Food Taste Date # 2: Tasteful Tastings Year 2 (Part 1)

Just a day after our FTD1, Rye and I were already up for our next food taste date--an event hosted by BridalBook for the stylish bride and debutante. What's good about this event is that 10 caterers plus 2 cake suppliers will be featured. Supposedly, they will be bringing in their bestsellers. However, when we got there, we learned that Albergus and Bizu were not participating. But not to worry, there were still 8 caterers and a bite from each will surely be more than enough to fill our hungry tummies.

Our passport for food taste hopping

We arrived a few minutes before 11am and they were still setting up. Being early indeed has its perks as registration was a breeze (no queues yet!) and we had the liberty to choose where to dine first. What we forgot was to take photos of the table settings because I was too excited for the food. Rye managed to get a few shots to give you at least an idea of how the set ups were. Three hours later, and a heavy downpour of rain, we finally bid the event goodbye.

While I was able to visit all 8 participating caterers (yup, I'm such a glutton), I will just detail the first four we sampled. We were full by the time we got to the 5th stop that our tastebuds were no longer reliable. We just decided to share a plate to have a bite of what the other caterers had to showcase that day.

Fee: Free!
You just need to walk-in, even your companion can participate in the event. But the first 200 participants who pre-register online were given lootbags. Awww... No lootbag for me.

1st Stop: The Posh Caterer

Clockwise from top left: Fish Fillet, Grilled Chicken Teriyaki,
Roast Beef w/ Mushroom Sauce, Lasagna al Forno

Drinks served was fruit punch with apple slices but tasted of pomelo with a hint of apple juice. It was a bit too sweet for my liking. The color was a nice blush though. Appetizer was called crudites, which were sliced fresh veggies (cucumber, carrots, and turnip) in a bed of mayo. The presentation was cute but getting the veggies was a bit challenging due to the small opening of the shot glass. Dessert was just your usual mango crepe. Taste was nothing worth the extra calories.

Of the items on the plate, I only enjoyed the chicken and the lasagna. The fish (cream dory) didn't taste fresh at all. The beef, on the other hand, was tough. It was a task to slice a portion without a steak knife and chewing on it was another story. There was also nothing exceptional about its gravy. I would say it was a far cry from the roast beef we sampled from Purpledish the day before.

The Posh Caterer is actually a subsidiary of n.e. Catering. Their rates are higher due to the elegant themed wedding packages offered. Available themes are Modern Romance, Rustic, Vintage Chic, and Beach but these are upgradable depending on the couple's preference.

Packages:
Their rates start at P145,000 and are for the first 100 pax only. This includes basic styling, tiffany chairs, a 3-layered fondant cake, a bottle of wine, table numbers and menu cards, a pair of doves, program emcee, a photo booth for 2 hours, and basic sounds and lights. The highest package is at P206,000. Rates vary depending on the menu selection. You also need to add 12% EVAT, 10% service fee, and delivery charges for venues outside Metro Manila. For December affairs, prepare 20% service fee instead of just 10%.

Based on this, a couple getting married within Metro Manila will have to pay at least P176,000 for food, venue styling, and a few freebies thrown in. That is P1,760 per head! And that is their cheapest, most basic package. I won't go over their other terms and conditions that basically just adds up to your bill.

Rye's Thoughts
No way are we spending this amount for food that he didn't really enjoy. He didn't care about the freebies as we could get most of these at cheaper prices. Plus, we will definitely have to pay more as we are considering out-of-town venues.

My Thoughts
If we were willing to spend this much per head, we'd rather get Purpledish. Who knows who else we can afford given this budget. Food was nothing special, honestly. Their quotation says free assorted candy or dessert bar, but the most you get for the cheapest package is three kinds of dessert. There was also nothing impressive about the styling they showcased during the event.

Verdict:
Definitely off our list of potential caterers.

2nd Stop: The Old Bonifacio Catering

Clockwise from top left: Chicken wrapped in Bacon, Beef Kofta,
Baked Norwegian Salmon, Baby Back Ribs

Of all caterers, this one was Rye's favorite. Not mine, but I would have to agree that the dishes they served tasted better than most. The chicken seemed uniteresting until you take a bite. Good thing, Rye gave it a chance. It was simply made, maybe marinated then grilled but the taste was clean and had a distinct smoky flavor. I don't get what the bacon was for, though. It didn't contribute to the taste in any way. The beef kofta was okay, nothing I would rave about. What we loved really were the baked salmon and the ribs! The salmon didn't taste fishy at all but the meat was still moist. Love, love. We actually wanted to get second helpings. Their version is better than that of Purpledish. The ribs were tender and seasoned just the way Rye and I like, not too sweet, with the flavor of the meat still distinguishable.

