Culinaire is an annual SMX culinary event held as a thanksgiving to clients and as a signature showcase of SMX Convention Center’s 15 accredited caterers’ food and set up excellence. This year was a battle among the 15 caterers who competed for 7 awards last September 5, 2019.
Congratulations to the Top Caterers in Manila: Juan Carlo, The Creamery and Bizu Catering Studio for winning the prestigious awards at SMX Culinaire 2019!
First Things First
The Culinaire 2019 exclusive event is one of the signature events of SMX Convention Center where long-time and new clients gather in one venue to taste and savor the food creations of the 15 caterers.
This year’s theme was inspired by constellations, and each caterer was assigned a zodiac sign.
The passport showed the map of the universe and how to go from one constellation to another.
Top Caterers in Manila: Juan Carlo, The Creamery, Bizu Catering Studio
SMX Accredited Caterers: Conrad Manila, Albergus, Hizon’s Catering, Josiah’s Catering, Event Shaker Mobile Bar, LJC Catering Service, Manila Catering, Tjioe The Caterer, Via Mare, M Catering and Fine Foods, Kitchen City and Goldilocks
Congratulations to the awesome SMX Convention Center team for the best Culinaire event ever. 🙂
JUAN CARLO
Juan Carlo was all out to win the Culinaire event, bagging 4 prestigious awards, including People’s Choice.
Best Table Centerpiece – Juan Carlo The Caterer
Best Appetizer – Juan Carlo The Caterer (Scallop with Pastis Prado Wine)
Best Set-up – Juan Carlo The Caterer
People’s Choice – Juan Carlo The Caterer
Loved the human chandelier touch, which added an interactive element to the constellation dining experience.
The food was plated well, assembled on the spot and presented with a sweet smile.
Juan Carlo’s food did not only look great but tasted just as great too, with this scallop dish winning the Best Appetizer award.
APPETIZER: Scallop with Pastis Prado Wine
MAIN COURSE: Crown of Pork
DESSERT: Ferrero Rocher Strawberry Cream Filled Cake with Godiva White Chocolate
The food combination was superb, although the crown of pork could be improved.
Well-deserved recognition! Congratulations Juan Carlo, the Best Caterer at Culinaire 2019!
THE CREAMERY
The Creamery won the Critics’ Choice awards with their Star of the Night dish.
Star of the Night – The Creamery Catering (Grilled Miso Marinated Sea Bass on Soba Noodle Salad, Clams, Cream Sauce and Tapioca Pearl)
Best Dessert – The Creamery Catering (Champorado Brulee topped with Dilis and Pearl)
The Creamery’s Star of the Night food was served with the sound of waves and dalandan smoke to provide a multi-sensory dining experience for the critics.
The seabass was grilled just right, with smooth cream sauce on the clams and sago pearls. This was good on its own, even without the theatrical interactive elements. Galing!
The Star of the Night award, an out of this world dish created entirely for the event, was judged by Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet, Lechon Diva Dedet dela Fuente and JJ Yulo of Pinoy Eats World.
APPETIZER: Baked Mixed Seafood on an Edible Scallop Shell
MAIN COURSE: Pan-Seared Prawn Topped with Laing, Latik, Cashew Nuts and Shoestring Potatoes
DESSERT: Champorado Brulee Topped with Dilis and Pearl
I actually loved all the food at The Creamery, especially the seafood with edible shell, and the pan seared prawns.
The Champorado dessert, with a topping of dilis and edible pearl, won the hearts of the audience.
Congratulations to Michelle and The Culinaire team for winning Star of the Night and Best Dessert!
BIZU CATERING STUDIO
Bizu is always a hit in any catering event in Manila, winning the coveted Best Main Course at Culinaire this year.
Best Main Course – Bizu Catering Studio (Smoked Beef Brisket with Chipotle Adobo Sauce on Carrot Mashtini)
Loved the Taurus Centerpiece with crystals and star spikes to induce a space-theme mood.
Bizu always has the longest lines and their food never disappoints.
Loved their beef brisket smoked with adobo sauce and bed of carrots. A well-deserved win for the Best Main Course!
APPETIZER: Truffle Custard in Sesame Cone with Crab Salad and Black Caviar
MAIN COURSE: Smoked Beef Brisket with Chipotle Adobo Sauce on Carrot Mashtini
DESSERT: Galaxial Chocolate Moist Cake with Caramel, Creme Brulee, Ganache and Almond Praline in a Belgian Dark Chocolate Dome
Overall, the food at Bizu was the the best as always, and I would love to have them at my wedding or next celebration.
Congratulations Audrey and the Bizu Team for winning the Best Main Course!
Final Thoughts
Overall, I think this was the best Culinaire event ever! Loved the Constellation theme and how each caterer interpreted it. The Star of the Night Critics’ Choice Award was a nice addition and it would be awesome to present the winning dish during the awarding.
Congratulations again to the Top Caterers in Manila—Juan Carlo, The Creamery and Bizu Catering Studio!
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, Our Awesome Planet
Disclosure: Our Awesome Planet was one of the judges of Culinaire 2019’s Star of the Night portion. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions and insights.
P.S. Part of the program also highlighted the upcoming SMX properties:
• SMX Olongapo in to open Q4 of this year;
• SMX Clark, the 2nd stand-alone property, in Q3 2020;
• SMX Sta. Rosa in Q1 2021;
• SMX Iloilo in Q4 2021; and
• SMX Cebu, the 3rd stand-alone, in Q4 2022.