GMA's Food for the Heart Event with Chynna Ortaleza, Ryza Cenon, Benjamin Alvez and Bettinna Carlos
January 16, 2014 - I couldn't believe that a week after my birthday, I would be given a blessing. Guess what? I was just invited to a GMA-organized event entitled Food for the Heart! Whoa!
When I received the invitation through email, I was greatly baffled, and this will be an understatement because my heart skipped and the world stopped for a split second. Now here I am, excited and proud, sharing with you what transpired during this event.
Just to avoid confusion, Food for the Heart is not a TV show of some sort. This is just organized to showcase the cooking/baking talents of GMA 7's celebrities, and to provide support to some of the artists' baking business!
A Not-So-Popular Kid hanging out with the Celebs - Awesome right? |
Food for the Heart featuring Chynna Ortaleza, Ryza Cenon and Bettinna Carlos |
Brief Story of God's Small Miracles
I got extra excited when I found out that I would have an opportunity to be in an event where there are celebrities. Hence, when I looked up the venue in Google Maps (typing Highlands Coffee Quezon City), I hurriedly picked the first one that popped out, which apparently ended up to be the wrong one.
Carpooling my way to the venue, I arrived at 12:30 pm which was way early for a 3:00 pm call time. Thanks to technology and traditional book browsing, I was able to burn 2 hours of supposedly idle and waiting time. Thinking I was early at 2:30 pm, I decided to just burn the remaining minutes in the venue itself. As I entered I realized that there were no stairs leading to the 2nd Floor Balcony.
"Holy Crap... I'm in the wrong branch... wrong venue!" But you know what's worse? Well, it was my first time in QC by myself, and so I didn't know how to go to the correct venue! It was pure blessing that I met good people (e.g. the security guard, the manager of Highlands Coffee, the jeepney drivers and a few passengers) who guided me in my tiresome commute to the venue, and because God is awesome, I arrived there 4 minutes after 3:00 pm --still made it almost on time!
Chynna Ortaleza's Cherry Pizza which was actually a tart-type pasty |
Getting Dumbfounded and Starstruck
Before we get into the food, let me just share with you that even if I don't consider myself someone who goes head over heels with celebrities (maybe just head to waist?), I still found myself amazed by the fact that I was seeing celebrities in person - not just 1 but 4 GMA artists namely Chynna Ortaleza, Ryza Cenon, Benjamin Alvez and Bettinna Carlos.
From left to right: Bettinna Carlos, Benjamin Alvez, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza |
Bettinna Carlos's Baked Bites - Nutella Rock, Red Velvet Brownies and Pecan Cheescake Cup |
I was actually clueless when I arrived at the place. All I knew was we were going to taste some food. Later that afternoon, it was revealed that we were going to taste the goodies the artists baked or cooked themselves!
Bettinna Carlos's Baked Bites Creation
Bettinna Carlos with her Baked Bites Goodies! Photo from GMA Network.com |
Bettinna Carlos' creation called the "Baked Bites" |
- The Nutella Rock - this one features a bland-to-rich flavor that unravels in your mouth
- Red Velvet Brownie - the moist red velvet brownie showcases smooth texture and fantastic frosting!
- Dulce de Leche Pecan Cheesecake Cup - you'll find here diversity of flavors and textures in a cup
I've crafted a separate post for all the three desserts Bettinna Carlos made. You may want to check this out: Baked Bites by Bettinna Carlos - Nutella Rock, Red Velvet Brownie and more!
Note: Bettinna Carlos already started up a business on these desserts called the Baked Bites. For more information, you may want to check out the said separate post.
Ryza Cenon's Bake Goodies and Other Dishes
Let's begin with the sweet stuff Ryza Cenon baked for the event:
- Coconut-Ferrero - this one had a touch of dried shredded coconut meat, visually and tastefully enhanced by the ferrero treat on top
- Cookie Butter Nutella - hmmmm, as far as I can remember, this one brought an indulgence of sweetness and chocolates!
- Red Velvet Whoopie Pie - Ryza's different take of Ryza with these red velvet cupcakes or shall we call them cakewiches?
- Brookies - among Ryza's creations, this is my favorite! The main feature of this heaven-in-a-cup was the creamy yet marshmallowey center! Wait, did you know Brookies is a word-blending from Brownies and Cookies?
