Cover (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)

The Holidays are all about fabulous feasts and exchanging presents, but they’re also about the art of sharing with those in need. That said, online delicatessen The Bow Tie Duck presents a novel way to experience the beauty of sharing in these unusual times

If there is anything many of us missed last Christmas, it was the sense of family and community that characterised the Season in years past. Social distancing measures meant to prevent the spread of the virus have, unfortunately, deprived us of the opportunity to be one with relatives and friends during the season of giving. It is something that has altered the way we give gifts and share the best of our blessings with others.

Read more: 5 Tips When Donating To Charities in the Philippines

For the team behind bespoke online deli The Bow Tie Duck, these altered circumstances gave them the opportunity to rethink the situation and come up with an innovative way by which their loyal patrons could still experience the beauty of sharing – not only with their nearest and dearest, but also with those in need.

 

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)

"Christmas in a Box" is The Bow Tie Duck’s unique line of gift bundles, giving people the opportunity to enjoy some of the world’s finest delicacies while bringing joy and comfort to the less fortunate among us.

"Food is never a selfish pleasure,” explains Julien Marie, The Bow Tie Duck’s co-founder and chief executive officer. “[It] is always about sharing, about being together, [even if] right now we can't be together."

 

Julien has made a career in social networks and e-commerce for most of his career, first in France and then in the Philippines. Training his palate since his earliest years, his love of food pushed him to co-found The Bow Tie Duck.

Raizza, on the other hand, who is the Chief Operations Officer and Co-founder of Bow Tie Duck has extensive experience in start-up technology and the service industry, having worked in Events Management & Public Relations, Account Management, and the promotion of both B2B and B2C services.

Raizza, as COO, is in charge of curating the best goods from around the world to fit the brand's premium and high-end portfolios, as well as streamlining the business process and promotions.

 

Bow Tie Duck’s Ultimate Christmas Box is a testament to the exceptional curation of premium products that are being done by the couple. This ultimate Christmas box is a culmination of the best Christmas items from around the world. A perfect box to gift a family or a group of loved ones. Not only is this a box for feasting, but also one for helping.

The Ultimate Christmas Box includes a bottle of champagne (Pol Roger Brut Reserve or similar), Tartuflanghe Trifulot Assorted Sweet Truffles - Italian Journey Edition, Casa Saporzi Christmas Olive Oil Cake, Casa Saporzi Yuletide Grasmere Gingerbread Cookies, Angelina Hot Chocolate bottle,Verrgini Pasta (Bucatini or similar),Italian Pasta Sauce (Casa Rinaldi Passata di Pomodoro or similar),Smoked Salmon (Barthouil or similar), Foie gras ready to eat (Castaing Whole Duck Foie Gras or similar), Sliced High-end Cheddar, Cinco Jotas 100% Iberico Loin (Lomo), Candied Fruits box (Marron Glaces or similar),Michel Cluizel Christmas Ornament with Chocolates, Michel Cluizel Jungle Cocoa Lollipops, Pandoro/Panettone 100g (Motta or Bauli),Christine Ferber Jam,BTD x The Yellowbell & Co. Foret de Noel Christmas Candle,Bow Tie Duck Christmas Postcard (Art by painter Nikka Reyes-Aligaen) and a Limited Edition Bow Tie Duck Canvas Tote Bag (Art by painter Nikka Reyes-Aligaen).

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A portion of the sales for each box sold will be used to purchase food ingredients for the Kawa Pilipinas, a non-profit organisation that aims to fight hunger one meal at a time through food drives within Metro Manila.

The program was officially launched at an event held last October 28, 2021 where Bow Tie Duck welcomed very special people supporting various noble causes and provided them with that unique opportunity to have a bundle curated under their name, the purchase of which would benefit advocacies that they have supported in the past and continue to support today. It was a heart-warming event that brought together great hearts, amazing food, and a warm spirit of giving shared by all.

These special guests were Yoly Crisanto of Globe Telecom; Attorney Nilo Divina of the Divina Law Firm, RestoPH’s Spanky Hizon Enriquez; Mica Tan of the MFT Group, Nina Inabel’s Nina Corpuz; Kai Farms’ Karla Delgado, Mercato Centrale's RJ and Vanessa Ledesma and Amor Maclang of Geiser Maclang Communications.

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Above (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)
Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)

Yoly Crisanto for Cribs Foundation

The Yoly Crisanto bundle features a seafood meal bundle with wonderful Black Tiger Prawns, premium Pomodorino, Italian pasta and a crusty classic French baguette. Accompanied with the premium French butter and a selection of pristine beverages: a riesling wine, a ceremonial grade Japanese green tea and Italian ground coffee. A portion of the sales of Yoly’s bundle will be for the benefit of CRIBS Foundation, an organisation that was born with the mission to provide care to infants that had been neglected, surrendered, and abandoned, as well as female minor survivors of sexual abuse.

Karla Delgado for Slow Food Sari Sari 

The Karla Delgado Bundle is a specially curated bundle that features all locally-produced products. Local honey, artisan bread from Toyo Panaderya, kombucha made with peach and Guimaras mango pulp, fresh goat cheese from Davao, local chocolates from Auro and Theo& Philo, an ARC spirits pack made with the archipelago's finest ingredients and floras, and organic Kasuy Vinegar from Kai Farms are among the items on offer. Slow Food Sari Sari, a global grassroots organisation dedicated to preserving local food cultures and traditions, will receive a portion of the proceeds from this bundle's sales. They work to ensure that everyone in the globe has access to "good, clean, and fair food.”

