You are invited to the biggest food tasting event in the country – the Ultimate Taste Test 2015!

This much-anticipated annual food trip is happening this Saturday – September 12, 2015 (11am-9pm) at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati City. The Ultimate Taste Test enables food lovers to be food-critics-for-a-day by sampling mouth-watering unique flavors in Manila from over 40+ home-based food businesses.

Organized by the Our Awesome Planet team led by Anton Diaz, its mission is to provide food lovers with remarkable activities meant to excite their palates with the latest and greatest dishes from the most talked about food concessionaires including home bakers, caterers, and food product retailers in Metro Manila.

Get you tickets here: http://www.ourawesomeplanet.com/awesome/2015/08/ultimate-taste-test-2015-tickets.html

Ultimate Taste Test 2015

UTT Summary:

• What: Ultimate Taste Test 2015
• When: September 12, Saturday, come anytime between 11am-9pm
• Where: Glorietta Activity Center, Makati City

Be in the loop about the newest foodie finds with NomNom Club by subscribing to our blog through email and liking the NomNomClub Facebook Page. Follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts too!

Moreover, you can also be a food critic for a day by scoring the food booths! See you at the Ultimate Taste Test 2015!

Although our editor-in-chief has been to previous UTT, Clasrissa and I were first-timers and excited to be “food critics” for a day in the recent Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test 2.

The Fruit Garden

Knowing that there would be 40 different food stalls to try at the Rockwell Tent, we had to craft a plan so we can try everything just like how our EIC made it in last year’s Ultimate Taste Test. I couldn’t imagine how to go through each and every booth so I told Clariss that we should start with main dishes such as pork, chicken, and other meat down to the desserts and beverages.

Frisch Liquor Ice Cream

We were given a set of food tray, a pen, and a map with a grading sheet with the names of the participating vendors. It’s actually our passport to every food stall. We don’t have to finish all the stalls but it would be an awesome experience if we do!

The Scoring System:

• 1 – Thanks, but it could be better
• 2 – It’s Okay
• 3 – We had a good time!
• 4 – I love it!
• 5 – Awesome! I would recommend!

Bayani Brew

The UTT management has made it very comfortable for the “food critics”, there’s enough space, drinking water dispenser and disposable plastic cups.

On my list, I actually had 12 different food stalls with a grade of 5, but will shorten it the Top 10. Let me share our great food finds with a grade of 5 at UTT2.

1. Hillside Ranch
o This is one of the most scrumptious meat entrée in UTT2. To be honest, I’m a little picky when it comes to meat. I always want it juicy, moist, flavorful but definitely not salty, and most of all tender! Available in two variants, the corned beef brisket an my favorite  slow roast beef belly. Unfortunately, they are not available in major supermarkets but you can buy them at Trellis in QC and Essel Supermarket in San Fernando, Pampanga (the province where they came from – a place famous for good food).

Hillside Ranch

2. Carlo’s Kitchen
o The crispy, crunchy goodness of Carlos Kitchen pork belly goes very well with a bottle of San Miguel Beer! I got to try it when I visited Mercato Centrale about few months ago. The flavour, which is not too salty, and the crispiness remain the same. Crunchy belly is good for “pulutan” (finger food or appetizer). I almost forgot my favourite Bulacan chicharon!

Carlo’s Kitchen

3. Baked by Anita
o Known for their delicious cupcakes, Baked by Anita surprised us with their newest offering – a flavourful savory pie called the “Wild Mushroom Gruyere & Truffle Oil”. The truffle oil made it more appealing to the palate.

Baked by Anita

UTT would not be complete without dessert such as creamy and irresistible ice cream, cakes, pastries and smoothies. Here’s my take on their dessert & beverage section.

4. Blue Togue
o When it comes to desserts, I highly recommend Blue Togue! Initially, I was hesitant to try the cakes and pastries since I had some cheesecake overload the past few days. As of this writing I still have two boxes of Conti’s cakes in my fridge. Nonetheless, their Nutella Mouse Cake looks so divine I can’t resist! And yes, I was bewitched with its moist and creamy chiffon. I highly recommend Blue Togue!

Blue Togue’s Nutella Mouse Cake

5. Matasami Flavoured Shave Ice
o This one is definitely different from other flavoured shave ice I tried in the past. I never thought it would be so smooth, so luscious, so creamy and so delicious! I tried two flavors – the Swiss Cheese and Langka, in favor of the former. The owner was very generous offering us to try other variants but I had to refuse. Perhaps on my next visit, I will try the Hawaiian Shave Ice and their liquor syrups.

o Matasami can be found in: SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Galleria, Glorietta 4 Cinema Level and soon at Robinsons Magnolia.

