SUNSTAR Philippines affiliates, for the first time, were invited by SunStar Cebu to be part of the celebration of the best Cebuano's have to offer.
SunStar Cebu and Organique’s Best of Cebu (BoC) 2018 Party, held at the Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu, was not only a fun experience but also a tummy-filling experience.
Presented by AirAsia and Sun, the event showcases the winners of Best of Cebu 2018.
For us first-timers, we were excited to see and experience the grand Best of Cebu party. For the Cebu-based guests and those who bought tickets, they know that they will get to taste, see, and experience proudly-Cebuano products and services.
While I felt the excitement coming from the attendees, it was only when the doors to the ballroom opened I witnessed how excited people were. I did not expect that there would be some pushing to happen the moment people started to rush inside. I was surprised but at the same time amused by what happened.
When I got inside, it was there I understood their source of excitement. This was a free tasting and enjoy-all-you-can event. Left and right, Best of Cebu winners were offering their products to the attendees.
For example, when I passed by Luncheonette, they handed to me a grilled cheese sandwich and immediately asked me if I want anything else from their displays. I had been eyeing their chocolate chip cookie the moment I saw their stall and I asked for a one. Both were good, especially the chocolate chip cookie.
I continued to make my way through the crowd of people until I found myself at one end of the ballroom. I grabbed a cup of Milk Tea from the Bubble Tea Station to quench my thirst. They were judged as the Best Milk Tea. They were also serving matcha soft-serve ice cream, which was good too.
I continued to look around and the Banana Pancake Trail stall caught my eye. Not because of the food but because of the stall's design. It was reminiscent of a Thai food stall, a common sight for me while growing up in Thailand. When I saw that they were serving Pad Thai, I was quite excited. I ate a "spork-full" of it and was brought back to Thailand. It was really good. It was just fitting that they were awarded Best Pad Thai in Cebu.
As I continue to make my way around the Best of Cebu 2018 Party, I smelled coffee. Just behind me was the stall of Linear Coffee Roasters. They were serving really good cold brews. I kept coming back for it.
I then bumped into SunStar Davao social media editor Ace Perez and Seralcho's Gabe enjoying ramen from 99 Ramen, which was named Best Budget Ramen.
I was also able to try the Avocado Cream Pie by Treat Street Cafe. The pie was really good. It was voted as Best Pie in Cebu.
Providore's Ube Champorado, which was named Best Specialty Merienda, was also a treat. It was a unique take on the traditional champorado.
I also got to try Cebruery's Chocolate Hills Porter. Cebruery was Best Craft Beer in 2015 and 2016.
There were also some delicious healthy meals at Diet in a Box, Best Wellness Food Delivery. Nobody told me that healthy food can taste good at times.
Tuding’s was serious when it bagged the Best Local Chorizo. Their chorizo had a great balance of sweet and savory. If only I had a kitchen here in Davao City, I would have bought a pack.
I capped my Best of Cebu experience, with the Best Halo-halo of 2018, Sol's Halo-halo. This is not only Cebu's best but also one of the best tasting halo-halo I have ever had.
Best of Cebu not only showcased the best products Cebu has to offer. It also showcased the ingenuity and creativity of local micro, small, and medium enterprises.