Related Post: Speculoos Cookie Butter and Lotus Biscoff Cookie Butter Spread
Ryza's Coconut-Ferrero, Cookie Butter Nutella, Red Velvet Whoopie Pie and Brookies! |
For orders: DM @iamryzacenon on Instagram
Benjamin Alvez and His Sweet Tooth
Food for the Heart was further graced by Benjamin Alvez, aka the boy with a sweet tooth! *haha*
Benjamin Alvez after indulging on the baked creations of Ryza and Bettinna! |
Ryza Cenon's Red Velvet Whoopie Pie |
Trivia: Ryza and Bettinna both learned how to baked by just reading a "book" (yup, the same book which I unfortunately forgot).
Multitude of Brookies - now that is paradise! |
Aside from sweets, Ryza also cooks some savory meals! Check this one out:
Ryza Cenon with some of her cooked dishes! Photo from GMA Network.com |
- Spinach Pizza - this was supposed to be eaten when served, but since Ryza needed to pack it up, it lost that freshness that could have made this special.
- Buffalo Wings - Now, this one got my attention. I just adore the spiciness and the flavor at the same time.
- Lasagna - Hmmm, this Lasagna was not half as bad. Although I found it a little saltier than necessary, this Lasagna has a potential! Way to go Ryza!
Looking for some good Buffalo Wings? Check out B.Wings' Black Mamba
Ryza Cenon's Spinach Pizza, Lasagna and Buffalo Wings |
Chynna Ortaleza showing her love for her best friends' Cookie Butter Nutella |
Food for the Heart - Chynna Ortaleza and Ryza Cenon |
Okay, we are down to the last set - Chynna's creations!
Chynna Ortaleza - taking the challenge of cooking something for the event! Photo from GMA Network.com |
Chynna Ortaleza's Cherry Pizza and Banana Prune Bread in an Adorable Package |
One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." - Virginia Woolf
Great for a first-timer - the Cherry Pizza and Banana Prune Bread of Chynna Ortaleza! |
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C'mon even if you deny it, your pastries tasted so amazing Chynna!
A Day Well Spent
As I near the end of this blog post, I just want to share with you how happy I was after I got home from this event. Finally, I was able to cross out a few of the items in my Bucket List such as meeting and conversing with celebrities, commuting on my own to a not-so-near place and feeling exuberantly happy for the entire week! It was truly and awesome ride, and I want to thank GMA and its Social Media team for this wonderful opportunity and experience!
Here's a snapshot of the food bloggers (which include me) and the celebrities:
Now, check out the apron that I got from GMA. I had it signed by the 4 celebrities!
Unfortunately, I forgot to let them write my name on it. Now, it didn't seem legit enough. Haha! But wait, what if I show you this?
A Day Well Spent
As I near the end of this blog post, I just want to share with you how happy I was after I got home from this event. Finally, I was able to cross out a few of the items in my Bucket List such as meeting and conversing with celebrities, commuting on my own to a not-so-near place and feeling exuberantly happy for the entire week! It was truly and awesome ride, and I want to thank GMA and its Social Media team for this wonderful opportunity and experience!
Here's a snapshot of the food bloggers (which include me) and the celebrities:
With fellow food bloggers and foodie-celebs of GMA Photo from Rina-Barbero Zamora of rinasrainbow.net |
My signed apron and freebies from being part of this awesome event! |
Food for the Heart - Ryzza and Bettinna signing the aprons Photo from GMA Network.com |
Alright, so that's almost everything that transpired during the day, and I would say it's a perfect day well spent! The baked goods were as lovely as the ones who created them! Thanks Chynna, Ryza, Bettinna and Ben!
Follow @gmanetwork in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Also catch the celebs in their instagram account@abettinacarlos, @iamryzacenon, @chynsortaleza, and @benjaminalves
Photo from GMA Network.com |
Wala kang pic with them...
ReplyDeleteSadly, Kuya Thirdy. :(
DeleteI had my prime lens that I borrowed from my friend, so fixed yung zoom. Then, I didn't realize that I could have used my phone. Haha!
Such a cool event! Never knew Bettina had her own business.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was really awesome! And I didn't know as well until I attended the event.
DeleteThanks for dropping by!
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure po! Thanks for the invite!
ReplyDelete