The Best Desserts in Town — Under One Roof!

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IT was like a wonderland of desserts and everything sweet and delicious at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, yesterday (January 30, 2014), when Philippine Daily Inquirer launched Inquirer Lifestyle’s Best Desserts book.

Mariano Garchitorena of The Peninsula Manila receives a certificate from Inquirer lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson-San Juan, publisher Sandy Prieto-Romualdez and Best Desserts author Vangie Baga-Reyes

Mariano Garchitorena of The Peninsula Manila receives a certificate from Inquirer lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson-San Juan, publisher Sandy Prieto-Romualdez and Best Desserts author Vangie Baga-Reyes

Some of the best dessert 'awardees' with Inquirer's Sandy Prieto-Romualdez (extreme left),SM's Millie Dizon, Inquirer's Thelma San Juan and Vangie Baga-Reyes, and event host Tessa Prieto-Valdes

Some of the best dessert ‘awardees’ with Inquirer’s Sandy Prieto-Romualdez (extreme left),SM’s Millie Dizon, Inquirer’s Thelma San Juan and Vangie Baga-Reyes, and event host Tessa Prieto-Valdes

Undeniably the most-read ultimate list every year, Inquirer’s Best Desserts book show how the Philippines seems to have transformed into a desserts nation overnight. The newspaper’s Best Desserts list began in 2008 when lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson-San Juan, often deluged by inquiries from readers and friends on what sweets or desserts to buy and where, decided to assign senior food writer Vangie Baga-Reyes to make a Best Desserts list. Reyes obliged and, together with the entire lifestyle team, sourced out the best desserts in town, as prepared by not just established hotels, restaurants and bakeshops but also by home bakers.

King Oscar Cake (The Peninsula Boutique)

King Oscar Cake (The Peninsula Boutique)

Torta de los Reyes (The Aristocrat Bakeshop)

Torta de los Reyes (The Aristocrat Bakeshop)

Lemon Torte (Desserterie by Heny Sison)

Lemon Torte (Desserterie by Heny Sison)

Mango Torte (Paz Reyes-Cuerva Bakeshop)

Mango Torte (Paz Reyes-Cuerva Bakeshop -Tony Cuerva)

Rustic Apple Pie (Angel's Kitchen)

Rustic Apple Pie (Angel’s Kitchen)

Frozen Gourmet Mango Torte (Dulcelin Gourmet Specialties)

Frozen Gourmet Mango Torte (Dulcelin Gourmet Specialties)

Prune Walnut Cake (Butterbelle Bakeshop)

Prune Walnut Cake (Butterbelle Bakeshop by Tani Bautista)

Caramel Cake (Estrel's Bakeshop)

Caramel Cake (Estrel’s Bakeshop by Gina, Joy and Mia Navarro)

When it came out, the list turned out to be not just well-read but also helped the careers of many talented bakers or push their home-based startup businesses to full gear. From then on, Inquirer made it a point to release a Best Desserts list annually. This year is the first time that Inquirer transformed its Best Desserts list into a book.

Published by Philippine Daily Inquirer, Best Desserts, the book, names close to a hundred best desserts in town today, complete with information on who created them, where they can be bought and what numbers to call to order.

Molten Valrhona Chocolate Souffle Cake (Bizu Patisserie)

Molten Valrhona Chocolate Souffle Cake (Bizu Patisserie)

NY Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake (Chelsea Market & Cafe)

NY Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cheesecake (Chelsea Market & Cafe)

Flourless Chocolate Cake (Sinfully Circles by Makati Shangri-La Hotel)

Flourless Chocolate Cake (Sinfully Circles by Makati Shangri-La Hotel)

Richmonde Chocolate Cake (The Richmonde Hotels & Resorts)

Richmonde Chocolate Cake (The Richmonde Hotels & Resorts)

Belgian Chocolates (Chocolate Confections by Maribeth Bailon-Santiago)

Belgian Chocolates (Chocolate Confections by Maribeth Bailon-Santiago)

Gladys Chocolate Cake (Springbake by Gladys Mallillin)

Gladys Chocolate Cake (Springbake by Gladys Mallillin)

These desserts are divided into 12 categories: Crispy, Buttery, Deadly (all types of meringues and tortes, from the classic to the exotic); Loaded with Fruits (A is for apple, B is for banana – from pies to cakes); Sweet Caramel (from the creamy, melt-in-your-mouth frosting to the crunchy honeycomb that crumbles in the mouth), Chocolate Overload (chocolate, chocolate, chocolate – in every shape, form and flavor); Coffee Comfort (anything with that added shot); Veggies in My Dessert (carrots that are irresistible – yet still healthy); Over the Top (unusual desserts with that ‘wow’ factor in terms of look, taste and feel); Straight from the Freezer (cold and sweet delights perfect for midnight snacks or instant cravings); Close to Home (desserts with a twist, incorporating local flavors); Cheesecakes Made in Heaven (baked and no-bake versions in every flavor imaginable); Small Is Beautiful (single-serve and little desserts to satisfy sweet cravings); and Soaked (extra-moist, luscious desserts that are hard to forget).

Super Moist Carrot Cake (Joconde Cakes & Pastries by Dennis and Yvette Hipolito)

Super Moist Carrot Cake (Joconde Cakes & Pastries by Dennis and Yvette Hipolito)

Ispahan (The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel Philippines)

Ispahan (The Cake Club by Diamond Hotel Philippines)

Strawberry Charlotte (Sweet Bella by Cristina Santiago-Rivera)

Strawberry Charlotte (Sweet Bella by Cristina Santiago-Rivera)

Rouge (Cara Mia by Amici - Tessie Moran and Philip Moran)

Rouge (Cara Mia by Amici – Tessie Moran and Philip Moran)

Gianduja Amara (Cru Steakhouse, Marriott Hotel Manila)

Gianduja Amara (Cru Steakhouse, Marriott Hotel Manila)

Mucha Leche (The Aristocrat Bakeshop)

Mucha Leche (The Aristocrat Bakeshop)

Cassava Cake (Cafe Juanita by Dr. Boy Vazquez)

Cassava Cake (Cafe Juanita by Dr. Boy Vazquez)

Super Suman (Dedet de la Fuente)

Super Suman (Dedet de la Fuente)

Purple High (Dorothy Ferreria of Dorothy's Cooking School)

Purple High (Dorothy Ferreria of Dorothy’s Cooking School)

Pichi-Pichi with Quezo de Bola (Chef Tatung Restaurant by Michael Giovan Sarthou)

Pichi-Pichi with Quezo de Bola (Chef Tatung Restaurant by Michael Giovan Sarthou)

Halo-Halo Cake (UCC Coffee)

Halo-Halo Cake (UCC Coffee)

Sapin-Sapin Creme Brulee (Kuse Traditional Filipino Cuisine by Chef Mauro Arjona Jr.)

Sapin-Sapin Creme Brulee (Kuse Traditional Filipino Cuisine by Chef Mauro Arjona Jr.)

Angelina Red Velvet Cheesecake (The Sweet Life by Ange - Ange dela Cruz)

Angelina Red Velvet Cheesecake (The Sweet Life by Ange – Ange dela Cruz)

Orange Cheesecake (The Vegetarian Kitchen by Tita Soliongco)

Orange Cheesecake (The Vegetarian Kitchen by Tita Soliongco)

Joyce's Butter Rum Cake (Joyce Isaac Aragon)

Joyce’s Butter Rum Cake (Joyce Isaac Aragon)

A lot of these hotels, restaurants, bakeshops and home bakers who were featured in the list put up booths during the book launch yesterday to give guests a sampling of their award-winning desserts. It was one huge sugar overload – from cakes and pies to gelato and homemade ice cream, chocolate pralines, halo-halo and pastries.

National Bookstore also had a booth selling copies of Best Desserts, and on hand to sign the copies were author Vangie Baga-Reyes, Inquirer lifestyle editor Thelma Sioson-San Juan, publisher Sandy Prieto-Romualdez, as well as the creators of the desserts touted to be the best in town today.

The book is available at National Bookstore for Php320 per copy.

Category(s): FoodBiz
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