They also served Penne in Tomato Garlic with Arugula (not in photos though). Rye had no interest in trying it and there was really nothing to miss. It was al dente pasta with a subtle taste of tomato and garlic. The arugula, I didn't find.

What we didn't like: Drinks served was your usual powdered iced tea. No desserts, too.

Packages:
These packages are net, meaning the taxes and service charges are already factored in. However, this applies to Metro Manila venues only.

100 pax - P85,400

150 pax - P128,100

Rates already include standard venue set up, a 3-layered fondant cake, wine for toasting, table numbers and menu cards, and complimentary food tasting for two. And just in case you're wondering, they use tiffany chairs. No added costs, yey! They have higher packages if you wish to serve a greater variety of dishes in your reception but the most you'll pay is P164,700 for 150 pax.

Rye's Thoughts
He regrets getting just a small portion of the ribs and salmon. He definitely wants to try dining in their resto, which is in Mandaluyong. But as our caterer, he simply shrugged his shoulders.

My Thoughts
At P854 per head, this is one of the more affordable caterers from among the participants. Honestly though, that is still too much for food and venue styling alone. I had no problems with the food but I didn't have that "this is it" feeling just yet. Let's see how a date with Rye in their resto will turn out.

Verdict:
For future consideration

3rd Stop: Josiah's Catering
Among the participants, this is the CATERER. Probably, almost everyone knows Josiah's Catering. And due to its brand, expectations were really high, at least from my end. So, here's what's on my plate:

Clockwise from top: Penne with Sundried Tomato Pesto, Slow Roasted US Beef,
Sugar-glazed Pork Shoulder, Stuffed Chicken, Pan-seared Cobbler w/ Mango Butter Sauce 

Presentation was unarguably from a high-end provider and you can tell the wait staff is really trained. As for the food, it was the chicken that stood out. It was stuffed with sundried tomatoes and cream cheese. The meat was tender and still juicy and the taste of sundried tomatoes went well with the cream cheese. Even without the sauce, the dish will still be a hit. The pasta was al dente but I totally forgot how it tasted. The fish would not have survived without the sauce, which in this case was mango butter. I was surprised to know that this two blends well. Might try making my own version of mango butter sauce at home. The pork was too sweet for a main course. Nakakaumay. I  could have enjoyed this more if we were served rice to balance the flavor. The roast beef in its au jus was tender. It was good that the portion I got was more meaty than fatty. Rye tried it with what seemed like mushroom gravy but found au jus more enjoyable.

What excited me about our stop at Josiah's were their sweet offerings! The array of desserts was a visual feast. I love displays like this. Makes eating dessert more fun! Soon, it was time to taste them and I must say Josiah's didn't disappoint. My tastebuds were having such a blast. Each had a distinct flavor of its own even when I ate them bite after bite. I also got to try their Peanut Butter Mousse (not in photo). Full of peanut butter goodness albeit too sweet for my liking. Serving was small which I think is just appropriate for a dessert that rich. Too bad though, their packages only allows you to choose two kinds. Well, you can always pay more for an extra dose of these sweet things.

Clockwise from top left: Peach & Mango Panna Cotta, Red Velvet Cake,
White Chocolate Cake, Mango Shortcake

Packages:
Their Luxe Wedding Package for a minimum of 150 pax start at P165,000, all in. So, no more worries about service fees and taxes. For venues outside Metro Manila, fee is P15,000 and up. This package already covers basic styling, banquet essentials, candles and table numbers, bottle of wine, and even personalized note cards for guests' messages to the couple. For seating, they use Sorrento banquet chairs with cushion.

Freebies are also given depending on your number of guests but may range from cakes, emcee, or even a bridal car. Josiah's also offer a broad range of themes, samples of which are on their website.

Rye's Thoughts:
He prefers Old Bonifacio's food and that Josiah's dishes were too fancy for his taste. But if the rates are within our budget, he wouldn't mind getting Josiah's. After all, he did enjoy the desserts and the Stuffed Chicken.

My Thoughts:
Having already established a reputation in the industry, I don't doubt Josiah's could deliver. However, getting them will mean P180,000 (ncluding the out-of-town fee) off our budget or P1,200 per head. On a lighter note though, I was actually expecting higher rates and was surprised to learn they charge even lower than other (lesser known) caterers.

Verdict:
We like Josiah's but the budget pie says otherwise.

Pretty long post, huh? I wanted to include so much details in their packages to make this useful and informative but that will mean a much longer post. Besides, you can always drop these caterers a note and they immediately reply. Up next will be Ibarra's, Queensland, and Ilustrado.