Michelin-star chef promises Manila an ‘unforgettable experience’

Solaire Resort Entertainment City is celebrating its 11th anniversary this month in a most delicious way: It’s bringing in three Michelin-star chefs from three different parts of the world to three Solaire restaurants, to serve some unforgettable meals from March 13 to March 17.

One of them is Cristina Bowerman, the famed Italian chef of Rome’s Glass Hostaria, known for its contemporary Italian cuisine. Bowerman, who made history as the only woman to be awarded a Michelin star in Italy in 2010, will be taking over Finestra, where she will be cooking her signature dishes.

“I said yes because it’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase my culinary skills to a new audience,” Bowerman told Lifestyle in an email interview. “Solaire is known for its luxurious dining experiences, and I am honored to have been invited to cook there. My cuisine shows my path in life, and in each dish there is always a piece belonging to a different culture I got in contact with.”

It’s going to be the chef’s first time in Manila. “I am incredibly excited to be heading to Manila soon. It’s a vibrant, bustling city with a rich culinary scene and I can’t wait to explore and experience everything it has to offer. I have never been to Manila, and every time I am just about to visit a new country or city, my curiosity explodes!”

Six-course dinner

The six-course dinner at Finestra will feature her modern take on vitello tonnato, risotto à la meunière, Italian gyoza, marbled Wagyu rib eye served with mulberry reduction, celery root terrine, hot garlic and oxtail foam. Dessert is popcorn, passion fruit and dulce de leche—a favorite at her Rome restaurant.

Bowerman said, “The dishes I have selected for the event are a reflection of my culinary style and philosophy. Each dish has been carefully chosen to showcase a different aspect of Italian cuisine, from the delicate flavors of handmade pasta to the bold, robust flavors of slow-cooked meats to all the influences I gathered through travels, studies and eating. I want to take guests on a journey through the diverse and rich flavors of my cuisine.”

Given her passion for food, flair for creativity and innovation, and her culinary journey—which has taken her from Puglia (where she was born) to Higher Grounds Coffee House in San Francisco (where she worked on weekends while she studied law) to Austin, Texas, (where she worked as a graphic designer) to Le Cordon Bleu (where she studied culinary) to Rome’s Michelin-star Il Convivio Troiani, and finally, Glass Hostaria, where she has been at the helm for 17 years—diners will be in for a real treat.

Local food scene

She said, “Even though we are always afraid to heighten expectations, I feel guests can expect a truly unforgettable dining experience at Finestra. I will be bringing my unique and innovative approach to Italian cuisine, using the finest ingredients to create dishes that are both delicious and visually stunning. It will be a feast and we hope to surprise guests,” she said.Bowerman looks forward to doing some eating of her own while in the country. “I am looking forward to immersing myself in the local food scene and experiencing the vibrant culture of the Philippines. I can’t wait to try authentic Filipino dishes (oh yes!), explore local markets and maybe even pick up a few cooking techniques from the talented chefs in Manila. It’s going to be an incredible culinary adventure.”

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Joining Bowerman at Solaire is Michelin-star chef Goh Fukuyama from Fukuoka’s La Maison de la Nature Goh, a French Japanese omakase gem that’s among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants. He will be taking over Yakumi and serving an eight-course dinner.

Meanwhile, at Red Lantern, Sichuan cuisine maestro Xu Fan, the Michelin-star chef behind Chengdu’s Xujia Cuisine, will also be serving an eight-course dinner.

Luis de Santos, the first and only master sommelier of Filipino descent, and sake samurai and sake master brewer Akihiro Igarashi are curating drinks to elevate everyone’s dining experience. You can also enjoy drinks by award-winning mixologist Max Solano. INQEmail restaurantevents @solaireresort.com; visit solaireresort.com.