Brunch Cooking Workshop with Chef Noel Dela Rama

Since my business is located near my residence, I really don't go out a lot. I'm a typical homebody person, who goes out to drive my children to school and my wife to events. I'd rather spend my Saturday and Sunday relaxing at home while reading books or building my Gundam and Lego collection.

This Saturday is special because I chose to attend Brunch Cooking Workshop with Chef Noel Dela Rama at The Maya Kitchen. I must say, it was so worth spending this day as I've learned three yummy dishes, namely, Chorizo Breakfast Casserole, Eggs Baked in Ham Cups and Banana Bread Coffee Cake with Streusel Topping, from a New York based chef, cater and instructor. 

"You don't have to be a pro to create a great brunch spread for your friends and family. 

Cooking may seem complicated, but it's really a matter of practice and finding dishes that you're comfortable with. 

In the end there's a certain joy that only cooking can give 

and it multiplies when you see a loved one enjoying a meal you've especially prepared for brunch"

If you wish to watch  the video, attaching here my wife's vlog from www.occasionsofjoy.com

To learn more about these recipes and more, visit www.themayakitchen.com

Learn about cooking and baking by emailing contactus@themayakitchen.com

or call 8921185, 8925011loc 208

The National Pizza Days Promo

California Pizza Kitchen (CPK), the undisputed authority in innovative & adventurous California style pizzas always served with a distinct California vibe, is celebrating National Pizza Days this August 13, 14, & 15, 2019 (Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday) now on its 8th year run!  

On these days, guests who visit any of CPK’s four (4) locations in Metro Manila can avail of their BUY 1, GET 1 Free Pizza Promotion: choosing among an exclusive selection of five NEW Premium pizzas that embody the spirit of California Cool & Creativity that the brand is synonymous for. 

For the 2019 edition of National Pizza Days, CPK is introducing five NEW artisanal pizzas you can choose from that will leave you California dreaming : Beef Chipotle Salsa Pizza, Garlic Chips + Basil Pizza, Thai Chicken Curry Pizza, Italian Sausage & Sundried Tomato Pizza, and their Quorn Alfredo Pizza.  As is the hallmark of all CPK Pizza creations, they will all be served with fresh, premium quality ingredients in season and hearth-baked on top of CPK’s proprietary recipe hand-tossed dough.    

You’ll have Michael Pena movies running through your head with their Mexican-inspired Beef Chipotle Salsa Pizza with beef, Mozzarella & Velveeta, lime crema, & chipotle salsa topped with a ranchito sauce, crispy blue corn tortilla strips, & fresh cilantro.  

Say “Buon Giorno!” with their Italian Sausage & Sun-Dried Tomato Pizza with crumbled Italian Sausage, Mozzarella & Parmesan, & Sun-Dried Tomatoes on a Bolognese Sauce bed topped with a fresh herb mixture.  

East will definitely meet West with their Asian-inspired Thai Chicken Curry Pizza with grilled chicken, Mozzarella, red onions, carrots, & bell peppers on a creamy Thai curry sauce base topped with roasted peanuts and fresh cilantro.  

Unique & fresh flavors collide with their Garlic Chips + Basil Pizza with garlic olive oil, fresh Mozzarella & Parmesan, caramelized onions, & red bell peppers topped with toasted garlic chips and a sweet basil chiffonade.  

And they will “Teach You How to Veggie” pretty much like Dougie did with their Quorn Alfredo Pizza with Quorn chunks, broccoli florets, tomatoes, Mozzarella & Romano on a creamy Alfredo Sauce bed.  

“CPK popularized California-style pizza and has been at the forefront of unique & innovative pizza creations highlighted by fresh & seasonal premium ingredients.  So much so that there are now 3 distinct styles of pizza making that occupy the Pizza hierarchy in the United States: New York Style Pizza, Chicago Style Pizza, and California Style pizza.  Just like the iconic Original BBQ Chicken Pizza CPK invented in 1985 that started it all, these NEW pizzas that will take centerstage for our National Pizza Days 2019 celebration are the perfect embodiment of California creativity & culinary innovation.” stated Bob Vallar, Marketing Manager of Pi Company, Inc., owners & proprietors of CPK Philippines which, incidentally, is the first International Franchise location for California Pizza Kitchen outside of the United States of America.  

