MANILA, PHILIPPINES — For Filipinos, the word hapag does not just mean the physical dining table. More than just a place to share food, it connotes an experience that fills the gut and warms the heart: that of sharing a delicious meal with people you love, relishing the time together as you exchange stories, laughter, and at times even happy tears.
This is the inspiration behind Txoko Asador Restaurante Executive Chef Albert Mendoza’s special menu for “Gourmet Giving Series: A Fine Dining Thanksgiving Experience for the Hapag Movement,” which recently launched as part of the Globe-led movement’s holiday fundraiser for Filipino families who have little or none to share in their own hapag.
“What inspired us is the name of the movement, Hapag. Our idea is to have our customers dine like a family, reaching out and passing on certain dishes and enjoying a meal together,” said Chef Albert at the launch of the Gourmet Giving Series at The Globe Tower.
The special menu of the top-caliber modern Spanish restaurant in Makati is something to look forward to this month. It will include a 10-course tasting menu featuring the best of Basque and Castilian cuisine, with wine pairing to boot.
Multi-awarded Filipino-British Chef Josh Boutwood, meanwhile, said taking part in the Gourmet Giving series for the Hapag Movement is a way of giving back to the community as the industry continued to recover from the pandemic slump.
“Our industry was impacted during the pandemic. We also saw the stresses, heartaches of our team members during that time. As the economy is bouncing back, it’s the perfect time for us to collaborate with Fine Dining Club Philippines and Globe to do some good. We’re going to put a little bit of our hard work to this meaningful cause,” Chef Josh said.
Chef Albert’s Txoko Asador and Chef Josh’s Ember, Helm, and The Test Kitchen are among 12 top restaurants taking part in the Gourmet Giving Series, being held in partnership with the 23,300-strong Fine Dining Club Philippines Facebook community.
Gourmet Giving Series, explained Globe Digital and Social Strategy Head RG Orense, calls on foodies and fine dining enthusiasts to bring their passion offline to create real-world impact. “We are using the power of the social media community to help transform and uplift the lives of The Hapag Movement beneficiaries. We believe that engaging with Facebook’s Fine Dining Club Philippines is leveraging the platform’s passion for food to also make a purposeful difference.”
In time for Thanksgiving, the Gourmet Giving Series will hold special dinner events from November 20 to 30 in support of the Hapag Movement, a Globe-led initiative that delivers supplemental feeding and sustainable livelihood training for Filipino families experiencing involuntary hunger.
Txoco Asador’s special dinner for the Gourmet Giving series is scheduled on November 20 at PHP 5,500 per person. Those who would like to get a taste of their special Hapag Movement menu may make reservations via 09560473224.
The Gourmet Giving Series will begin for Boutwood on November 23 at the Test Kitchen, with a six-course tasting menu available at PHP 5,800 per person. Please call 09772885751 for reservations.
Ember will hold its special Gourmet Giving Series dinner on November 24, offering a six-course tasting menu for the first and only time at PHP 5,800 per head. Reservations may be made via 09164201600.
Finally, Chef Josh’s Helm will offer its special dinner on November 25, with an eight-course tasting menu available for PHP 6,900. For reservations, please call 09159098647.
“We are so grateful to have all the top chefs from Metro Manila to support the Hapag Movement. Gourmet Giving Series is about being able to gather people together, break bread, and spend time with family while giving back to those who have much less. We encourage all of you to get involved,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Communications Officer.
