Top chefs, hoteliers, and restaurateurs, and gourmets and gourmands gathered at the launch of the 2016 Best Restaurants Guide (BRG) of the Philippine Tatler. The guests. Which numbered nearly 350, celebrated with the selection of the 170 restaurants in the BRG, and eagerly awaited and applauded those that made it to this year’s Top 20 Restaurants. The event, held at Finestra, was co-hosted by Solaire Resort and Casino, in partnership with Citibank and San Miguel Corp. Tatler’s Managing Director Irene Martel Francisco also announced the appointments of the people directly in charge of the BRG: Shauna Jay Popple, Marketing and Special Projects Manager, and Maritess Garcia Reyes, Associate Editor. The BRG is a multi-platform medium—print, online, events—that defines gustatory excellence.

Here are some of the highlights and the guests at the launch event:

Aftab Ahmed, Rajesh Jhingon, Joy Wassmer, Thomas Arasi, Irene Martel Francisco, Mia Borromeo, and Anton San Diego

Representing the Top 20 Restaurants for 2016

Patxi and Sofia Elizalde

Karen Lerma, Grace Baja, Stephanie Chong, and Richie Lerma

Rikki, Beng, and Erik Dee

Adam Laker and Alice Jenkins

Pedro Roxas

Jane Dee and Steven Bullock

Amit Oberoi

Linda Ley and Mario Katigbak

The creativity of the chocolatiers of Solaire Resort and Casino came to the fore with this all-chocolate table

This story was published on the March 2016 issue of Philippine Tatler, now available in all leading book stores and newsstands. Download the digital version from Zinio, Magzter, and PressReader.

Here's an exclusive insider look of what transpired at the launch: