My Chef Sharwin Tee Moment

When you love food as much as I do, it only means one thing and it is either you are a home-cook like me or a chef like Chef Sharwin Tee.

Last October 17, 2014, Lifestyle Network, in cooperation with National Bookstore Glorietta 1, launched Chef Sharwin Tee’s very 1^st cookbook entitled: “The CGTC Cookbook”.  This quirky chef, who is fun to watch in television, transformed his wit and humor into his book of 45 most requested recipes from Season 1 & 2.  His book contains easily worded step-by-step procedure that any beginner can understand and follow.  It also has short stories about his life, show episodes and even his dream.  If you are wondering as to why Chef Sharwin is one quirky person, wonder no further for his initial idol in television show cooking is Mr. Yan of the show Wok with Yan in the 80’s.  His vibrate energy is so like Mr. Yan that you are drawn to his persona as he cooks.  Add to that his love for one of the Philippines recognized and respected TV personality when it comes to cooking, Nora Daza.  He even has a copy of Nora Daza’s cookbook!

During the book launch, which was hosted by fellow Lifestyle Network star – Walter De Mesa, host of Listed, Chef Sharwin Tee was all smiles and candidness to everybody.  On his opening spiel, he offered the 1^st copy of his book to his idol in cooking, the Daza Family. He even took the time to answers some of the questions thrown unto him and was open to handshakes and photos as he signs his book.

LJC Group (Abe, Bistro sa Remedios,Café Havana, Café Adriatico) was made responsible in recreating a dish by Chef Sharwin, which is also in the book, and they did it with grace!  The dish is called Baked Bacon-Wrapped Fish Fillet with Mango Salsa.  To those who follows Chef Sharwin, I guess you are not surprised to hear that bacon was used.  What is nice with this creation is the contrast of flavor and texture made possible by the ingredients used and the technique applied in its creation.  The saltiness and fat of the bacon added flavor to the natural juice of the fish.  The mango salsa worked in two ways here; (1) as a neutralizer of the normal fishy flavor and (2) as a sweet contrast to the bacon.

 The food offered by LJC Group for that event was wonderful!  From strong to light flavors, starting with a filled pastry to end with a filled pastry, from crunchy to a silky texture; the offerings were truly a delight!  I love the Vegetable Samosas (which was the 1^st offering)! It has a mild curry filling that is given another taste dimension when covered with the recommended sauce.  For dessert, what was presented was Chocolate Profiteroles, a pastry filled treat similar to creampuffs.  It has the desired pastry crunch and a Bavarian filling that is not sweet.  A proper way to wash one’s palate.

During the Q&A, Chef Sharwin was asked as to what would be his next offering and his answer was “I really don’t know. I never thought my dream of having a TV show would come true and here it is.  I never thought that my dream of having a cookbook would be a reality, and here it is now.  I really don’t know.”  Hearing that from this energetic and witty chef, one thing is definite . . . expect the deliciously unexpected from Chef Sharwin Tee!

Photos:

(All photos used were personally taken by me during the book launch)

During the program

Walter De Mesa of Listed

Book signing and photo moments with Chef Sharwin & Walter De Mesa