MANILA - Check out some of the latest news and promos in the local food scene.

These are not endorsed by ABS-CBN News.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AT MARRIOTT

Marriott Hotel Manila celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8 by offering women of any age a 50% discount at its buffet restaurant Marriott Café.

The new discounted rates of this sumptuous treat is P975 for lunch (12 noon to 2:30 p.m.) and P1,075 for dinner (6-10:30 p.m.). It is the best time for “titas dine out,” batch reunions, early gift for moms or wives, or just a time off to embrace how amazing womandhood is.

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DIM SUM SET LUNCH AT MARCO POLO

Marco Polo Ortigas Manila's Lung Hin is showcasing a variety of authentic steamed and deep-fried dishes, for special lunch set menus from March 8 to April 31.

Enjoy steamed dim sum combinations—Vegetarian Dumpling, Pork Siu Mau with Trauffle Sauce, and Shrimp Dumplings with Gold Leaf—together with flavourful Roasted Pork Belly, Baked Barbecue Pork Buns, and Hong Kong Satin Chicken Congee, all for Set Lunch A.

Fried dishes such as Deep-Fried Bean Curd Skin Rolls with Prawn, Deep-Fried Hong Kong Pigeon, Wok-Fried Rice Roll with Fresh Shrimps and Shredded Chicken can also be enjoyed for Set Lunch B, with the steamed favorites, Pork Spare Ribs with Garlic, and Mushroom Buns.

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JHOLAN PENAFIEL COMPETES AT WORLD BARCHAMPS

The Philippines’ Jholan Peñafiel is set to conquer the bartending stage when she competes on March 5-7 at the TGIFridays World Bartender Championship in Dallas, Texas.

Peñafiel, a bartender from TGIFridays Greenbelt, poured, mixed and "flaired" her way to the Asia-Pacific Championship held last year, earning her the right to represent the region in the
international competition.

She will be competing against the best TGIFridays bartenders from the US, Latin America, United Kingdom and Europe for the much-coveted of King (or Queen) of the Bar honor.

Should Peñafiel win at the World Barchamps, she will be the second Filipina to be bestowed the title, after Rizza Umlas, the youngest and the first female to win the Barchamps at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas in 2015.

A male TGFridays bartender, Eric “El Terrible” Martinez, also brought home the world title in 2006.

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HOTEL JEN LAUNCHES SIGNATURE FOOD, DRINKS

Hotel Jen has launched Get.Set.Eat., its signature food and cocktail program across all Hotel Jen properties in Asia Pacific.

“We’re creating signature food and drink items which have big personalities to showcase authenticity and the Jen playful twist,” said Marisa Aranha, vice president of sales and marketing for Hotel Jen.

The quirky offerings include:
• Beer Milkshake: Chocolate ice-cream incorporated with the fun spirit of porter
• Tea Time in Tanglin: Lemon juice with rosemary and peppermint tea infusion
• China Lady: Shōchū and plum wine concoction
• Drinkeat: Lemon and tomato juice mixed with beef stock and vodka
• Pina kale-ADA: Banana, green apple and kale juice mixed with coconut water

The signature food items include:
• Jen’s Signature Burger: Double crispy chicken and parmigiana served on a hot bun
• Char Kway Teow: Fried flat noodles with a Jen twist
• Cheesecake in a Jar: Cheese filling and crackers with blueberry topping (in photo)

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SOFITEL CELEBRATES KOREAN FLAVORS

Spiral’s latest Flavors of the World culinary series takes diners to Korea. Korean master chef Hyeon Cheol Joo from Ibis Styles Ambassador Seoul Yongsan prepares his modern take on
traditional Korean specialties from March 12-17.

Chef Joo elevates the culinary offerings of the Korean atelier with his signature dishes including Bulgogi (sauteed sliced beef
sirloin with mushroom), Grilled Deodeok (native Korean root vegetable) with Red Chili Paste and two kinds of kimchi—Diced Turnip and Fruit Kimchi and Fresh Korean Cabbage Kimchi.

He will also prepare Bibimbap (steamed rice with assorted vegetable in hot stone pot), Seafood-Spring Onion Korean Pancake and Bean Curd-Shrimp Korean Pancake at the live cooking station.

Spiral lunch is set at P2,750 nett (March 12-17) while dinner is set at P3,200 nett (March 12, 13 and 16) and P3,500 nett (March 14-15).

Chef Joo will also hold a cooking demonstration on March 12 at 11:30 a.m. Rate is set at P3,500 nett.

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MOVENPICK CEBU MARKS 70 YEARS WITH 7 SPECIAL DISHES

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts marks its 70th anniversary with a menu of seven popular classics and guest favourites reimagined for the modern palate, inspired by cuisines and gastronomy trends
from around the world.

The promotion is available in restaurants at all Mövenpick properties globally, including Mövenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu in the Philippines, from March 10 to April 20.

The dishes include: Scallops & avocado tartare, a reinvention of Mövenpick’s beef tartare; Salade belle fermière, a lively interpretation of Salade François; Mille feuille saumon & caviar d’olive (in photo), combining smoked salmon, puff pastry and golden olive caviar; Mushrooms and vegetables Zurich-style, a meat-free version of Zurich-style veal that pairs aromatic root vegetables and shiitake mushrooms; Seafood Casimir, a medley of steamed seafood, fish and salicornia (sea asparagus), and an assortment of citrus fillets, paired with wild rice; Bare beef burger Café de Paris, prime beef cut paired with crispy ultra-thin parmesan-dusted fries; and Carrot waffle, a quirky reinterpretation of classic Swiss
carrot cake.

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SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD WEEK

Several hotels and educational institutions in the country will be sponsoring a series of talks, demonstrations, and workshops on sustainable fishing in line with the 3rd Sustainable Seafood Week in the Philippines, which runs until March 15.

Among the topics that will be discussed are environmental sustainability, marine wildlife conservation, seafood preparation and cooking techniques, among others.

For more details on the line up of events and their schedule, visit @sustainableseafoodweekph on Facebook and Instagram.

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SOUTH AFRICAN WINES IN PLANET GRAPES

Planet Grapes is now offering a selection of fine wines imported from South Africa.

Earlier this year, Planet Grapes invited Anthony Budd, wine connoisseur and managing director of Diverse Flavours in South Africa, to talk about the unique flavors of the region's wines at a wine tasting session at Planet Grapes branch in Shangri-La Plaza mall.

Currently, Planet Grapes serves four South African wines including Cederberg Merlot Shiraz 2015, Lion Creek Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2015, Ghost Corner Pinot Noir 2016, and 88 Vineyards Merlot Medium Sweet.

Planet Grapes also sells wines from Australia, New Zealand, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, North America, and South America.

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HEALTH TIPS FROM RAUCH HAPPY DAY ORANGE JUICE

European brand Rauch Happy Day Orange Juice has a few tips to keep your heart healthy everyday:

1. Don’t skip meals and suppress your hunger.
2. Practice mindful eating.
3. Move and stay active.
4. Rest and recover.
5. Strengthen your immune system with Vitamin C.

If you're looking for a good source of Vitamin C, grab a liter of Rauch Happy Day Orange Juice at the grocery store near you. Each pack contains a total of 16 high quality, sun-ripened oranges that give it a zesty and refreshing taste. And what's more, each glass of Rauch Happy Day Orange Juice is enough to meet your body’s required daily dose of Vitamin C.