Nomnomnom, Eat, Nomnomnom, Eat, Nomnomnom

Have you run out of gift ideas to give your friends and officemates? Does ordinary chocolates and candies look cheap? I always wanted to give sweet simple things, but it should look nice. But with lots of parties and events to attend to this Christmas, it’s really hard to do so – so I’m sharing this lazy bone convenient discovery with you, my nomnom friends. 🙂

Toblerone Christmas Transparent Pack

From the iconic triangular Swiss chocolate with honey and almond nougat, Toblerone releases new special packages designed specifically for Christmas. It’s a chocolate Christmas weekend! Having just blogged about Dove Chocolates and Krispy Kreme’s Holiday Doughnuts a few days ago, now here’s Toblerone’s Holiday Treats in tin cans!

The first of which is the Toblerone “Holiday Treat” pack. The triangular-shaped pack contains four Toblerone Milk Minis, three White Minis, and three Dark Minis. A gold ring on top of the box makes it easy to hang on Christmas trees as well!

Toblerone White Minis Bag

Aside from the Christmas packs, Toblerone has also released a new variant – Toblerone White Minis 200g bag! Inside each bag contains 16 bite-sized white minis.

Toblerone bars also come in beautiful tin cans with two convenient sizes—perfect for your officemates and friends. 🙂 The large tin can contains a 100g milk bar and a 100g white bar, while the small tin can contains two 50g milk bars, one 50g white bar and one 50g dark bar. Both come in holiday-themed designs. You can of course, go green and resuse these tin cans.

Toblerone Tin Cans

True to Toblerone’s thrust to encourage us to say “thank you,” Toblerone’s Holiday Treats and tin cans are perfect quick thank you gifts this Christmas. 🙂 I want each of those! 🙂

No, it’s not yet Valentine’s Day. 🙂 From the makers of long-time loved global brands of chocolates such as M&M’s and Mars comes Dove Chocolates.

Dove Chocolate comes to the Philippines at an opportune time of Christmas fit as gifts of love and care. It also comes in four chocolate variants:

• Dove® Milk Chocolate (43g)
• Dove® Dark Chocolate (43g)
• Dove® Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut, Almond & Raisin (43g)
• Dove® Chocolate with Crispy Rice (4og)

The plain milk chocolate has the silkiest chocolate among the four. It’s the best seller as well.

The dark chocolate is for those with a little more sophisticated taste which prefers their chocolates dark, like I do. (LOL)  🙂

The other milk chocolate with hazelnut, almond, and raisin comes next to my heart as I love good texture in what I eat.

The last one with crispy rice is a tricky choice as you must make sure you are getting new chocolates. I love rice crispies as well, though. 🙂

Me-Time Moment

Dove Chocolates

My me-time moment is quite simple. It is my habit to eat snacks while browsing sites in front of my netbook in the comforts of my home. So undeniably, my me-time moment is having Dove dark chocolate while surfing my favorite food blogs, travel blogs, and technology blogs. 🙂

All the four silky smooth Dove chocolate variants are now available for P45 at all local supermarkets and convenience stores in the metro.

Magnolia Ice Cream recently launched its newest limited edition flavors for the holidays – Vanilla Praline, Caramel Cheesecake, and Apple Strudel.

In line with this, Magnolia Ice Cream is holding a blog writing contest where you could share your Magnolia ice cream experience with your family. The flavor in the blog story could be any one of the holiday limited edition flavors.

Complete mechanics are as follows:

1) Concept

Write a blog about an experience you and your family had with any or all of the Magnolia Ice Cream Christmas Limited Edition Flavors with the theme “Enjoy While It’s Here“.

2) Article

The entry should contain at least 200 words and a maximum of 500 words. The words ‘Magnolia Ice Cream’, ‘limited edition’, and at least one of the three variants (Vanilla Praline, Caramel Cheesecake, Apple Strudel) should be mentioned at least once anywhere in the whole article or blog. At least once, the word ‘Magnolia Ice Cream’ should be a link to http://www.magnoliaicecream.com.ph/

3) Photo

The blog should contain at least one photo containing any of the three variants/flavors relevant to the article. Make sure the photos are yours and does not infringe any copyright.

4) Share

Encourage other readers to join the blog writing contest as well and link to http://NomNomclub.com/affairs/2010/magnolia-ice-cream-blog-writing-contest. Leave your blog post URL as a comment below including your email address where you will be notified in case you will emerge as the winner.

5) Duration

The writing contest will be from December 6, 2010 to 25 January 8, 2011. Announcement of winners will be on December 31, 2010 January 16, 2011.

