DCF Valentine Giveaway!
posted by Lori in Miscellaneous
Sharing the love this Valentine’s Day with seven fellow dessert lovers.
I have a 3-ring bound leather folder that’s crammed – and I do mean, crammed – with flyers, brochures, pamphlets, and all assorted miscellany of all things home baker-related. It’s a cumbersome, dusty thing but it’s essential to me in my continuing quest to champion the Filipino home baker. But along comes a book that gives me reason to believe it may be time to chuck that folder in the trash.
Yummy magazine has come out with a gem called Sweet Finds: Manila’s Best Desserts. Every bit as helpful and riveting as I imagine it to be, it’s a treasure trove of desserts, baker information, and an almost obscene source of inspiration for when my next dessert craving hits … um, that would be in a few seconds…
Anyway, the equally dessert-obsessed people at Yummy have sniffed out my ardor for this book and they’ve given me 7 copies of the book to give to 7 dessert-minded DCF readers. Obviously, if you read this blog even in passing, you must be more than just attracted to dessert.
Sugar craving activated? Want a copy of the book?
Here’s what you have to do:
1. Browse through the Home Bakers category here on DCF. I’ve featured close to 100 bakers since I started championing the home baker in 2005 but I’m sure you’ve got your fave(s) by now. Speaking of faves…
2. Choose your favorite Home Baker post and in the Comment form of this post (below) list the following information:
- The TITLE of your favorite Home Baker post
- WHY you like that particular post?
3. Please enter only ONCE.
4. All entries must answer the questions above plus don’t forget to write your name and email address (will not be published) in the blanks provided. Incomplete entries will not be considered.
5. If you have questions about the contest, please stick them in the Comments section.
6. Only those who live in the Philippines are eligible to join. Contest runs from 10am today, February 7, 2013 until 6pm on February 13, 2013. The 7 winners’ names will be randomly generated by Random.org and announced on this website at … surprise! 7am on February 14, 2013, Valentine’s Day.
7. Winners will also be emailed privately and I will send their copy of the book via courier.
Have fun everyone!
~
Many thanks to Yummy magazine for supporting my sweet addictions and that of my readers’ too!
This is my favorite: For My Valentine, Foods To Fall In Love With: Le macaron (part of an ongoing V-day series)
I love macarons and it’d be great to receive them on the sweetest day of the year—valentines!(: that’s why I enjoyed reading this post.
Desserts In a Symphony of Flavors
I love this post because I love leche flan and bread pudding. My family loves my bread pudding but mine does not look anything like the one in the photo. I still have not gotten around how to create my own version of these luscious desserts. This post serves as my peg on my future leche flan and bread pudding experiments.
Sugar Series 2008: Rediscovering San Lo’s Famous… (Dessert#5 of 8)
I remember drooling and thinking of those empanadas for days and nights after reading your post. It was not the torta that got me but the yummy empanadas. I had to wait a couple of months to get hold of one and to this day, I remember how delectable that first bite was. Because the empanada is a bit pricey, I am happy that 1 piece is enough to satisfy my craving – temporarily. Thank you for your features on home bakers!
Five of the Best Chocolate Cakes in Manila
My love affair for Chocolat’s Death by Tablea all started with this post which I read two years ago. The feeling is still the same even until now. Thanks DCF for this post!
Custard and Macaroons
because Gigi Gaerlan was able to combine my first 2 loves: macaroons and leche flan!
plus the fact that she opened her first cupcake/coffee place just a few minutes ride from our place makes me love her even more!
5 of the best chocolate cakes in Manila
I love reading this post over and over again, maybe just as much as I love eating chocolate cake. This introduced me to Dulcelin’s Callebaut Chocolate Ganache cake, and I fell in love with it ever since. Also, more taste-worthy chocolate cakes, suggested by DCF readers no less, could be found in the Comments section of this post. Tried most of them, and they did not disappoint.
The cake that’s the “Toque” of the town = We don’t just copy desserts, we create”!. I really loved this post because we Filipinos looked forward to new finds especially foods and desserts. The way you described their mousse and belgian chocolate cake really send my tummy grumbling. YUM YUM YUM!
Custard and Macaroons
The first time I read that post, I knew I gotta try those. But then I got busy with a lot of things. Three years later, they’re still on my mind. Not too eager to travel to Manila (I live in Subic)just for a box of Custaroons, I sent a text message to Ms. Gigi and asked her if she ships her Custaroons. She said yes but she does not recommended it. Few months later, I got a text message from Ms. Gigi informing me that she’s ready accepting orders for the holiday season 2012. I said to myself it’s now or never.
