I had the pleasure of experiencing a tea-paired lunch for the first time, thanks to an invitation from my dear friend Aleth Ocampo. The event took place inside Salcedo Auctions, surrounded by stunning artworks and ceramic creations. This was the third installment of Aleth’s “Les Plats Somptueux,” a culinary and visual art celebration that she started in 2018.
The concept originated from a conversation between Aleth and Jon Pettyjohn, a renowned contemporary ceramics artist. Aleth proposed the idea of preparing a multicourse meal served using ceramics they made and then selling them afterward. Jon revealed that he had a similar idea years ago but it never came to fruition. Excitedly, he agreed to collaborate with Aleth and other potters in their group.
To refine the menu and inspire the creation of the ceramic wares, Aleth hosted a party for a group of artists at her house. Months later, they successfully pulled off a dinner that showcased art in both culinary and visual forms. The second edition, held in September 2019, featured three talented young potters. The guests were so enthralled that they started reserving their desired wares even before the dinner began, marking their names underneath the pieces. The interaction between the guests and the artists created a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, Aleth had to postpone her next event until dining out became more feasible. She also sought a more accessible venue than her home to accommodate a larger crowd. That’s when she reached out to Richie Lerma of Salcedo Auctions, who eagerly embraced her unique idea. On June 24, “Les Plats Somptueux” made a highly anticipated comeback. This time, Aleth and her daughter Gabby curated a degustation menu, complemented by tea pairings selected by Sheryl Ebon-Martinez, a tea sommelier. The event was able to host 60 guests, a significant increase from the previous intimate gatherings.
One of the highlights of the event was how Aleth infused the steeped teas into her dishes. For example, the salad course featured a mix of greens with strawberries, Mandarin oranges, and shaved almonds dressed in a refreshing matcha vinaigrette infused with Japanese vinegar. They braised pork in pu’erh tea until tender and served it in a steamed bun. The salmon was soaked in sake, cured in salt, and seared to perfection, served on a bed of fluffy Japanese rice with furikake, wasabi, and crispy salmon skin. Warm genmaicha tea was poured over the rice instead of the typical dashi. As for desserts, Aleth gave Western favorites an Asian twist with matcha madeleines, houjicha tres leches trifle, and da hong pao oolong tea dark chocolate truffles.
The collaboration between Aleth and Sheryl, both passionate ceramicists, was a testament to their friendship. Just as Aleth creates vessels for her food, Sheryl crafts wares for her tea. They first met at a ceramics demonstration and quickly became friends. Aleth believes that a perfect meal goes beyond taste; it is a multisensory experience, encompassing presentation, ambiance, and the company shared. Salcedo Auctions provided the ideal venue, with Ferdie Montemayor’s exhibit perfectly complementing the tea pairing and ceramics showcase.
Follow the author on Instagram @fooddudeph.
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