6) Criteria

•    Creativity and Writing Style – 50%

•    Originality, Grammar & Adherence to Theme – 20%

•    Photo Quality and Relevance – 20%

•    Overall Impact – 10%

7) Prizes

The winners’ gift certificates (GCs) shall be couriered to any valid address in the Philippines:

• First Prize – P2000 P3000 worth of Magnolia Ice Cream GCs
• Second Prize – P1500 P2000 worth of Magnolia Ice Cream GCs
• Third Prize – P1000 P1500 worth of Magnolia Ice Cream GCs

Magnolia Ice Cream Flavors

Your Filipino Christmas festivities are not complete without Magnolia Ice Cream in the table. Try one or all  of the three limited edition variants (Vanilla Praline, Caramel Cheesecake, Apple Strudel) today!

Today, Starbucks marks its 13th year of presence in the Philippines. Its first branch of Starbucks in the Philippines opened December 4, 1997 at 6750 Ayala Building in Makati City.

The 1997 opening of Starbucks in the Philippines was significant as it became the third market to open outside of  North America.

The Starbucks experience has since spread throughout the Philippines. In fact, it’s first branch in Mindanao has opened just last month in the province of Cagayan De Oro (CDO).  Starbucks continues to innovate with new concoctions and products such as their latest introduction of the Starbucks VIA Brew instant coffee. They have also released their Starbucks Planner 2011. They are also having the rounds for their Christmas Starbucks Cheers Party around the Philippines.

And as a Starbucks treat to it’s loyal customers, all branches of Starbucks in the Philippines are giving away complimentary cupcakes to it’s first 50 customers in each branch today. Happy Anniversary Starbucks!

It’s NomNom Foodie Club‘s first Christmas together and what most fitting activity to celebrate the holiday but with the traditional Filipino culture of a Christmas Party!

To be held at the first day of the last month of the year, this Christmas foodie party will indeed start the Christmas month symbolically.

Geiser Maclang

The theme of our NomNom Foodie Club Christmas Party is “Sarap ng Pasko,” in recognition of our food and venue sponsor Kraft Eden Cheese‘s Christmas campaign “Sarap ng Pasko.” This was also made possible with the support of GeiserMaclang.

It will be held at the Kraft Eden Cheese Keso de Gallo Christmas Tree area and platform installation in front of Gerry’s Grill and IMAX theater entrance on the first floor of SM Mall of Asia.

In support of this campaign, we would like to encourage you to promote “Sarap ng Pasko” by simply posting in your Facebook walls any and at least one of the following links from November 27– November 30 (specifying that the deadline of voting is Dec 1, 2010):

• http://www.SarapNgPasko.com/
• http://www.SarapNgPasko.com/mechanics
• http://NomNomClub.com/affairs/2010/sarap-ng-pasko-christmas-food/
• http://YummyManila.blogspot.com/2010/09/world-longest-christmas-food.html
• http://www.LetsGoSago.net/2010/09/bauan-batangas-vegeden/
• http://www.SarapNgPasko.com/about

Kraft Eden Cheese's "Sarap Ng Pasko"

In your Faceboook wall, make sure to tag ‘@’ ‘NomNomClub’ or ‘@’ ‘Yummy Manila.’

If you are a blogger, you also have the option to blog about Kraft Eden Cheese’s “Sarap ng Pasko” campaign. Best blog gets a special prize from Kraft Eden during the party.

Soo what are you waiting for NomNom Foodie Club members? Simply email your link/s to admin AT NomNomClub.com with the link of your Facebook wall post and you are automatically registered to the Christmas party. Due to the limited space of the venue, we can only accept the first 50 (out of 100+) NomNom Foodie Club members to submit. You will receive a confirmation email a day after your submission if you are part of the first 50.

Please bring a monito-monita gift worth NOT MORE than P50 for your mystery monito-monita. 🙂

Here is the program flow for the Christmas Party:
0600 p – Registration and Dinner
0630 p – Short Introdution & Game
0700 p – Raffle Set 1 + Word from Kraft Eden Cheese
0730 p – NomNom Club 2010 and Plans for 2011 + Monito- Monita
0800 p – Raffle Set 2 & Closing Ceremonies

Some NomNom Foodie Club members during the 1st Anniversary Celebration at Greenwich SM North

Raffle Prizes would include Christmas Packs and other items
Special Prizes:

• Best Monito-Monita Gift under P51
• Best Christmassy attire/costume that best embodies the theme of “Sarap ng Pasko”
• Best Blog post on Kraft Eden’s “Sarap ng Pasko” campaign.

