steak and Fries Every Time You Visit?
3. Chef Gene Gonzalez (Café Ysabel)
Tarte Tatin with mulled red wine ice cream and sauce beurre noisette by Café Ysabel
Chef Gene served the best French dessert of the night. Can’t wait to dine at Cafe Ysabel again.
4. Chef Menoy Gimenez (Tito Chef)
We met Chef Menoy Gimenez for the first time, and now we know why a lot of people rave about Tito Chef restaurant in Tahanan Village.
Taste of Provence by Tito Chef
We were impressed with the Caramelized Onion with Blue Cheese, Salmon Tartar and the cold Aubergine Soup right in time for summer.
5. Chef Vicky Rose Pacheco (Chateau 1771)
The famed Chef Vicky of Chateau fame happily served during the event.
5-Hour Duck by Chateau 1771
Raring to check out the new Chateau 1771 in One Bonifacio.
Related Blog Post: The Rebirth of Chateau 1771 @ Greenbelt 5
Our Favorites:
1. Chef Trish Panlilio (Mulberry Door)
Coq au vin by Mulberry Door
Loved the Coq au vin sauce and the Salad Nicoise of Chef Trish Panlilio.
2. Chef Julien Cosse (Spiral Manila)
Smoked salmon dome with asparagus mousseline and poached egg by Spiral Manila
It was like a smoke salmon surprise. They also had an extensive menu for the Good France Dinner.
3. Chef John Louie Gonzaga (Milagritos)
Scallops Saint Jacques by Milagritos
A taste of this scallop made us curious about Milagritos.
4. Chef Clement Damotte (La Mère Poulard Manila)
Beef Cheek Confit with Gratin Douphinois and red wine sauce by La Mere Poulard Manila
Most of the items they served were quite good, including this beef cheek and breaded camembert.
5. Chef Jacq Tan (Apero and Duck & Buvette)
This Duck and Cab Sauv combination was our favorite meat dish and wine pairing of the night.
Cadet d’Oc. Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Pays d’Oc, France (vivino rating 3.4)
Our favorite French Chefs & Restaurants in Manila
We would also recommend the following French Chefs and French Restaurants for your consideration for the Goût de France dinner.
1. Chef Marc Aubry (Sagana)
Related Blog Post: SAGANA Epicerie & Bistro: Sustainable French Food by Chef Marc Aubry in Manila
2. Mireio
Related Blog Post: MIREIO: Provençal-Inspired Upscale French Brasserie in Manila!
3. Chef Ariel Manuel (Bistro Manuel)
Related Blog Post: BISTRO MANUEL by Chef Ariel & Mia Manuel: Lolo Dad’s for the Millennial Generation!
4. Chef Robert Lilja (Makati Garden Club)
Related Blog Post: Makati Garden Club’s Secret French Garden Cafe
Final Thoughts
Congratulations to the Goût de France Manila team for organizing the Biggest French Dinner nationwide event in the Philippines!
À votre santé!
For more info on participating restaurants, pls visit http://restaurateurs.goodfrance.com/en/participating-restaurants
Goût de France Philippines
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FrenchEmbassyManila
Twitter: @FrenchEmbassyPH
Instagram: @FrenchEmbassyPH
For more info, visit http://restaurateurs.goodfrance.com/
Hashtags: #GoûtdeFrancePH #GoodFrancePH
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: We were media guests of Goût de France Manila. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions and insights.
P.S. Goût de France is a nationwide initiative with the following participating restaurants outside Manila:
Baguio City: Chef Didier Derouet of Cafe Adrina by Hill Station
Malaybalay City: Chef David Olyver Virrey of Eiffel Kubo
Tagaytay City: Chef Jonathan Bouthiaux of Anya Resort Tagaytay’s Samira
Cebu City: Chef Richard Amado of La Vie Parisienne and La Vie in the Sky