Matasami

6. Villa Del Conte
o I’m already familiar with Villa del Conte as boyfie once gave me a box of these luscious, rich, premium chocolates.

Villa Del Conte

7. Saint Alps
o They served us their refreshing Blueberry Double Chocolate which was outstanding!

Saint Alps

8. Bayani Brew
o Bayani brew offers interesting and healthy beverages. I tried their Lemongrass Pandan Iced tea and Purple leaf tea Iced tea. Guess what is a purple leaf tea? It’s actually “talbos ng kamote” (kamote tops)! Interestingly, it doesn’t taste like kamote tops. However, the lemongrass pandan is just like a regular brewed iced tea but I liked it nonetheless! Each bottle costs P35.

Bayani Brew

9. Pinkberry – They served us Coconut Pinkberry and made us choose 3 toppings. It had a good balance of tanginess and sweetness to crave for.  Check out my separate post on Pinkberry.

10. Mochi Sweets

o A soft and not-too-sweet mocha dessert goes well with a cup of hot tea. Since we’re already full, I paired it with Nescafe Dolce Gusto Cappuccino.

Mochi Sweets

With a wide variety of food, I never thought I would be spending almost four hours at UTT2.

Other interesting food items are the Hokey Pokey Ice Cream from New Zealand Natural, Frisch Liquor Ice Cream, Maria’s Ilocos Empanada, Chef Anton, Lulu Belle, & the Plaza.

Bake Buddy

The Plaza

Nutella Rocks

On the other hand, there were two food stalls that I had to visit twice because they run out of food – Chief Wings and Chow Fun. The latter offered us their interesting chocolate butchi.

* Story and photos by Marjorie Pineda of www.livingmarjorney.com

New Zealand Natural

Maria’s Ilocos Empanada

Nescafe Dolce Gusto

Those are my Top 10 food items from Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test 2! I was so full I had to skip dinner that night.

NomNom with Anton Diaz (right) in UTT

In Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test 2011, NomNom was able to conquer 51 food stalls. How many would this year’s count be? On September 15 and 16, test your appetite and set your own records at Rockwell’s 2nd Ultimate Taste Test happening at Rockwell Tent as brought to us by Anton Diaz‘ Our Awesome Planet together with San Miguel Lifestyle Brews and more.

This two-day food tasting event happens from 11 in the morning up until 9 in the evening of both days. Get to taste samplings from over 40 home-based food businesses, concessionaires, and Power Plant mall establishments as they set up shop to have food lovers, connoisseurs, and foodies, become ” food critics for a day.“

Food Rating Activity

Rockwell’s ltimate Taste Test traditional ratings of the food by the visitors within the scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, will be one of the event’s highlights. The top performing food stalls with the average rating of 3.8 and above, will be specially features in Anton Daiz’s Our Awesome Planet blog in October 2012.

Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test 2011 Score Sheet

Purchase Tickets

The ticket rates for the tenth (10th) edition of the Ultimate Taste Test  (UTT) is at P585/person/day or P1,000/person for 2 days. This covers the food taste portions and a bottle of San Miguel Super Dry, Premium All-Malt or Cerveza Negra (age 18 and above).

Buy the tickets from Creative Juice Office (Tel. # 5707827) during office hours or Rockwell Customer Care (Tel. # 8981702) during mall hours . You may also email admin@ultimatetastetest.com for questions and inquiries.

Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test 2012

For Interested Food Suppliers

Interested in becoming one of the food suppliers? Email the organizers at admin@ultimatetastetest.com. 

Buy your tickets now as only 1,000 tickets to be sold are allocated per day. See you at Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test 2 in 10 days! 🙂

What do you call the act of devouring food at the Ultimate Taste Test event? – ‘Ultimate Taste Testing’. 🙂

Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet, NomNom, & Tricie (R-L)

Ok, I made that up.

A week after the Ultimate Taste Test 6.0, people have been asking how many food stalls was I able to try. And when I answer 51, they seemed to be amazed and ask how I did it.

It’s simple actually.

If you approach it mathematically, ~50 stalls in 5 hours is equal to 10 stalls per hour or 6 minutes per food stall. Thinking about it, 6 minutes is already a good rate which includes taking photos, lining up, and asking  a little background about the food from the owners.

Here are some tips on how I was able to make it through 51 of the 55 food stalls in Ultimate Taste Test 6.0:

1) Skip Breakfast – this readies your tummy with maximize space available. 🙂

2) Come Early – I came 15 mins. ahead of time. There were only a handful of people and you’ve got the food suppliers pulling you by the arm just to try their delicacies. You’ll never feel unwanted. 🙂

Conquering 51 Food Stalls at the Ultimate Taste Test 6 (2011)

3) Relax, Don’t Panic – Eat in pace, one at a time. You’re not in a race. Get rid of the greedy mentality and trust the organizers that they prepared enough food for everyone and that you will not run out of food to taste.

4) Take a Sip after every food stall visit – this helps clear your palate for objective tasting of the next, and pushes down the previous. You can also bring a water bottle just in case the event lacks beverage suppliers.

Nomnomnom...

5) Eat in Line – when rush hour strikes, you might find yourself waiting in line specially if the stall is a blockbuster hit. This is the best time to eat your haul from the previous stall. By the time you’re finished, your’re in front of the line. Efficiency is key. 🙂

6) Bring an Eating Buddy – (preferably with the same level of appetite)  nothing beats peer support. If you see your friend eating along with you, you will be more determined. Although I came by myself, we didn’t fall short of having the other food bloggers around for company (and critique).

7) Strategize – being my third UTT, I already learned from my previous mistakes. I utilized a different strategy this time. For the first hour (11am-12nn), I just took photos. The title should actually be 51 Stalls in 4 Hours. 🙂

8 ) Alternate Main Dishes and Desserts – my first approach was from left to right, but there came a point when there was a series of dessert food stalls which overwhelmed even my sweet tooth. I decided to drop my sequence and just remember to go back to the ones I skipped.

6 Ultimate Finds from the Ultimate Taste Test 6.0

This was my alternate title for this article. But since a lot of food bloggers already came out with theirs days ago. I surmised mine was old news.

Anyhow, so here’s NomNom Club‘s Top 6 Ulitmate Finds from the Ultimate Taste Test 6.0 last week:

Symphony of Flavors

6.)  Symphony of Flavors – Best Leche Flan Cheesecake ever! The goodness of Lech Flan and Cheesecake combined.

Carmen's Best - Holly's Milk and Ice Cream

5.)  Carmen’s Best – Using 100% fresh cow’s milk, I love the Salted Caramel Ice Cream.

Chef C's Paella

4.)  Chef C’s – I can’t remember if they served other dishes but I was extremely satisfied with their Paella De Andaluz.

Dek A Thai Authentic Cuisine

3.)  Dek A Thai Authentic Cuisine – The Popia and Thai Milk Tea were indeed authentic and very good. You’d want to dine in and ask for a full serving. 🙂

Luigi's

2.)  Luigi’s -  They almost made my top spot with their awesome Phillychangas and Chicken Cordon Bleu with Aligue Mayo. Yummy!

PinakBest

1.)  Pinakbest – Aptly named, Pinakbest was my pinaka-best pick with their Bagnet and Ilocos empanada. They also got the longest line.

But…but…I have  more recommendations! Allow me to give my next 6 as well:

Spring By Ha Yuan

7.)  Spring by Ha Yuan – Their Ka-Pao variants Pulled Pork, Beef Shortrib, and Monk’s Dream were a sight. I was only allowed to try one though – Beef Shortrib – and it was good!

Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates

8.)  Theo & Philo Chocolate – these Artisan Chocolates come in interesting packages and chocolate flavors combined with the not-your-usual chocolate partners. 🙂

5 Loaves & 2 Fish

9.)  5 Loaves and 2 Fish – not sure if I should call it nachos or tortillas, but the baked chips were crunchy and the dips were interesting and flavorful

Chori Chori Burger Joint

10.)  Chori Chori Burger Joint – they got the Chori Burger taste from Boracay. You should try the Chori Burger with Egg.

The Sweet LIfe's 'Sweet Surrender'

11.)  The Sweet Life – You should try their “Sweet Surrender” which is a frozen soft meringue with custard and French Vanilla ice cream. It is held by a graham cracker crust.

Eat My GF (Garlic Fries)

12.)  Eat My GF – Aside from the interesting name, it’s basically Garlic French Fries at it’s best.

An additional special mention would be  Chef Bruce Lim’s Chef Table’s Buco Pie Martini for its creativeness. 🙂

Chef's Table Buco Pandan Martini

For more photos of the other exhibitors, check out the photo albums in our NomNom Club Facebook fanpage.

Ultimate Taste Test 6

And those are my 13 Top Picks form the recent Ultimate Taste Test 6 and how I made it through 51 of them in 5 hours. See you next year! 🙂

Food lovers, connoisseurs, and foodies, hear ye, hear ye! One of the most exciting food event of the year is back – the sixth edition of the Ultimate Taste Test!