Summary:
What: “Sarap ng Pasko” NomNom Foodie Club Christmas Party
When: Decemeber 01, 2010 (Wednesday)
Where: SM mall of Asia – Kraft Eden Cheese Christmas Tree area & platform (near Gerry’s Grill & Starbucks MOA)

Requirements:

• FB wall post for “Sarap ng Pasko” campaign AND P50 Monito-Monita Gift.
• Email your links to admin@NomNomClub.com. This serves as your official registration for the party llimited to first 50 members.

Sarap Ng Pasko

Merry Christmas indeed! See you soon at the NomNom Foodie Club Christmas Party with Kraft Eden Cheese‘s “Sarap Ng Pasko.”

I would like to share a ‘cheesy‘ experience last month. Literally, there was an overload of cheese at the California Butter and Cheese Training Seminar with Chef Robert Jorin (CMB) from the Culinary Institute of America‘s Baking & Pastry Arts Certificate Program.

Monterey Jack and Jalapeno Jack

In line of promoting California Milk Advisory Board‘s marks “Real California Cheese” and “Real Califonia Milk,” we had a crash-course in butter and cheese appreciation at the Edsa Shangri-la Hotel in Makati together with other lifestyle and food-related media personnel.

Chef Robert Jorin (CMB) of Culinary Institute of America

Explained one by one, we had mozzarella, Monterey Jack, Jalapeno Jack, sour cream, mascarpone, ricotta cheese, and unsalted butter, among others.

Following the ingredients in their bare form are its by-products sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, buttermilk, manufacturing cream, homogenized milk and the sinfully-sweet milk caramel dulce leche. I realized that I never knew how Dulce de leche are made, until that day, and how simple but delicately complicated it can be. 🙂

Unsalted Butter

Participating California brands include Mozzarella Fresca, Crystal unsalted butter, California Farms, Berkeley Farms, and California Sunshine. All “Real California Milk” certified.

Of course, we had to try out some creations by Chef Robert Jorin whom he himself prepared. These include Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Raspberry mirror glaze, Pepper Jack & Olive Rolls, Cream Scones with Cheddar Cheese & Green Onions, Mascarpone Chocolate Swirl Cheese cake and Cheese cake with sour cream topping and strawberry on top.

California Butter and Cheese Training Seminar

I had to refrain from eating any food or dish with any form of cheese for two days after this event. (lol)! It was a great and educational experience nonetheless.

Cheesecake with Sour Cream Topping and Mascarpone Chocolate Swirl Cheesecake

Tiramisu on Glass w/ cream on top

Hats-off to the California Milk Advisory Board and cheese & milk expert Chef Robert Jorin of the Culinary Institute of America. Check their recipes at http://www.realcaliforniamilk.com/. For more information, you may contact Ms. Reji Retugal-Onal at 534-8534 or email rronal@synergyasia.biz.

Goodles Noodles & Mercato Centrale

Goodles Anniversary Promo

Goodles is celebrating its 1st anniversary on November 24, 2010 and they are sharing an anniversary promotion. From 11am to 9pm, three (3) of Goodles’ best selling pasta tubs will be sold for P100 only during various times. (see photo below for details).

Goodles Anniversary Promo - P100 Noodles

Check their online pages as well at facebook.com/ilovegoodles and ilovegoodles.com .

Mercato Centrale

We have the market-style foodie destinations Salcedo Market (Saturdays) and Legaspi Market (Sundays) both in Makati City. While on the other prime business district of Ortigas in Pasig, is Banchetto.

And then there will be Mercato Centrale – Bonifacio Global City’s answer to the weekend’s demand for great meals and food adventures. nomnomnom…

“Inspired by the outdoor markets of Mercato Centrale in Florence and the Boroughs Market in London, Mercato Centrale at Bonifacio Global City is an innovative weekend lifestyle market with unique, great tasting food finds that you won’t find anywhere around the metro! Mercato also has an extensive selection of healthy and organic fruits, vegetables and livestock, all located in a clean, comfortable, well-ventilated and organized setting.” – http://www.mercatocentrale.ph/

Mercato Centrale BGC

They start tomorrow – November 21 – at the corner of 30th st. and 9th avenue in Bonifacio Global City from 6am to 12nn. See you at Mercato Centrale at about 9am! 🙂

It’s 40 days before Christmas, and the nights are getting longer and colder here in the Philippines. The Starbucks Planner 2011 was introduced about two weeks ago at the Starbucks Christmas Cheers Party with the theme Stories are Gifts, Share,” held at 6750 in Makati City.

As the 8th of the Limited Edition Starbucks Coffee Planner in the Philippines, it was an instant hit as the customers started to fill their cards with stickers to avail of the free Starbucks Coffee Planner 2011 soon.

