Several years ago, Regee and I joined CHOW DC (Culinary Historians of Washington DC). It was an organization dedicated to studying the culinary history of food throughout the United States but with a particular focus on the food heritage of the DC area. There are sister organizations in a number of US cities, including New York, Chicago, San Francisco etc.
Alvin Reyes-Lim, Pia Lim and Regee at yesterday’s CHOP Meeting
Regee was so taken with the activities of CHOW DC that she asked permission to set up a sister organization in Manila. CHOW was very enthusiastic--especially after Regee’s colorful lecture (with lots of food!) about the culinary heritage of the Philippines--and gave their blessing to go ahead.
Regee established CHOP (Culinary Historians of the Philippines) in February 2011 with 6 friends and relatives (Regee’s mother, Nora Tolentino; sisters Ada Bernal and Gracita Tolentino Sieber; and friends Nina Colayco, Nanette Medina, and Carmen Perez). The group grew as they organized meetings and activities, and in 2014 CHOP was officially registered with the Securities Exchange Commission as a nonprofit organization. Regee was the Founding President, with Pia Lim as Vice-President, Alvin Reyes-Lim as Assistant Vice President and Nanette Medina as Treasurer.
Yesterday was CHOP's Annual Membership Meeting which was held at Pia’s magnificent house in Forbes Park, Makati. There are now over 60 full-time members.
In 2014, CHOP undertook three major food trips to Binondo (organized by Pia Lim and Ivan Man Dy), Coastal Cavite (Ige Ramos) and Bulacan Province (Rheeza Hernandez). Pia Lim, Alvin Reyes-Lim and others also arranged high-profile lectures on Coconut Oil and Filipino Food Anthropology by renowned doctors and academics. CHOP sponsored and arranged (Regee, Gracita, Amy Besa and many generous chefs) an amazing Fundraiser at the Swiss Residence for Victims of Typhoon Yolanda that raised over P350,000. To top it all, Regee, Pia and Alvin were invited to do a TV interview with Lisa Macuja which further put CHOP on the map.
In 2014, CHOP has gone from 0-60 mph in no time at all.
Regee established CHOP (Culinary Historians of the Philippines) in February 2011 with 6 friends and relatives (Regee’s mother, Nora Tolentino; sisters Ada Bernal and Gracita Tolentino Sieber; and friends Nina Colayco, Nanette Medina, and Carmen Perez). The group grew as they organized meetings and activities, and in 2014 CHOP was officially registered with the Securities Exchange Commission as a nonprofit organization. Regee was the Founding President, with Pia Lim as Vice-President, Alvin Reyes-Lim as Assistant Vice President and Nanette Medina as Treasurer.
Yesterday was CHOP's Annual Membership Meeting which was held at Pia’s magnificent house in Forbes Park, Makati. There are now over 60 full-time members.
In 2014, CHOP undertook three major food trips to Binondo (organized by Pia Lim and Ivan Man Dy), Coastal Cavite (Ige Ramos) and Bulacan Province (Rheeza Hernandez). Pia Lim, Alvin Reyes-Lim and others also arranged high-profile lectures on Coconut Oil and Filipino Food Anthropology by renowned doctors and academics. CHOP sponsored and arranged (Regee, Gracita, Amy Besa and many generous chefs) an amazing Fundraiser at the Swiss Residence for Victims of Typhoon Yolanda that raised over P350,000. To top it all, Regee, Pia and Alvin were invited to do a TV interview with Lisa Macuja which further put CHOP on the map.
In 2014, CHOP has gone from 0-60 mph in no time at all.
Ige (to right of Regee) is new Secretary; and Nanette (next to me) continues as Treasurer
At yesterday’s meeting, the members agreed to the appointment of Pia Lim as the new President, Alvin Reyes-Lim as Vice President, Nanette Medina continues as Treasurer and Ige Ramos is the new Secretary. Regee will become the first member of a new Board of Advisers.
A full quorum was assembled
An even more ambitious line-up of activities for 2015 was discussed yesterday, including next Saturday’s food trip to San Pablo, Laguna (also the brainwave of Pia Lim) where there will be an overnight stay for those who want to go shrimping at 5.30 am on Laguna de Bay. Regee and I will be shrimping but I have no idea how I am going to get her up at 4 am!!
Our new President, Pia and continuing Treasurer, Nanette
View of the full meeting
https://www.facebook.com/culinaryhistoriansofthephilippines
The meeting lasted for about two hours but then, as at any CHOP meeting, there had to be FOOD.
I counted over 18 separate dishes that various members had brought with them. These included Pia’s heavenly cupcakes, Ige’s delectably spicy South African mango achar and bibingka samala, inutak, puto, pavlova, lumpiang bangus that Gracita and I had found at Salcedo Market that morning, tinapa, kesong puti at paho lumpia, pancit malabon, cuapao, pork BBQ, etc., etc., etc.
This was supposed to be merienda but it was actually a full-scale feast. CHOP does nothing by halves! Here are just a few of the samplings.
Pavlova made by Gracita’s cook, Margie
Famous Reyes pork BBQ (from Alvin’s family restaurant)
Pancit Malabon (sorry, I don’t know who brought this)
Puto brought by Pia Ramos
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CONGRATULATIONS TO CHOP & ALL ITS MEMBERS!
2014 was a banner year.
2014 was a banner year.
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