Brought to you by Our Awesome Planet, in cooperation with San Miguel Lifestyle Brews, Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test 6.0 is happening on September 3 at the Rockwell Tent from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. as food blogger Anton Diaz  embarks on this first partnership with Rockwell.

Be a food-critic-for-a-day by sampling mouth-watering food preparations and concoctions from over 50+ home-based food businesses and some of Power Plant Mall’s own restaurants. Participants also get to rate the food samples and exhibiting food concessionaires on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the highest. The hihgest scorers get to be featured in Anton’s site.

Each ticket costs P585/person and covers the ff:

• Food Taste Portions from 50+ Home-Based Food Vendors & Power Plant Mall Restaurants (new) for the entire Saturday
• A bottle of San Miguel Super Dry, Premium All-Malt or Cerveza Negra (18 years old and above only)
• Exclusive to 1,000 foodies

Ultimate Taste Test 6.0 2011

For ticket inquiries, call Power Plant Mall Office (Tel. # 8981702) during mall hours or Creative Juice Office (Tel. # 5707827) during office hours.

Here is a list of Food Exhibitors you might expect:

If you want to be a food supplier, contact Rockwell UTT Application Form and submit  via email to admin@ultimatetastetest.com.

See related Posts:

• Ultimate taste Test 4.0
• Ultimate taste Test 4.0 Photos

Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test Event
September 3, 2011, Saturday, 11.00 am – 9.00 pm.
Rockwell Tent
Email admin@ultimatetastetest.com.
P585/head. Tickets available at Power Plant Mall Office (Tel. # 8981702) during mall hours or Creative Juice Office (Tel. # 5707827) during office hours.

See you fellow foodies at the Ultimate Taste Test 6.0 on Saturday! 🙂

ManilaQ's Corned Beef Pansigang

The Ultimate Taste Test 4.0 was concluded a  few hours ago – May 14 – at the NBC Tent in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

I’m usually slow in publishing my stories taking a few days or more. So, I’m first releasing some of the photos I took earlier in the Ultimate Taste Test 4.0 foodie event organized by Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet and hosted by foodies Ivan Man Dy and Spanky Enriquez.

Marty's Baconette Strips Snack (chichirya)

A lot happened and so much food consumed within the three solid hours of food tasting by more than 1000 foodies being served by about 50 food suppliers.

There’s even a voting / ranking system of the best tasting food in the UTT.

For now, feel free to feast on some photos of the Ultimate Lamon, este, Tasting event:

Main Courses / Entrees

Denim Kitchen

Ultimate taste Test Lechon

The Fruit Garden (leftmost top), Happy Green (Right bottom)

Ultimate Taste Test 4.0 - ManilaQ

Empanada Avenue

Roast DucK Siopao

Desserts:

Chocolate Moist Cake

Purple Dough Desserts

Frozen Meringue by Tina Raines

Divinr Drsserts (Leftmost Top ); Dulceline Gourmets (Leftmost Bottom); Monterey (Upper Right)

Kraze Kitch Bakeshop

Ultimate Taste Test Desserts (I forgot the dessert place name) 🙂

More Brands

ManilaQ, Crave Burger, Muscovy, Swirls

The People / Crowd

Mombloggers (upper left); Performers (lower left); Bobby Yan (lower right)

Arpee Lazaro of Aqua Health Alkaline Water

Ella Ganda's Liempo (upper left); college orgmates (upper center); Crave Burger (upper right)

Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks (night's host with Spanky Enriquez)

Ultimate Taste Test 4.0

The stories behind the photos and my recommendations of the Ultimate Taste Test 4 will follow in a few days so visit this blog again to check out which servings made it to NomNom‘s top list. 🙂

After the successful Ultimate Taste Tests in the previous years, Anton Diaz of Our Awesome Planet, with the participation of about 50 food suppliers invite you to the Biggest Ultimate Taste Test in the Philippines!

To be held on May 14, 2010, 7 to 10pm at  1,000 foodies are expected to troop to the NBC Tent, Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The foodies-turned-food critics will taste-test some of the upcoming food concoctions of tomorrow and newest young brands.

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May 13 5pm Update
The 1000 foodie slots are all filled up; even for walk-ins on the day itself
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Not to be dismissed as a simple buffet, it’s like taking a peek inside a foodie’s kitchen and getting a taste of their food. Moreover, participants can rate them and provide feedback.

The event will be hosted by Old Manila Walks food-culture guide and foodie Manila Boy Blogger Ivan Man Dy and Spanky Enriquez, respectively. The Comedy Cartel will also be there a s a special guest.