Cool Clean Stainless Steel

This Year’s Theme

This year, they are available in three (3) cover variants with each cover representing elements found in Starbucks stores; from Maroon Velvet Fabric, Cool Clean Stainless Steel and Stained Dark Wood Panels.

What’s Inside

Every month features a Philippine Starbucks store for their uniqueness and relevance to their community. The 14-month planner which extends from December 2010 to January 2012 highlights fourteen (14) Starbucks stores, giving customers a further feel of Starbucks as their third place.

How To Get One

Starbucks customers can get the Starbucks Christmas traditions planner promo card at the beginning of the Starbucks Christmas last November 3. One sticker will be given for each Starbucks beverage purchased. It only takes seventeen (17) stickers to bring home the coolest Starbucks planner ever. Customers need to accumulate nine (9) stickers from the Christmas beverage returning favorites; Peppermint Mocha, Praline Mocha and Toffee Nut Latte plus eight (8) stickers for core handcrafted beverages. Purchase of the Starbucks VIA Ready Brew 3-pack booklet can also earn customers one (1) sticker while the Starbucks VIA Ready Brew box of 12 will earn customers two (3) stickers.

Maroon Velvet Fabric

Moreover, every redemption comes with a donation to SparkHope – Starbucks flagship program for early childhood care and development in partnership with UNICEF.

Hovw To Get One from NomNom Club

It’s easy! You have two chances of winning by joining either the “Share Your Christmas Story Write-Up Contest” or the “Share Your Christmas Photo”.

Stained Dark Wood Panels

Share Your Christmas Story Write-Up Contest Mechanics (For the Writer In You)

1. Write and share a story in your blog with the theme of “Sharing this Christmas Season”
   — Your story should be within the length of 150 words to 350 words only.
   — Either in the first or last paragraph, your story should mention the set of words “pinoy food recipes” which links to  “http://NomNomClub.com”.
2. Post about this contest in your Facebook wall with
   — A link of this blogpost ( https://nomnomclub.com/others/2010/starbucks-planner-2011-contest-win/)  and
   —  A tag of ‘@NomNom Club‘ Facebook Fanpage. Type “@” so your wall post will appear on NomNomClub FB page ( http://www.facebook.com/NomNomClub ).
   —  Make sure your FB share setting is for “Everyone“
3. One entry per person only.
4. Post the link of your blogpost on the comment section below.
5. Criteria
   * Creativity of Story – 25%
   * Awesomeness / Impact – 20%
   * Originality – 20%
   * Relevance to  Theme – 20%
   * Grammar and Technicalities – 15%

Share Your Christmas Photo Mechanics (for the social media celebrity in you) 🙂

1. Post any of your Christmas photo at Share Your Christmas Photo with NomNomClub.com (NomNom Club album) in Facebook.
2. Post about this contest in your Facebook wall with
   — a link of this blog post ( https://nomnomclub.com/others/2010/starbucks-planner-2011-contest-win/ )  and
   — Make sure your FB share setting is for “Everyone“
3. Photo should be captioned with “Two Starbucks Planner 2011 Contest – Join & Win! Click https://nomnomclub.com/others/2010/starbucks-planner-2011-contest-win/” Check this example.
4. The FB Photo entry with the most number of comments by December 15, 2010 wins.
5. One entry per person only. Fictitious FB accounts will be disqualified.
6. This last one is not required, but if you do this, you get an automatic +5 comment points: participants should place a relevant comment  in this article – http://DigitalManila.blogspot.com/2010/11/samsung-nf-sf-qx-notebook-series.html. Place the link of your comment (of the Digital Manila article ) as the first comment of your photo entry in FB. To get the URL link of your Digital Manila comment, simply click on the ‘time link‘ beside your name.

How to get the URL link of your Digital Manila comment

Other Notes:

• Contest Duration will start November 15 and end December 15, 2010. Winners will be announced December 19, 2010 in this blog as a blogpost.
• Winners in both contests can choose which of the three Starbucks Planner variants they want from the Maroon Velvet Fabric,  Cool Clean Stainless Steel, and Stained Stained Dark Wood Panels.
• Prizes will be couriered to anywhere in the Philippines with a valid address.
• Participants can join both contests and win independently.
• Winners will be contacted in their blog (for the story contest) and sent a personal message in their FB account (for the photo contest) and have until Dec 31, 2010 to acknowledge and respond. Otherwise, the prize will be given to the winning entry next in line.

Starbucks Planner 2011

Get ahead of the game and start joining now! Get the chance to win one, or two, Starbucks Planner 2011! Have a NomNom Starbucks Christmas!