3rd Food Tasting: Hizon's Catering Services

My cousin, who's gonna get married next year, is also planning her wedding. She is also looking for caterers that offers quality food with affordable prices. She registered me, her mom and younger brother in Hizon's grand food tasting that was held at La Castellana in Intramuros. 

I was singing while walking on the street and one crew from La Castellana said "Hi ate, singer ka pala eh" lol, thank you kuya Haha He was kind of surprise that I was attending the grand food tasting of Hizon's lol Wala lang, segway lang.

La Castellana

Entrance

The venue was easy to find and I must say that it's really lovely. It gives off a classic vintage feel that would fit a lot of wedding themes. However, it is kind of pricey compared to the venues that we were eyeing for. 

One of the AE's approached me and asked who's assigned with us, I told them that the one assigned to us is Ms. Irin Hurtado. So, she called her and assisted me. Ms. Irin came to assist me too, she led me to the table where I wanted to sit. I chose table number 20 since it was near the airconditioning unit and the blow of the wind wasn't that hard. In short, comfortable. Haha

Registration Area

Table 20

I was the first one to come so I waited for Kuya Ton, and Tita Liza. I went to the bathroom to freshen up because it was so hot outside. Haha

La Castellana's Restroom

I know! It's airconditioned! It feels so good inside that I don't want to come out. The Ms. that's maintaining the cleanliness of the restroom went inside and talked to me telling me things about how busy she is and that she didn't get enough sleep. It was funny because she's so friendly lol

La Castellana isn't airconditioned but you can put airconditioning units around the area to make everyone comfortable during the event proper. I don't know if it was provided by La Castellana themselves or they rented it out. I didn;t like the idea of that because (1) It will eat up spaces and create borders on the venue (2) It is so bulky and it's such an eyesore for me (3) It will add up on the electricity you're going to use, and if you reach the limit, you might need extra generators. Although, I haven't inquired about the electricity limit of the venue yet. Those are just my theories while observing the whole place.

Can be used for Cocktail Hours

When I went back, Ms. Irin Hurtado is already talking to Tita Liza and Kuya Ton. There were already appetizers served on our table and they were already given rate sheet. We talked about details of my cousin's wedding and the packages Hizon's is offering. Ofcourse, I asked necessary questions that Ate Jhoy wants to know. After talking and explaining the packages Ms. Irin said we can enjoy the food alread and told us to not forget the rate of each dish.

I forgot to take a picture of the sheet, but those are list of the foods served on the day. We are going to rate them 1-5 based on (1) the way it was served and; (2) taste. 1 being the lowest and 5 being the highest.

Okay, I think we don't have pictures of the appetizers since we wolfed it down already while talking to Ms. Irin. lol!

I think their appetizers are good. They were very tasty. I like their Smoked Tanigue with Mango Tarragon Salsa, and Tomato and Mozarella Bruschetta. The appetizers were already cold especially the bruschetta but I think it's really good if it's not served like that. Haha :) I forgot the names of the other appetizers. Haha! If only I have the picture, I'd remember it lol

Oh, we were told that the dishes that they serve during food tastings are their best-sellers. Ofcourse, Ms. Irin told us that there could be dishes that we won't love but others would love. I know that already though, and I kind of thinking about guests whenever I taste test.

Anyway, let's start!

 Beef Rice

This Beef Rice was da bomb! haha! I didn't get too many since I told you guys that I don't eat rice at food tastings but this one picked my interest.

Shiitake Mushroom Rice

I didn't get any of this... which I regret. I love mushrooms! Hahah! Oh well, I think I'll bring Steven sometime here to let him taste Hizon's food. You don't know, he might love it! Haha! :) Hi love! I wish you can come with me! ♥

This one is pretty good but uhm.. I'm not a fan of creamy sauces on main dishes. Except for Carbonara.. with bacon! and mushroom! and lots of spices! Hahaha!

I didn't get this too because I don't feel like eating any vegetables that time! Haha! Talk about being unhealthy, right? haha!

 Oh, this one is my favorite! It's sweet and real fatty! Hahaha! Ofcourse, it's belly hahah. seriously though, I'd come back for this but I have to taste the other foods. lol

 This was a good combination. I think I fell inlove with this dish but they have to put more mango salsa in it! Haha! 

Ahhh. I remember this one! This one is pretty good too but a little difficult to chew!

Ofcourse, we didn't skipped the carving station! The beef was good and the pork belly is really nice! I put gravy on both since I asked the carver what his personal favorite is and he said it's gravy, I then picked gravy. Haha!

Dessert Stations!

Did you see those bulky things behind? that's what I'm talking about, they're the airconditioning units. Haha!

Anyway, I was sad since we have to split up on the desserts.

For Display Purposes Only :(

We were served five kinds of desserts that we have to split. Haha! :3 The Red Velvet doesn't deserve a rave from me because the cupcake was a simple-tasting cupcake, nothing so special. And I think they used a mix of whipcream and creamcheese for the topping. The Buko Pandan, however, was delicious. I wasn't expecting that it would be on top of the best tasting dessert among the five that was served on us. The Creme Brulee isn't that good too (For me!), well my cousin and my aunt agreed on me too. Hehe. the Blueberry Cheesecake is pretty good, I think it would be my top two. The Sunken Island was a-okay for me.

Chocolate Fountain!

Okay, everyone knows I'm a sucker for chocolates! Even if Hizon's served us desserts that we have to split, they still have this chocolate fountain! I got two sticks of marshmallows and let the chocolate drip over my plate. Haha! Foodgasmic. I know. I felt like a kid while I was getting one haha!

