Filipino chefs and students gathered in Manila today in a bid to break the Guiness World Record for ‘The most number of dishes on display in a single day’.
As the event held at the Araneta coliseum was sponsored by Kraft Eden cheese, the culinary experts were required to come up with 5,000 meals containing cheese to beat the previous record, set by India in 2007, of 4,668 dishes.
Cooks from local esteemed culinary institutions including Regina Carmeli, St. Paul College, Centro Escolar University, Emilio Aguinaldo College, La Consolacion College and Arellano University all tried their best to come up with innovative and tasty cheese treats.
Prior to the record attempt, Alex Tacdera, the category manager for cheese and spoonables at Kraft Food Philippines, said: ‘We believe that in this time of challenges, it is important to remember not what we have lost but what we still have as a nation.
‘We hold in our hands the innate Filipino creativity and love for food that when put together can empower our pride for our country.’
Guinness World Records confirmed they are waiting to receive evidence from the event before they will be able to confirm whether the group have broken the world record.
When the plan to attempt to break the record was announced last month, guests were treated to dishes including beef tenderloin baked in Eden cheese, roasted vegetables and cheese terrine served with tepenade, pineapple cheese sorbet with a lemongrass coulis and praline chocolates with a cheese filling.
Mr Tacdera explained: ‘As we officially kicked off this project from Kraft Eden, we commissioned a chef from Manila Hotel to create a full-course meal that featured cheese from appetisers, to main course, to desserts.’
Kraft Eden are also organising the first ‘Keso de Gallo’, which will see people attempt to use the cheese to create a feast for families who have been affected by the recent Ondoy and Pepeng typhoons and may not have the resources to celebrate this Christmas.
“This year we are animating the world’s tallest living Christmas tree,” said Jerry Jaeger, president and co-owner of Hagadone Hospitality. “We will have thousands of lights all twinkling in time to the music of Jingle Bells.”
The tree will have more than 40,000 lights along with a 10-foot star at the top. Two miles of electrical wiring connect the LED lights, which use 90 percent less energy than conventional light bulbs. The 162-foot Grand Fir is more than twice as tall as New York’s Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
“The Holiday Light Show is all about entertaining the family – and kids in particular,” said Bill Reagan, general manager of The Coeur d’Alene Resort. “Watching the lights dance around the tree will be very exciting this year.”
Other new additions include several new lighted animal characters at The North Pole, which already includes Santa’s workshop, dancing elves, a village scene and reindeer, as well as the popular “Twelve Days of Christmas” sing-along display. Founded in 1986, the Holiday Light Show now includes more than 250 displays and 1.5 million lights, and has become a favorite Northwest holiday destination.
This year, Frosty the Snowman debuts as the official greeter for every nightly Journey to the North Pole cruise, confirmed Craig Brosenne, general manager of Hagadone Marine Group, which manages the Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises fleet.
This year’s show will be greatly enhanced by the presence of Frosty the Snowman, who will greet every kid climbing on board,” Brosenne said. Other new live characters this year will be The Grinch, several elves and a reindeer.
Every child under the age of 12 rides for free on the Journey to the North Pole Cruise, where children are also treated to a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. The live characters call out the children’s names and lead cruise passengers in a countdown to light up the giant Christmas tree. Passengers are also treated to “magic snow” which falls on cue for each cruise regardless of time or temperature.
The show will be illuminated during the Coeur d’Alene Holiday Light Show Opening Ceremony on Nov. 27, starting at 5:30 p.m., which includes a lighted parade, Christmas carols, candle lighting and a gigantic fireworks show over Lake Coeur d’Alene.
Journey to the North Pole Cruises depart nightly to view the Holiday Light Show displays from Nov. 28-Jan. 1. The 40-minute cruises leave the dock at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., with boarding at The Boardwalk Marina 15 minutes prior to the cruise. Children 12 and under cruise for free, while adult tickets cost $15.75 and seniors (55+) are $14.75.<.p>
For 2009, The Coeur d’Alene Resort welcomes visitors with a Family Holiday Package that includes:
- Two nights (minimum stay) in a choice of luxury accommodations in The Resort’s lakeside tower
- Two adult cruise tickets to the “North Pole” holiday lights exhibit (Kids 12 and younger cruise for free)
- Breakfast for two in the Dockside Restaurant
All Family Packages start at $179 and are available through Jan. 1, 2010.
A special Thanksgiving Package (for those arriving Thursday, Nov. 26) includes the Thanksgiving Dinner Buffet for two in Dockside restaurant, or (for those arriving Friday, Nov. 27) Sunday Brunch for two in Dockside.
Holiday dining packages from Nov. 28 – Jan. 1 include a buy one, get one free Journey to the North Pole Cruise with purchase of a meal at Beverly’s, The Cedar’s Floating Restaurant, Tito Macaroni’s, Dockside, Bonsai Bistro, Beachouse or Mulligan’s.
Filipino chefs and students gathered in Manila today in a bid to break the Guiness World Record for ‘The most number of dishes on display in a single day’.
‘We hold in our hands the innate Filipino creativity and love for food that when put together can empower our pride for our country.’