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Above (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)
Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)

Atty. Nilo Divina for Bahay Kanlungan Ni Maria

The Nilo Divina bundle, for the benefit of Bahay Kanlungan ni Maria, is a carefully curated package that exudes sophistication. It's a package that's best given or shared with people in positions of power and influence. This package includes an MBS6-7 Prime Australian Wagyu Ribeye steak, a Bordeaux red wine, a brut champagne (one of the world's top 1% wines), and H by Hine VSOP premium cognac (that is dubbed the official cognac brand that supplies Queen Elizabeth II). A hand-carved Jamon Iberico jam and a selection of high-quality coffee and tea are also included in the bundle. Bahay Kanlungan ni Maria, is a non-stock, non-profit organisation that cares for the destitute, neglected, homeless, and abandoned elderly.

Spanky Enriquez for Frontline Feeders

Spanky Enriquez and The Bow Tie Duck have created a package that exudes simplicity in the finest made food. A melt-in-your-mouth Roaring Forties Premium Lamb Tenderloin, a high-tier whole goose foie gras with real truffle, and a creamy Époisses cheese are among the items on the bundle. To tie everything together, a fruity Château des Tours Brouilly wine is added, followed by a simple Coffee-flavoured olive oil cake infused with Jamaican rum and vanilla. Spanky wants to make sure that Frontline Feeders will benefit from his bundle. The mission of this organisation is to ensure that overworked medical frontline workers who are dealing with an influx of patients are well cared for.

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Above (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)
Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)

RJ Ledesma for Virlanie Foundation

RJ Ledesma and The Bow Tie Duck created a sophisticated aperitif package that beautifully highlights Entier Goose Foie Gras from one of France's most prestigious foie gras producers. It's served with the world's best Langres cheese and a rustic multigrain Sourdough bread. Harmoniously paired with an aromatic Gewürztraminer grown in France's driest region, near the German border. A portion of the proceeds from the RJ Ledesma bundle will go to Virlanie, a 25-year-old organisation dedicated to empowering and protecting disadvantaged children in the Philippines. Virlanie develops long-term health, education, and policy programs to help end intergenerational poverty.

Vanessa Ledesma for Mercato SMES

Vanessa Ledesma partnered with The Bow Tie Duck to create a bundle for the benefit of Mercato SMES. The result is a package ideal set for a mid-day get-together with friends. France produces a lovely fairytale-like Rose wine that is among the top 4% of the world's wines. It's served with a selection of creamy Italian cheeses and cold cuts from Spain. The delicate flavor of the sea can be included by adding Sardinillas or baby sardines. For the final sweet treat, this bundle includes a delicious dessert duo of local Rose Buds tea and authentic French Chocolate mousse.

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Above (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)
Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)

Amor Maclang for the Autism Society of the Philippines

The Bow Tie Duck and Amor Maclang have put together a bundle that includes a variety of high-quality French cheeses, local honey for drizzling over cheeses, a variety of rustic breads, and a special Earl Grey-based olive oil cake. The set is ideal for a get-together with friends in the afternoon. With the proceeds from the sale of this bundle, Amor wishes to assist The Autism Society of the Philippines, a national, non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering people on the autism spectrum to reach their full potential.

Mica Tan for PGH Medical Foundation Inc.

The Mica Tan bundle, which benefits PGH Medical Foundation Inc., is a collection of items that you can bring in to impress your dinner guests. A premium whole duck foie gras infused with juniper berry and Juracon wine is added, along with wonderful live Maine lobsters. Alongside is a crowd-pleaser: the Vacherin Mont D'or, a baked French Christmas treat. All of this is complemented by an elegant bottle of Champagne Bouzy Grand Cru. PGH Medical Foundation, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organisation that seeks to aid the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) in its mission to provide the best care for its impoverished patients, who make up about 98% of their patient population

Tatler Asia
Above (Photo: The Bow Tie Duck)

Nina Corpuz for Bin-i Foundation

The Nina Corpuz bundle, which benefits Bin-i Foundation, is designed to be shared with your family and friends. It comes with everything you'll need to make a simple but flavourful appetiser, including Gran Reserva Manchego cheese and 18-month-cured prosciutto. Then there's the main course, which includes a classic 120-day grain-finished Australian Angus Striploin, the best French butter, and ingredients for a Bottarga pasta recipe. To complement everything, a Valpolicella Italian wine is brought in. Local chocolates from Theo & Philo and a ready-to-mix Pancake Set from Pinkie's Farm, which uses fresh buttermilk sourced from the farm, are two additional inclusions that can be enjoyed at any time of day. Bin-I is a foundation that seeks to preserve a heritage house in San Nicolas, built in the 1900s, as well as promoting local pottery— “damili,” and promoting local weaves and weavers.

 

It is hoped by the team at The Bow Tie Duck that their "Christmas in a Box" initiative will help spread goodwill and cheer during these exceptionally difficult times.


To know more about The Bow Tie Duck’s Christmas in a Box bundles, log on to www.bowtieduck.com.

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