Cover Sanj and Marc Licaros
Sanj and Marc Licaros
1 / 1
Some of our Tatler Friends are in relationships with stellar chefs and outstanding cooks–so we wanted to know what meals these aficionados have cooked up for their loved ones, that made the biggest impact over the years
Cooking for someone you love can be such a personal and intimate ritual. When preparing a meal for that special person, cooks strive to do their very best in the kitchen and make a dish filled with meaningful ingredients and nuances that they know (or hope) their partner will adore. With love, excitement and a great deal of thought, some of the best bites have nothing to do with how extravagant the food or recipe may be. Instead, it has everything to do with the intention, the memory, and well, that kilig factor. While it may be a stunning roast, a complex soup, or a simple scrambled egg, what matters is the emotions attached to the meal.
We wanted to know what food and dining experience stands out as the most memorable, best or romantic in the memories of these five Tatler Friends, who are in relationships with phenomenal cooks.
1. Teri Gonzalez, married to chef Chele Gonzalez
What is the best, favourite, or most memorable meal your partner has cooked for you and why?
I believe that every meal is memorable as it’s pure love and joy when he prepares a meal for me, every day, even after working long hours in the restaurant. Yes, I’m truly blessed to have a husband like Chele Gonzalez, someone who is hardworking and still has the energy to whip up simple and sumptuous meals such as Spanish tortillas y jamón or roasted lamb leg with vegetables when he gets home.
The most memorable to date I should say is a dish he prepared for New Year's on our recent trip to Spain: porcini parmentier, porcini beef jus, local tenderloin from a Tudanca cow from Cantabria region with pan-seared foie gras. It was just the perfect dish! A truly memorable one especially because it was my first time to spend the Christmas season in Spain, and Chele’s first as well after 11 years.
2. May Navarra, married to chef Jordy Navarra
1 / 1
What is the best, favourite, or most memorable meal your partner has cooked for you and why?
Jordy seldom cooks at home, but when he does, he usually makes simple comfort food. His go-to dishes are the easy ones like Silogs with whatever ulam we’re craving for at that moment— tapa, bacon, and nukos (buwad na pusit | dried squid). But the ultimate favourite thing he’s made for me is his homemade noodles with soy, fish roe, shrimps, and dried chilli. Super simple (I think?) but super yum. It always reminds me of our frequent travel to Hong Kong back in the day.
See also: Learn more About This Dynamic Pair and how They Have Made Toyo Eatery a Success
3. Alex Lichaytoo, married to chocolatier, Pia Lichaytoo
Above Photo: Instagram/Pia Lichaytoo
Photo: Instagram/Pia Lichaytoo
1 / 1
What is the best, favourite, or most memorable meal your partner has cooked for you and why?
My most memorable meal was when we first got married and Pia did not know how to cook at all ... she made me breakfast and was trying to fry eggs for me. After 30 mins of waiting, I peaked in the kitchen and saw her finish a whole tray of eggs because she could not fry them without breaking the yoke! I smiled and realised that she wanted to make me a perfect breakfast and was trying her best to make me happy. From then, I knew we would have a perfect home.
See also: Wine Expert and Luxury Food Retailer Alex Lichaytoo Says Quality Means Everything
Check this out too: Pia Lichaytoo-From not Being Able to Cook to Becoming a Chocolatier
4. Audrey Brandenberger, engaged to chef Raul Fores
1 / 1
What is the best, favourite, or most memorable meal your partner has cooked for you and why?
My favourite, most memorable meal Raul has ever made for me, was one of the first dishes he ever made for me. As someone who doesn’t cook, this dish sounded so complicated and had so many components. He made a fresh salad with oven-roasted enoki mushrooms, kalabasa purée cooked with local miso, dahon ng ampalaya pesto, malungay pesto, pickled shallots and alugbati tops, local turmeric, crispy mongo, kalabasa. It was with that dish that I realised he has an exceptional palette. He is able to put together different flavours and make something incredible, that all complement each other... Raul has made so many more incredible dishes but that was the moment I realised, wow he’s got talent.
See also: Foodie Finds with Raul Fores Co-Owner of Made Nice–Find out Where he Loves to Order From
5. Sanj V. Licaros, married to restaurateur Marc Licaros
1 / 1
What is the best, favourite, or most memorable meal your partner has cooked for you and why?
My husband is a chef so it is hard to choose one memorable meal, but my favourite would be our New Year’s Eve dinner to welcome 2021. Since it was just my husband Marc and me, our three girls and a nanny who was home then (due to the pandemic), we set up our traditional Harry Potter movie marathon in the living room. We started the evening with a cheese and cold cut platter, with champagne for me, and sparkling cider for the kids. Our main course was a steak board and we finished the evening with a chocolate fondue fountain. We dined slowly from 7pm till midnight, and all courses were served on our coffee table with candlelight.
NOW READ
Where to Order: These Are The Best Chocolate Cakes in the Philippines
Topics
About
Isabel loves to learn, and see things from different perspectives. Connecting with people and engaging in new experiences to broaden her horizons is what inspires this storyteller, keeping her constantly curious, and excited for what's to come. An absolute love for all things F&B ignited a hunger to devour content from this world and keeps her jumping into tasty adventures around the globe. From the beauty of simple bites, to nuanced fine dining tasting menus, street food, and the art of entertaining, the multi-faceted nature of the dining experience is something she can't get enough of. A good cup of coffee or a glass of wine paired with a dash of witty conversation is a quick way to win her over. This editor loves travelling, food, music, skincare, fitness, and is only friends with people who love dogs. Guilty pleasure?: Binge-watching TV shows and movies she has already seen.
Work
Concept creation is the name of the game and branding takes centre stage in Isabel's day-to-day schedule. From producing shoots, conceptualising bespoke projects for our partners, relationship management, to cooking up features and events for Tatler Dining, this editor is a tried and tested foodie at heart. She mainly writes content for Tatler Dining, engaging in captivating discussions with restaurateurs, chefs, producers, and food enthusiasts to tell must-know stories. Aside from that Isabel manages Tatler Dining's flagship events like Off Menu, or Cocktail Festival and puts together the Tatler Dining Guide, our annual listing of the best eats around town.
Follow her on Instagram @isabelvmf.
