Mother Lily gets Celebrity Chef Sau Del Rosario for Imperial Palace Suites. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Written and Photographed
By Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista
The Queen Mother of Phil cinema, Lily Monteverde celebrated her 73rd birthday at the Imperial Palace Suites last August 19, 2012. Since she has ruled Phil entertainment she has set her sights at conquering the culinary world as well. Mother Lily has recently tapped the expertise of Chef Sau Del Rosario, one of the most illustrious chefs in the country today. Chef Sau is also a host in the dating show: “Sarap to Heart” which can be seen daily on GMA News TV. He is also known as one of the chef endorsers of Bounty Fresh Chicken.
Caesar Salad Capangpangan Style by Chef Sau is made with local ingredients like salted egg, kesong puti. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
from left: Chef Jynette Monteverde, Mother Lily, Chef Sau Del Rosario and Sen. Lito Lapid. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Mother Liliy asked him to create a menu for her birthday celebration that is Filipino because the Imperial Palace Suites is 100% Filipino owned. Jynette Monteverde, (mother’s daughter in law from son Goldwin) volunteered her services in helping him create a truly memorable meal for the important occasion. Jyn is herself a Gold medalist chef from the Center for Asian Culinary Studies.
Prawn Gambas, Chorizo, Mushrooms and Olives by Chef Sau. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
From left: Sen Bong Revilla, Birthday celebrant Mother Lily and OPM President Ogie Alcasid. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
The biggest names in Phil showbiz and politics attended the party to celebrate with Mother Lily. A few of the people who attended were: YES and PEP Editor Jo Ann Maglipon, Ogie Alcasid, Lorna Tolentino , Sen. Bong Revilla, Sen. Lito Lapid, Solenn Heussaff, Lovi Poe, Ria Garcia, Benjamin Alves, TV5 VP for Entertainment Percy Intalan, Bwakaw director Jun Lana, Baron Geisler, MB columnist Cris Belen.
Solenn Heussaff enjoyed the food at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista.
For this prestigious guest list the food had to be exemplary. Del Rosario describes the cuisine as modern classic Filipino. If there were someone who could create and or define Nouveau Filipino food it would be him.
Mother Lily said, “If I were to be reincarnated I still want to marry my husband.” Beside her is ‘Father’ Remy Monteverde. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Kare kare by Chef Sau is crispy pata and veggies separated from the rich sauce made with Macadamia nuts. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
His version of Kare kare is nothing short of rebellious separating the sauce and emphasizes the combination of Crispy pata and vegetables. He upgrades the peanut sauce by using Macadamia nuts. Guests were raving about the Kare kare and how it may change their impression of the dish.
from right: TV5 VP of Entertainment Percy Intalan, Mother Lily and YES / PEP EIC Jo Ann Maglipon. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Tender Lengua with Corn and Mushrooms by Chef Sau. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
According to him the Lengua is very Kapangpangan. He is able to show his love for his home province which he believes has the best cuisine in the Philippines. Geographically because Pampanga is in central Luzon they have always had a lot of meat dishes. When the Spanish came the flavorful sauces is their influence on Pampanga cuisine. One of the classics is Lengua, Chef Sau’s version is extra meaty and hearty. To make the meat more substantial he used “U.S. Ox tongue because I just wanted to make sure it was very tender and very tasty. The champignon mushrooms give it a delicate flavor. This is a different take on the Ox tongue.”
from left: Guni-guni lead star Lovi Poe, Lorna Tolentino and Mother Lily. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Known for his healthy food and use of organic ingredients he creates ingenious twists on favorites. The Caesars Salad Capangpangan style has the usual vegetables but with queso de bola, itlog na maalat, tinapa and quesong puti.
from left: Guni-guni cast member Ria Garcia and Mother Lily. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Stuffed squash flower with kesong puti by Chef Sau. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
A rarely used ingredient is the Stuffed squash flower with kesong puti. The only other cuisine to use squash flower is the South of Italy, which uses ricotta cheese. The small corn-like shaped flower becomes a soft shell that encases the local and fresh cheese.
from right: Guni-guni cast member Benjamin Alves and Mother Lily. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Chicken Galantina by Chef Sau. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
He hints that there may be another major restaurant project that foodies should look out for in the near future. He is very confident because he shares the same thought process with his new partner, “Mother Lily is very passionate about food we have so many things to do in the hotel. She wants to lift the spirit of this hotel. The reputation is good but of course we want to be even better. So long term midterm I hope we work together because I am very excited about this project.”
Mother Lily with friends from the press. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Tinapa Mousse w Breads is Chef Sau’s example of local ingredients with a new twist. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Standing from left: MB columnist Crispina Belen, PDI writer Bayani San Diego seated from left: former FDCP Exec Dir Lali Suzara, CSB Prof. Digna H. Santiago, Central Digital Lab co founder Manet Dayrit and blogger Myta Santiago (galeriaderojo.tumblr.com). Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
from right: Jackfruit Sansrival, Chocolate Sapin-sapin and Lechemon by Chef Sau. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
That’s why they call her Mother she literally feeds Taal Vice Mayor Pong Mercado. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Mother in her Chef’s coat – watch out culinary world here I come! Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Assorted Cupcakes with Toblerone and other ingredients by Chef Sau. Photo was taken at the Imperial Palace Suites during Mother Lily’s birthday last August 19, 2012 by Jude Bautista.
Text and Photos by Jude Bautista