Last December 2, 2025, LTB Philippines held its Annual Christmas Party at Seasonal Tastes in The Westin Manila Hotel. The evening brought members together for good food and fellowship, reminding everyone why the culinary community gathers: to share passion for the craft and celebrate the bonds formed through cooking.

Executive Chef Rej Casanova created a menu that balanced Filipino comfort with thoughtful technique. The evening began with Filipino Comfort Bites: sisig donuts, bistek tartare, Davao goat cheese and tomato tartlet, plant-based "isaw”, and an assorted cheese table.

The courses that followed each told their own story. "The Red Caroling" featured duck two ways with pistachio terrine and duck confit rillette in cherry gastrique glaze. "Aaron's Home for Christmas" brought handmade spaetzle with Alaminos longganisa ragu and smoked kesong puti, which was made by Demi Chef de Partie Aaron Joseph Gulinao who won the Barilla Pasta Championship Asia 2025 last November 11, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This was the biggest pasta competition in the region.

For the main event, "Naughty or Nice" offered poached seabass with plant-based kale X.O. cauliflower puree and clam emulsion, while "Christmas Roast" showcased Snake River Farms Wagyu Ribeye with Manchego potato mousseline and port wine jus. The meal ended with "Snowlight Muse”, a dark chocolate cake that provided the perfect finish.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors for this evening: Alternatives Food Corp., MIDA Food Distributor, Multi-M Food Corporation, Espa-Fil Import & Export Corporation, and Arla Foods Philippines for their continued support in making this event possible.

Our deepest appreciation goes to Chef Rej Casanova for hosting the event and demonstrating how simple ingredients can create something special when handled with care, as well to The Westin Manila for providing the venue that brought everyone together.

As the holiday season approaches, we would like to wish all our members and fellow chefs good food, good company, and time to rest, relax and recharge with your families, friends and loved-ones.

Happy Holidays, everyone!