Bake Happy Up and About: Chef Glenda at the Maya Kitchen

From what I know, Chef Glenda Barretto rarely makes public appearances nowadays so when you get to be invited to attend her Maya Kitchen Demo, you don't think about it twice. Definitely a no-no. Just get up and attend. That's what I did. 

And wow her demo was a delight! Aside from showing us how to make her version of our well loved Filipino dishes, she also regaled us with her interesting anecdotes which I tell you is a lot. Wait till you hear her story about sinaing-lada. Yes, sinaing as in cooked rice in salad form. It was really funny!

What I love about her is her creativity. Her twists on the most well loved Filipino dishes elevated our cuisine to greater heights. It makes me feel so good and so proud to be Pinoy. If only I have 1/16th of her creativity in the kitchen, I'd be happy.

Want to see what she made at the Maya Kitchen? Here it is. Banana Hearts Vinaigrette for starters. 

Now this is one my my favorites, Ensaladang Pako. I always order this when I go to Via Mare - really good!

Anyone who doesn't have a thing for Tinola might suddenly become a fan of this Filipino dish. To say this Tinola Flan is out-of-this-world-so-good-can-I-please-have-lots-more is an understatement. 

 Adobong baka, now see what I mean about presentation? I have never seen adobo presented like this. So pretty!

 And lastly, the dessert, pichi-pichi, a cassava delicacy with coco chantilly. Who knew you can make chantilly out of coconut? Hmmm... now it got me thinking, can you make whipped cream out of coconut?

 Here's Chef Glenda and her wonderful team after the demo. 

Thanks to Ms Tess Laurente for always inviting me!