Not wanting to spoil the experience of the first bite if ever the Custaroons arrive thru mail in bad shape, I had my niece who attends college in manila pick up a box at T. Arguelles. It was love at first bite for me! The same goes for the friends and colleagues that received the Custaroons and the Poppers from me as Christmas presents.
When I think of it, I can’t help but smile at the memory of me lugging 30 boxes from T. Arguelles to Subic in a bus every single week that December! I transported more or less 110 boxes!
Thanks to DCF for the discovery!
Custard and Macaroons
because after reading this post I dreamt about the custaroons until a few days later when I ordered some for my friends bridal shower. Been craving them a lot since then
5 of the best chocolate cakes in Manila
Ever since I was in college, I have this “quest” to search for some of the best chocolate cakes in Manila, esp. those made by home bakers. So I’d look for top 10 and top 5 list in newspapers/magazines and blogs. Then I made a long checklist of “Chocolate Cakes To Try:”. And now, my checklist is already filled with ratings and comments beside each cake.
And now, my dream is to see Blue Toque’s Belgian MIYM Chocolate Cake in future Top 5/10 Chocolate Cake lists!
Tea as Drink and Dessert
…simply because I love tea and I love desserts =) And I love this post more as it featured White Choco Matcha Cake; in my book, Green tea = Love <3 <3 <3
Christmas Gift List Purveyor #1: Chef Buddy Trinidad of Park Avenue Desserts (http://dessertcomesfirst.com/archives/7672/)
Firstly, I am always in search of new food discoveries (especially desserts) to give as gifts for every occasion, especially the holidays. So I always look forward to reading great homemade goodies.
I liked this post because the desserts were a visual treat! His desserts look like works of art. It’s almost a shame to eat them and perfect to gift them because they look so pretty–and they’re yummy too
Christmas Gift List Purveyor #18: John Sta. Cruz of Cake Planet
Cakes are realy good, especially the one with vanilla ice cream
My favorite :Sweet Eats by DCF Presents: GIGI Coffee & Cupcakes
when i saw a cupcake place opening in eastwood i inmediately told my boyfriend that that’s where he’ll find me and he can take all his time working out at the gym , but he is also a dessert lover like i am so after he works out i make sure i got him a cupcake as well .. I love this place and the staff are so friendly so is the owner 
i love the way they treat customers especially one like me who find it so hard to pick which one to eat or order first 
at gigi’s they have simple but yummy moist cupcakes and friendly staff !! I love it there 
I like this post coz one, im a total gaga for cupcakes and they are my favorite dessert of them all
Cupcake Luxury
I like this post because I love cupcakes, I’ve been baking cupcakes and cakes for a year now and made many family and friends happy and smile through these sweets. It’s a joy to hear other people’s sweet experiences with cupcakes. Two thumbs up to Miss Patti for sharing her passion for these yummy treats!
Title: It’s A CHEESEcake
Why I Like This Post: This is just one of the dessert reviews where the author’s expertise comes in (as an accomplished cheesecake baker herself) and I, the reader, would not doubt in my mind (and tongue) that the product will definitely be true to every word!
Title: Anniversary Party Baker #9: Tina Raines of Tina’s Pie Outlet
Why? I love pies! Especially savory pies. I had the privilege to attend DCF’s Anniversary Party where I first tasted Tina’s Pies. And it’s ? at first bite. So this post reminds me of that happy event and of course Tina’s pies
Title: Custard and Macaroons
WHY?
While all your posts entice me to get hold of those desserts right away, my introduction with custaroons through your blog would always be one my of my most memorable firsts! I’ve been loving them until now and maybe forever! You have the gift of words and passion that just draws us readers to ‘experience’ all your featured desserts and restaurants first hand. God bless!
Title: Custard and Macaroons
REason: Because, although I am not much of a sweet tooth, there are three desserts that I can’t really resist… Ube, Custard and Macaroons! And this post really left me craving! Yummy!
I loved your “Small in Size, Big in Bang” post…
I’ve eaten Anita’s little creations several times and I love the way you have described her great sense of taste and creativity in the article – indeed surprising (but very well thought of) combinations that tickles the palate!
A Chocolate Chip Cookie. A Really Big One.
I like this post because I was able to introduce Cookiebar to my wife and she really loved it.
