When French Baker stores open today, they’ll be ushering in a milestone in the type of bread available to the Philippine consumer, at least for those of us who embrace carbohydrates. Today, French Baker’s founder and CEO, Johnlu Koa, will unveil his 100% Whole Grain Bread, a loaf he’s been perfecting for four years. Calling it “the purest whole wheat,” it’s the first of its kind in the country made with five different types of grain: rolled oats, the oatmeal we know but in its less-processed state; sunflower seeds, which are rich in iron and protein; wheat germ, the embryo of the wheat berry, and a powerhouse of nutrients; flax seeds teeming with Omega-3 fatty acids, and white sesame seeds contributing crunch and flavor. Though whole wheat loaves have been an alternative option to white for several years now, their whole wheat percentage is very low, essentially white bread masquerading as brown. Whole wheat bread as you know, is made from flour produced from wheat grains that have been de-husked but still contain both the bran and the wheat germ. I’ve been munching on French Baker’s 100% Whole Grain Bread for the past week. ...

In the mid 90s, Joseph & Jaemark’s was a dive somewhere near the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay. The al fresco (that'd be putting it politely), nondescript restaurant would’ve flown below my radar if it weren’t for Sandy Daza, culinary expert who’s the son of cooking legend Nora Daza and the cousin of my Bin. People flocked here for only one thing: the tuna. Whether it was panga (tuna jaw), tiyan (tuna belly), or the crispy buntot (tuna tail), eating any or all of these tuna specialties was worth the long drive, problematic parking, cramped eating space, and airy environs odoriferous with grilling tuna and car exhaust. At their peak, Joseph & Jaemark’s opened a more accessible, larger spot along Katipunan near the White Plains-Santolan intersection. Bucolic was the general theme highlighted by bahay kubos under which groups ate on banana leaf-lined plates served by waiters clad in tropical-print shirts and khakis. At least parking was easier here but it was still damn near impossible to get a table on most nights. But the food never changed. The 2000s had barely warmed up when Joseph & Jaemark’s suddenly disappeared. I joined the dismayed fray that ...

Last Monday, the card that comes with the birthday gift from my mom and dad is simply titled, “Eggs.” A black and white photo (above) from Master Photographer, Ernesto “Judes” T. Echauz, its purity is noteworthy – a basket of eggs with an errant one captured in mid-flight, and then a single cracked egg, its white dripping onto the card’s white borders. So mesmerized am I with the photo that I almost forget to read the inscription inside. organic (and washed) duck eggs with a bayawak egg off to the side I love all eggs, a love that’s very well-documented in this website, from chicken to ostrich and even to bayawak. I judge a breakfast place by how well they do their eggs benedict and a morning meal at Kopi Roti always kickstarts my day right. I have a special place in my heart ...

In his book, “A Man of My Words” (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2003), professional linguist Richard Lederer, writes, “An old dictionary is … nice to have around but of little practical use. Unless you’re a collector, replace old dictionaries with ones published within the past 10 years at least.” Alarmed, I run to my library…

As requested by those of you who missed the premier broadcast of Dessert Comes First on Mellow 94.7 FM last night, here’s the Valentine’s Day list that I presented. 1. Silicone Zone chopping board mat Measuring 11.2 x 11.2 x 0.2 inches, it’s a surefire way to keep your board and knife where they should be. I love mine to death and the color is so apropos for V-Day! Distributed by SweetLink. 807-8272; www.siliconezone.com 2. Myron’s V-Day Menu (click here to view) 3. Zoi’s Sausages All-meat sausage specialties. I’ll never go to another deli again. My faves: the Chipolata and Cheese. Try also the exceptional beef bulgogi which I use to fill my shawarmas and fresh Vietnamese spring rolls. The distributor, Anton Guerrero of Thunderbolt Distribution, also distributes Brothers Burger beef patties in Gourmet or Black Angus. View Thunderbolt product list 4. Chocolates by Benoit Nicolay A chocolate artisan who makes the only handmade Belgian chocolates in the Philippines. Click here to view Valentine's Day products. www.chocolatesbybenoit.com 822-6995; ...

Dessert Comes First breaks into radio! Beginning February 11, 2009 and every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, I'll be hosting a food talk show on Mellow 94.7 FM from 8-10 pm. This is the same station I guested on last year during Marco's Mellow Nites program. I'm ecstatic to be working with Marco again and on a more regular basis at that. He'll spin his magic behind the console while trading his barbs and brilliance with me. We envision a free-spirited, spontaneous show centered on one food topic for the first hour, and then on the second hour, we'll be welcoming our on-air guests who naturally, are part of the food industry. It is a talk show after all. I'm pleased to announce that our guests for the premier broadcast of Dessert Comes First on Mellow 94.7 are none other than Oliver Ong and Rory Johnson, co-founders of Chicago Popcorn Shops. If you haven't met the popcorn pair already, you'll hear for yourself how delightfully they say the word, "carmel."...

Using a knife is all good but there’s something about pounding ingredients, scraping them against the rough surface, giving ‘em a well-meaning thwack! that releases flavors deep within. I don’t even have to mention what an excellent stress reliever it is.