“We would like to invite everyone to join us for this awesome 3-day pizza flavor explosion celebration.  We derive our greatest pleasure in surprising our guests with unique flavor combinations that may seem uncanny at first but actually work remarkably well as perfect synergies of flavor & texture.  Incidentally, our National Pizza Days 2019 will kick-off a series of milestones for CPK Philippines from NEW branch openings to a California Forward NEW Menu launch aligned with CPK U.S.A. so watch out for more surprises coming your way over the next several months.”     

For more information, visit www.cpk.com.ph, follow them on Facebook & Instagram and check out their You Tube channel @cpkphilippines, or visit any of their following branches: 2nd level Alabang Town Center; Ground Level W Global Center, BGC; Basement Level Century City Mall; and at the Mid-Level Shangri-La Plaza Mall East Wing.

About California Pizza Kitchen

In 1985, California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) opened its first restaurant in Beverly Hills and introduced diners to innovative California-style pizza. Since then, CPK has launched what has become a global brand known for creative California cuisine. Today, CPK is approaching 300 restaurants in 16 countries around the world. Dedicated to a unique dining experience, CPK is now introducing its Next Chapter featuring reimagined menus, open kitchens, and unique renovations in all restaurants across the country. For more information on California Pizza Kitchen, visit www.cpk.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What are National Pizza Days?  

National Pizza Days (NPD) is an annual CPK Philippines event wherein guests are treated to a buy 1, get 1 free pizza promotion.  It will be held on August 13, 14, & 15, 2019 (Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday) at all four (4) California Pizza Kitchen branches in Metro Manila.

2.  How does it work? 

On the designated National Pizza Days, guests can enjoy a free pizza for every order of a Regular Original Hand-Tossed or Crispy Thin Crust Pizza.  (Note:  Offer not valid with purchases of Personal sized Original Hand Tossed Pizzas.)  The free pizza can be chosen from the roster of NEW premium, limited edition pizzas created specifically for those days. This limited time promotion is valid for dine-in and take-out transactions only.  There will be a 10% packaging charge for take-out transactions.  Reservations and delivery will not be allowed for this promotion.  In addition, this promotion is not valid in conjunction with other existing promotions, discounts, gift certificates, and other special offers. 

3.  What are the five (5) free pizza choices? 

     The five (5) pizzas  you can choose from as your free pizza are as follows:  Beef Chipotle
      Salsa Pizza, Garlic Chips + Basil Pizza, Thai Chicken Curry Pizza, Italian Sausage & Sun Dried
      Tomato Pizza, and the Quorn Alfredo Pizza.

      Choose one for every order of a Regular Original Hand-Tossed or Crispy Thin Crust Pizza.  As
      such, if you order five (5) Regular Original Hand-Tossed or Crispy Thin Crust pizzas in one go,
      you can immediately get all the five (5) featured pizzas for free!

4. Can I purchase any of these five (5) NEW featured pizzas ala carte? 

These NEW pizzas are not available for regular purchases.  To try them, guests would have to purchase a Regular Original Hand-Tossed or Crispy Thin Crust Pizza from our existing menu.

 5.  What are the payment options for National Pizza Days 2019? 

Cash, credit card, & debit card payments will be honored in availing of this promotion.  However, gift certificate payments will not be accepted for those who wish to avail of the promotion.  Should you wish to use your GCs on these days though, you will not be entitled to a free pizza for your Regular Original Hand-Tossed or Crispy Thin Crust Pizza purchases. 

6.  Are there time restrictions for this promotion on your National Pizza Days 2019? 

    There are none.  The National Pizza Days Promotion is valid all day from opening to closing 
    in all our branches from August 13, 14, & 15, 2019.  Come early as cool surprises await early
    birds!

    Our official store hours on those inclusive dates are as follows:

    CPK Alabang Town Center   11:00 am to 9:00 pm
    CPK Century City Mall   11:00 am to 9:00 pm
    CPK Shangri-la EDSA Plaza   11:00 am to 9:00 pm
    CPK Bonifacio Global City   11:00 am to 12:00 am (midnight)
   
7. Can I purchase other items on those days aside from the pizzas? 

Yes, you may as the rest of our regular items are available at regular prices on all three (3) days.

