As the year approaches its 4th quarter, the foodie community wouldn’t want to reach the end without bringing in the most awaited taste test event of the metro. With all the taste test events coming in left and right, one event is still unbeatable and reigning to make delicious dishes famous in Manila. And this is of course, Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test.

Happened last September 15-16, 2012, food critics gathered in one big tent, The Rockwell Tent, to explore new tastes the food market has to offer. 

I spent my merienda to dinner at the Ultimate Taste Test. I started at 4pm and ended at around 6pm. From my 2 hours of circling around the corners of the tent, here are the food stalls I noticed overall…

#8) Maria’s Ilocos Empananda – What’s so special about it? Maria’s version has “cheese” inside. Tastier and fattier! Hehe 🙂 The sound of every bite can be heard with its crispy orange shell. 

Freshly made at the event, which makes every serving of empanada hot and fresh. I had the chance to observe how they prepare their empanadas neat and fast. 

#7) Aligue Rice of Kusina Reyes – If you desire rice, you”d surely notice Kusina Reyes. Aligue Rice didn’t amaze my taste buds to the fullest but it was good enough to shift my usual brown or white rice to an abnormal kind of rice. 

Since I didn’t have the right kind of utensils, only a piece of spoon as far as I can remember, I wasn’t capable of eating the shrimps. 

#6) Mechado on Pandesal by Panchados – Smart way of eating mechado goes to Panchados. Its simplicity and preparation to make the meat chewy deserve a star from me.

#5) Ice cream by New Zealand Natural – They ice creams from New Zealand Natural come in full-cream flavours. Check out their flavors and you’ll see they also offer 97% Fat-Free frozen yoghurts and 99% Fat-Free sorbets. 

My choice was a cup of Hokey Pokey ice cream. Tastes so sweet because of its crunchy butterscotch balls and creamy honey fused as one. 

#4) Coffee Caramel Walnut Crunch Cookies and Red Velvet Cookies by Bake Buddy – Cookies will always be loved! With all the cookies my mouth has been munching ever since I was aware they were cookies, I can be quite picky when it comes to desserts and pastries such as cookies. I wouldn’t say Bake Buddy has the best cookies in town but their Coffee Caramel Walnut Crunch and Red Velvet Cookies can compete among local cookie vendors.

I didn’t mean to take this shot. Ooops! 

 #3) Flavored Taho by Mang Pedro Food Products – It’s rare for me to eat Taho. But I super kadooper love having taho in the morning. It’s unfortunate for me I don’t hear the taho man in my area. When I saw the taho stand at the Ultimate Taste Test, I knew I would get one for myself whatever it takes. haha! 

I didn’t just get one, but two to try. Almond flavor on the left and Strawberry flavor on the right. What’s important at that time is that I was able to get my taho fix. I don’t think manong taho would sell these flavors so I might as well try them at Mang Pedro’s stall. Both flavors got me hooked! Although I prefer their Strawberry flavor over Almond.

#2) Slow Roasted Beef Belly & Corned Beef Brisket by Hillside Ranch – Punch yourself if you didn’t try these at the Ultimate Taste Test. Both were absolutely diet ruiners. Not a doubt this is my top 2 among all other yummy goodies at the event. A carnivore does not have any excuse to miss out on this. 

#1) Roast Turkey by Chef Anton – The best thing I tried at the taste test! 

Served a la tapas style, slice of toast, greens, turkey slices and fruity jam on top went perfectly altogether. I can imagine serving these at cocktail events, parties or gatherings where you can easily eat using your fingers. Chef Anton’s roasted turkey hypnotized me. Such a tease to get a bite whenever you pass by his stall. 

A happy kid with a big smile enjoyed eating at Rockwell’s 2nd Ultimate Taste Test! 

Thank you Anton Diaz for helping and accommodating my requests that night. I wouldn’t enjoy Ultimate Taste Test without your help. 

Cheers,