A contribution fee of P230/head includes a P200 contribution to MASED (Macario Arnold for Socio-Economic Development) Foundation’s Out-of-School Youth Program and P30 for one bottle of any of the San Miguel Lifestyle Brews: San Miguel Super Dry, Premium All-Malt and Cerveza Negra(on ly for 18 yrs old & above) . For children who are 3-6 years old, the contribution fee is only P100.

Participation mechanics through registration as one of the 1,000 foodies in the event is not included in the article anymore since it is two days away. You are encouraged to try coming early as walk-ins. For more details, you may email Rache at rache@diaz.ph

Note: Parking is available at The Fort Strip or around the NBC Tent.

Food Suppliers as of last week

Appetizers / Starters (9)

1. Brazo by Ces Lopez
St. Francis Quiche (with Portobello and Asparagus)
Chicken Pork Adobo Quiche
Classic Quiche Lorraine in Gruyere Cheese

2. Denim Kitchen
Bangus Sardines in Canola Oil
Smoked Mackerel in Olive Oil, Crunchy Garlic, Mango Chutney

3. Chile Vitas
Chile Cheese, Chile Vinegar, Chile Mustard & Chile Pepper sauce

4. Maison de Valere‘s chicken liver pate on toasts.

5. The Fruit Garden Assorted Fruit Jam

6. Joax Ingredients & Food Development Corporation‘s Fried cured meat and Dimsum

7. Emapanada Avenue‘s Empanadas

8. Oishi Smart C+ lemon variant and Marty’s Baconnette Strips

9. Anla’s Congee

Main Course / Meat (13)

10. Lattize’s Lengua Sulipena and Corned Beef

11. Pepita’s Kitchen Lechon

12. Sunrise Bucket Chicken Wings

13. Dulcelin main course + 1 dessert

14. Sakae Sushi Spider Roll Sushi

15. Pepetons Grill
Kapalmuks – deep-fried pig face, it’s like crispy pata
Sinuman na tyan ng Bangus – Bangus belly wrapped in banana leaves
Binalay – Ibanag’s kakanin
Bundok rice – Pinoy version of Thai bagoong rice

16. Goodles Pasta

17. Crave Burger

18. JAM Foods‘ Angus Beef Tapa

19. True Santos Duck Farm’s Muscovy Duck Ham (with special ham sauce)

20. Jay’s Caldereta

21. The Classic Roast Whole Roast Duck and Roast Duck Siopao

22. Qasa 61‘s Marikina Cuisine

Desserts (16)

23. Kraze Kitch Bakeshop
Lengua de Gato – original, almonds, oatmeal raisin, ube
Flourless Chocolate Cake

24. Adee’s Caramel Bars

25. Savoury Pies
Frozen Lemon and Herb Pie plus Frozen Strawberry Pie

26. Marveron Enterprises
Macaroons, apple pie, food for the gods and fresh lumpiang ubod

27. Purple Dough
Chocolate Chip Cookies/Peanut Butter Cookies

28. Heidi’s Taiwan Snowflakes Ice

29. Craveman Food Ventures Inc.
Shaved Snow with toppings/flavors: Strawberry, Mango,
Chocolate, Banana-choco, Ube-Munggo, Sweet Corn, Peanut

30. Better Sweet Spot’s Cakes & Cupcakes – Dark Chocolate Cheese,
Red Velvet, Chocolate Lava, Chewy Chocolate

31. Crepes & Cream Fiesta Halo Crepe

32. The Bandana Baker Mango Bars, Mega Chocolate Cookies, Cranberry & White Chocolate cookies

33. Anne Hilario‘s Chocolate praline ganache cake

34. Benzi‘s Cheese Brownies, Apple Bavarian Torte Cheesecake Lollipop or Cheesecake Truffle

35. Divine Desserts

36. Jeren‘s Kefir for Vegan from Coconut Kefir Dressing

37. Boracay’s Frozen Swirl Kefir

38. Fruits in Ice Cream Summer Cafe (FIC) Sansrival

Drinks (6)

39. San Miguel Lifestyle Brew’s San Mig Dry, Cerveza Negra, Premium All-Malt

(Tasting Portions for FREE, P50/bottle during the event)

Note: Beer will only be served to Foodies 18 years old and above

40. SodaStream by Max.Ideas Marketing Corporation

41. Conlins Coffee by Conlins Coffee World Inc.

42. El Kapitan Coffee

43. Arpee Lazaro’s Aqua Health alkaline ionized water

44. Paco Magsaysay‘s Holly’s Milk

See you at the Ultimate Taste Test 4.0 on May 14 and let’s take on the food critic’s hat. Everybody’s input will be essential. 🙂