8.   Where are your CPK Philippines branches located? 

 CPK Bonifacio Global City – W Global Center 30th corner 9th Avenue, BGC

 CPK Alabang Town Center – 2nd floor Alabang Town Center Mall, Muntinlupa City
 CPK Shangri-la EDSA Plaza – Midlevel Shangri-La EDSA Plaza East Wing, Mandaluyong City
 CPK Century City Mall – Basement 1 Century City Mall, Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City  

BPI's Biggest Flagship Branch

BPI opened its biggest flagship branch in Northern Metro Manila last week in Shangrila Upscale Mall as it marks its 168th anniversary with the presence of  BPI COO Ramon Jocson, BPI President and CEO Cezar Consing, Head of Sales and ServiceChannels An-an King and Division Head for Northern Metro Manila Branches Rally Jereza.

The new flagship branch follows the design of BPI’s other flagship branches in Ayala Insular and Makati Stock Exchange. BPI Shangri-la Shaw showcases the most modern and innovative designs that will complement the Bank’s aim to provide trusted financial advice, and seamless and convenient client experience. “This new flagship branch, like similar ones in Metro Manila, represents how technology and brick  and   mortar  can   be combined   to enhance   the customer   experience. 

"Today’s Filipino customer wants and deserves more, and a modern branch like this one is one way that we can respond,” said COO and Segment Head, BPI Enterprise Services. 

Shangri-la Plaza is a prime spot located in the heart of Mandaluyong and Ortigas, which is why it  was  chosen  as the location  of  Northern  Metro Manila’s  first  and biggest  flagship  branch. Mandaluyong and Ortigas are two of the biggest central business districts in the country. 

We are a universal bank with an expanded banking license. We provide diverse financial services that include deposits, cash management, asset management, securities brokerage, foreign exchange and capital markets investments, bancassurance, corporate lending, leasing, and investment banking. BPI has significant financial strength, with strong Tier 1 capital adequacy ratios and profitability, underpinned by a strong risk management regime. 

Enhanced customer experience BPI   Shangri-la   Shaw   houses   the   first   multi-purpose   Preferred   Center,   a   venue   for   client engagement activities with facilities that enhance experience and deliver convenience and value to clients.With  this  latest  branch  feature,  BPI  reinforces   its  commitment to enhance  overall  customerexperience, both online and offline by providing easy access to relevant financial solutions for every Filipino.

 “The two-floor multi-purpose  events  venue located  in  the branch’s Preferred  Center is whatmakes   BPI   Shangri-la   Shaw   unique   compared   to   the   other   flagship   branches,”   said   RallyJereza, Division Head for Northern Metro Manila Branches.

In line with its digitalization efforts, BPI also added an interactive self-service screen in the new branch. A large video wall also displays informational videos for clients. “Digitalization   is   about  enhancing   the   client   experience.   This   requires   that   we   make   the experience of our clients seamless as they move from physical branches to our digital channels, such as the mobile app and website. Our digital transformation journey allows for an omni-channel experience, with clients being able to start a transaction in one channel, and complete it in another,” explained Jereza. 

My wife, Joy of Occasions of Joy, and I brought our children to make them comfortable and feel the vibe of their soon-to-be bank.

ABOUT BPI:

The 168-year-old Bank of the Philippine Islands is the first bank in the Philippines and Southeast Asia. A Universal bank with an expanded banking license. Provides diverse financial services that include deposits, cash management, asset management,securities brokerage, foreign exchange and capital markets investments, bancassurance, corporate lending, leasing, and investment banking. BPI has significant financial strength, with strong Tier 1 capital adequacy ratios and profitability, underpinned by a strongrisk management regime. BPI is rated investment-grade by international credit ratings agencies. 

Bank of the Philippine Islands l Ayala North Exchange Tower 1, Ayala Avenue corner Salcedo St., Legaspi Village,Makati City1229PHl+632 246 6364l www.bpi.com.ph