The Terrific Pie With A Tongue-Twister Name
I like this because its something so simple yet eating it is so comforting. Who doesn’t like bananas, cream and chocolate together? I definite love that combination!
Tea as Drink and Dessert (Delicakes by Joly )
I like the post because it introduced me to the delicious macaroons of Delicakes. Even as a child, I have always loved the macaroons baked by a friend of my mom. Of course Delicakes macaroons come in so many delicious flavors… just yummy!
Custard and Macaroons
When I first saw that post, I was SOLD! I like sweet stuffs especially the custard/flan kind. So when I read about these “Custaroons”, my mind just stopped. MUST taste one of those.
Macaroons + Custard = heavenly! Melts in your mouth that will make you savor every bite. This post reminds me of that wonderful moment, just like a kid waiting and imagining what it would taste like.
Christmas Gift List Purveyor #4: Mara de la Rama-Poblete of Dessert du Jour
Oh My! This is the post that got me hooked on your blog. I could almost smell, touch and taste the desserts even if they were just photos. Up to now, I can almost, really savor the Gateau de Crepe. Mmmmm….I read your blog every morning while having breakfast and I must say that both my tummy and soul are truly satisfied.
Christmas Gift List Purveyor #4: Mara de la Rama-Poblete of Dessert du Jour
Mara’s vanilla crepe cake is one of the desserts I look forward to every Christmas! It’s perfect on its own but sometimes I like to add a dollop of Nutella and a piece of strawberry for that extra punch!
(How to) Be One of Manila’s Best Home Bakers
This is my favorite article because it defines a home baker who is destined to be a successful entrepreneur and a home baker who is not built for commercial success but earns the love and respect of people who tasted his/her goodies first – family.
My favorite is From Bags To Baking simply because I find Marion’s cookies so simple and so satisfying. I often pair them with Ian’s ice creams. I miss her cookies terribly and sometimes I wish she would come back to the Philippines for good. For totally selfish reasons.
Sorry, Marion! =)
The “Megastar”
It’s very difficult for a dessert person like myself to choose just one of your “tempting” posts…I chose this particular post since it reminds me of my relationship with “my tofs” (haha version of your Bin)…Tofs likes chocolates except for white chocolate….I on the other hand, love white chocolate…we both love cookies…we don’t share desserts either…This cookie somehow is a mixture of what we both love. Opposites that we are, meeting halfway, accepting our differences, and there you have it a – Boom, boom… POW! relationship
Advance Happy Valentines!
Christmas Gift List Purveyor #14: Addie Wijangco
I love this post because I am such a sucker for good ensaymadas. I love the buttery goodness and cheese making love in every bite! And the aroma… makes me weak in the knees.
I like how the article “The Brownie” tells you how or what makes up a good brownie. I could relate to Lori. I’ve tried so many brownies and brownie recipes that I almost forgot what makes a good brownie. Although, I love walnuts on my brownies. But I wouldn’t mind having chocolate on chocolate.
Small in Size, Big in Bang
This is my favorite article because Anita Li’s cupcakes are awesome. Anita gets really good ideas for cupcake flavors. I loved the wasabi and white chocolate pairing she made. I just wish she would make ginormous servings, though.
The BEST Mango Torte in Manila
Why? Because it was this article that got me hooked on reading your blog! I became really fond of checking on what’s the latest thing you have discovered. It just tingles my sweet tooth!
dg/feb.8,2013
“5 of the Best Chocolate Cakes in Manila” (Nov.14/05)
LOVE AT FIRST BITE!!!!…….
SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE!!!!!! NEED I SAY MORE?:-)
Double The Good Stuff by Ann Puno
I would love to taste her Double Chocolate Chocnut Cake if only it’s available here in Cebu. I am a certified Chocnutholics.
my fave is “A Chocolate Chip Cookie. A Really Big One.” Since I read your post, I’ve been dying to order one and try it for myself. Unfortunately it’s a bit far from me so for now, I can only drool while reading your post. *sigh* The cookie cake looks so damn yummy, also her cookie cups. A unique products that really appeals to those with sweet tooth like myself. Hopefully I’ll get to try it very soon.
The Cake That’s The “Toque” of the Town
Because Mary Anne is someone I know from school, and for her to actually live out her passion inspires me to do the same
How Many Bars Of Butter In These Butter Bars?
This post is my fave because I strongly beleive that there’s no such thing as too much butter.
5 of the Best Chocolate Cakes in Manila
The article brought me back to my first love which is baking. This inspires me to pursue baking again and who knows become a successful entrepreneur someday.
The 10 best desserts in Manila (and the vultures who eat them) posted June 17, 2005
I happen to come a crossed your blog looking for the best chocolate cake in town that is readily accessible to my work way back 2010 at Ortigas, Pasig. I’m so glad I read upon this blog and found Ms. Polly’s Chocolate Cake. I begun searching for its location and found one in Robinson Galleria. I became an instant fan of this chocolate cake because of it’s nice chocolate flavor and balance of sweetness. Now, every time I have sweet tooth attack, I’ll go and grab a slice of Polly’s Chocolate Cake before going home.
(How To) Be One of Manila’s Best Home Bakers
My love for baking grew even more when I had read this article last 2009. I was just a junior college student back then, I don’t have enough idea what would it take to be a great Pastry Chef (since I’m an HRM Student) what I had back then was just, Passion. Until I read this article. I realized all those tips would be nothing if I don’t have this passion for baking. Now, I am continuously experimenting in my kitchen, visiting bazaars which showcases every Homebaker’s creation, reading dessert blogs and lot more activities. Thanks to DCF, homebakers today are really appreciated more than ever.
2 Lolas, One memorable Ensaymada.
It brought me back to those times when my Lola would teach me how to cook ube halaya properly and how to whip up a mean ginataang bilo-bilo. She was a simple person and it showed in her cooking. Up to this day I’m a big fan of food that is simple, pure, and true to its taste. The article also reminded me why I love Ensaymada; and it made me feel really warm inside because here you are, the dessert queen,who most likely, has tasted all the best desserts that money can buy; and you devoted an article for the simple, no non-sense, Ensaymada. I hope you continue doing what you do because for some, your site inspires; for others, DCF is a reference material for good food (desserts or not) and for people like me, your site reminds me of the good things in life and how a simple pastry can bring back memories and quash away negative vibes. Thank You Lori.
My favorite would be:Tea as Drink and Dessert
Why? I Am a self confessed milk tea addict, and reading this makes me want to go to the store immediately and try the milk tea cheesecake. One of these days, I will go to Rob Magnolia and attack that cake! looking forward to that!
P.s.
Lori, Your photos are really good! Hope that there will be another round of food photography workshop!
Thanks and more power!
My favorite post: Savory Pie, Not Sweet
Simply because I love savory pies as much as sweet pies. Someday soon, I hope to be able to bake savory pies as well.
My Favorite Post: Sweet Alternatives For the Holidays (Last of 2 Parts)
Why?
I love carrot cake and apple pie. But being pre-diabetic, I have to watch my sugar intake. So this post is telling me I can still enjoy the pastries/cakes/pies that I love without *much* guilt.
My favorite entry: Favorite Queso de Bola Food for the Holidays
Because this post features two of my favorites: sugar (sweets) and cheese (queso de bola to be more specific)!!! This is also where I learned about Joyce’s QdB spread–I hoarded about 10 bottles from their food stall in Rockwell right after reading the entry.
Thanks, Ms. Lori for all the yummy entries here on you blog. More power!
“Anniversary Party Baker #11: Ricky Morelos of Dulcelin”
Of all the desserts out there , the Mango Torte takes simplicity to a whole new level. The nougatine crust itself is delicious and intriguing, and it makes use of the best fruit of the land. No dessert in Manila, if not the country, can come close to it. The idea that three components (mango, cream, crust) can create something so luscious that the thought of having that last forkful saddens me. I surrender myself to this creation.
Title: (How To) Be One of Manila’s Best Home Bakers
Reason: This is my favourite because the point of view of this post inspires the aspiring home baker and also entrepreneurs of other fields on how to be, as the title says, “One of the Best”. It is not simply a post about the great desserts out there but also on how to create one yourself.
Title: Five of the Best Chocolate cakes in Manila
Reason: Man. For years, I never knew that I was living within walking distance of one of the best chocolate places in Manila (Chocolat). Until I saw this post and tried it out. Death by Tablea is one of my all time favorites. It’s a shame that I only discovered it after reading this post.
Favorite Queso de Bola Food for the Holidays
Christmas is my favorite holiday of all! Talk about the gifts plus family together plus FOOD! Of course, whenever you say the word “Christmas” in the Philippines, “Queso de Bola” always comes next. I luuurrrvvveee cheese and queso de bola is one of my all time favorite! And this particular blog entry has it in every form. Cheesecake, spread, ice cream! Gaaahhh! Drool!