I actually thought that we already tasted everything but we were wrong! because!!! because they still have the Hotpot Station and Crepe Station!!! Okay, I'll skip the hotpot since I don't like anything with too many water unless it's sinigang and bulalo lol. I think they're water with lots of flavoring. Hahah! Joke!!

Anyway, take a look at the closer shot

I don't know how that works but maybe you'll choose and they'll cook it for you.

Crepe Station!!!

Okay! Kuya Ton got us Tropical Fruits Crepe, Mango Crepe and Banana Crepe. I got the tropical fruits and put some chocolate dip on it. I actually don't like the chocolate they used so I used the chocolate from the chocolate fountain. Wow. That's a lot of chocolate in one sentence! lol

Crepe Sauces

I think we were finally done but I was wrong again... because!!

Yep! There was a Pasta Bar! I was all giddy trying this one that I acted so clumsy having some pastas fall off the table. Sorry po! Haha! I love both of the sauces! What's great is, I can put as much Parmesan Cheese as I want!!! lol

Wait! There's more!

For Display Purposes Only

 We weren't able to have a taste on this one

 I forgot the name of this one :)

Peach Mango Salad

I forgot about this one, this was served after the appetizers. And we were served soups after that. I love the Peach Mango Salad but there was a hint of bitterness in it. I don't know why but both the salad we tasted has a hint of bitterness in it. I forgot the name of the other salad and the other one wasn't served on us.

Their Pumpkin Soup was the best! I love how creamy and tasty it was. If only all the soups tastes as good as that, I would eat it. Haha! The other soup that was served was a little bit off for my taste and I also forgot the name! Haha! :) Sorry!

Let's go to their set-ups, shall we?

I'm not a fan of the colors they used, maybe because I'm more of a blush pastel bride. Hehe. But the set-up was really cool for the eyes. :)

Cocktail Tables

Basic Set-up

I think their basic set-up is too simple and you might need to uprgrade it if you wish for a more creative looking guest's tables.

I didn't ask Ms. Irin but I bet these tables have upgraded set-ups. It looks even more lovely. See?

By guessing, I think those are the VIP tables. :)

 VIP Tables with the Couples Area

The Couple's Area

All in all, I think Hizon's has proved to be of money's worth. From the table set-ups and the food. However, I particularly have certain standards on the set-up that I wanted for my wedding and I don't think the set-ups are customizable. They have theme boards that they show the couples and I think it's very limited. 

And as for my cousin, since she'll be having a lot of guests, and it would cost her an arm if she chooses Hizon's

2nd Food Tasting: Blu Plates

I attended my first bridal fair last April 5 and 6 at Mega Tradehall 1. It's exclusive of food tasting of Blu Plates Catering. Blu Plates is Chef Velmor's new catering services which is apparently cheaper than PurpleDish Catering. 

The set-up was lovely. It was done by Stylento. Check the pictures out! (sorry for the crappy pics)

 Basic Set-up

 Basic Set-up

Upgraded Set-up

Upgraded Set-up

Lovely right? Personally, I think their basic set-up was already beautiful na. Anyway, the watermarked pictures are from my phone and the others that weren't watermarked are from my cousin's iPod :)

 I don't know if this is one of their basic set-ups but I think it is. 

I forgot to ask if this is a basic or upgraded set-up. :)

 Sunflower!

 Sunflower!!

Sunflower!!!!!!

I am so inlove with sunflowers! I was all giddy staring at it and I really want to keep it na hahaha! It's my favorite kasi. It's so pretty. right?! right?!

Let's go to the food! :) I won't put captions na because the names were already at the picture ha? hehe

This one is a-okay for me. It wasn't that bad at all and I think that it's flavor is unique. I love the dory but I am not a fan of the sauce they used. But I think the taste of this one fits high-end people. :)

This one's a hit! It was kind of weird at first since they used Coca-Cola. I was hesitant to eat it but damn! This one is the best! Haha! It's kind of similar to this one local filipino dish I can't pinpoint since I don;t know the name myself. haha! The beef is very tender and the sauce is just orgasmic. Trust me. Never skip this one. Haha!

Okay! This one is creamy! But it kind of lack taste for me. It's a good kind though. I know people who doesn't love too much flavors on their food and I think they will love this dish! But for me, as a spice fanatic, I think this one lacks taste. Haha

To be honest, I was carefully eating this. I wanted to know whether it really lacks taste. It doesn't. It's just different. Again, I think other people will love and rave about this one.

I honestly can't remember how this goes. Maybe because I was too focused on the coca cola spare ribs and the baked macaroni. haha! :)

My first plate. Since I didn't have a picture of baked macaroni I will put my review here. It is one of my favorite. The pasta was done very well and there wasn't too much sauce. I love overflowing sauce on my pasta's and I usually don't like it when there's not much sauce on it. But this one is an exception. It was flavorful.

Oh. I skipped rice. I don't eat rice during food tastings since I am avoiding the feeling of being bloated after. Hehe 

I honestly think that Chef Velmor's dishes were unique. It may not be good for other people but trust me this one is good. If only Purpledish were'nt having bad reviews lately, they'd be on our top choice. Hehe Anyway, their dishes were really unique. Its the pang-masa type of food but it's something that would be loved by many. 

Cake Station

Cream Puff, Chocolate Cake and Pistachio Sansrival Cake

Cream Puff was nice and creamy, Chocolate cake is the best!It's moist and really yummy, the pistachio sansrival was a-okay. I know mom and my aunt will love this hahaha!

Overall, it was really good. I recommend it to bride-to-be's who seeks for an affordable yet unique food tastes. I now believe that chef velmor has the talent to balance flavors in every dish. :)