Bay hotel offers live culinary studio for business functions

MANILA, Philippines—It is one of the few five star hotels that boast a magnificent view of the famed Manila Bay sunset.

With a good number of international hotel franchises in the country, Diamond Hotel is in a unique situation to be remembered as a Filipino brand. While unknown to many, Ramon Ang of the San Miguel group of companies is also chair of Philippine Diamond Hotel & Resort Inc.

DIAMOND Hotel’s Executive Pasty Chef Daniel Back demonstrated how to make a few sweets at Constellation’s culinary studio.

During Saturdays of this summer, kids flock to the hotel’s top floor to attend free cooking and dance lessons, as part of the weekend activities offered to those who avail of the hotel’s summer package amounting to P6,800 net a night.

The venue called “Constellation,” primarily intended for corporate functions of up to 200 persons, is composed of eight function rooms that include a boardroom and culinary studio. First time visitors discover the unique potentials of having a professional chef cook in front of the guests—an idea that changes the stale image of hotel function rooms.

Executives are given the option of bringing their own chef or using the hotel chef. For a consumable amount of P30,000++, the live kitchen can be used to service 20 guests. An additional P5,000++ is added for the use of the hotel chef.

A LIVE kitchen inside the boardroom or function room is a new idea worth considering. Photos by Ma. Esther Salcedo-Posadas

According to manager Cecil Bernabe-Abundo, facilities are newly renovated as the hotel undergoes major transformation. She has been with the company for the last 18 years and has witnessed how they have evolved from a Japanese-owned entity into becoming a Filipino brand. She explains that recent changes have always focused on providing that Diamond Hotel service which includes a personalized and hands-on approach toward guests. She adds, “Diamond Hotel has an impeccable view of Manila Bay aside from the friendly service that you can expect.”

CATCH the famous Manila bay sunset at Diamond Hotel. Photos by Ma. Esther Salcedo-Posadas

Overlooking the still waters of the bay, the hotel reminds of a previous trip to a luxury hotel in Mumbai. It is a world within itself where a certain level of perfection is desired. While a big contrast to the world outside, the Diamond Hotel experience is also a testament to the world-class quality that Filipino brands can achieve. One simply hopes that the seed grows around the greater community.

Historical footnote: The renowned “Battle of Manila Bay” was fought on 1 May 1898. Filipinos and Americans alike worked together to fight the Spanish who were the reigning colonial power at that time. The Americans eventually gained control of the city. Initially, they only went to the Philippines to destroy the Spanish fleet, but after further thought, they decided to colonize and thus, started a bloody war with Filipinos whose independence was granted in 1946. Nowadays, the bay area reveals very little of that turbulent time in history but that moment still deserves to be remembered.

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