A hearty brunch inspired by the fresh harvest of vegetables set in a lush garden becomes the stage for another memorable day at the farm...
In yet another unique culinary collaboration, CCA Manila serves up a farm to table inspired brunch at the BGC Community Farm by Urban Farmers PH showcasing shared advocacies linking communities closer together. The sumptuous brunch illustrated how an immersive hands-on experience at the urban farm can help enrich school curriculums providing yet another layer in the development and growth of future culinary professionals. And for the students of CCA Manila, a day at the farm becomes the perfect opportunity to discover and appreciate the farm to table experience.
Fresh from their recent third anniversary celebration (more on my post here at The Good Harvest: Urban Farmers PH Celebrates Milestone Third Anniversary), the BGC Community Farm by Urban Farmers PH at the heart of the bustling commercial and business district is the perfect setting for a meaningful and flavorful farm to table experience.
The collaboration between CCA Manila and Urban Farmers PH highlights how shared advocacies and a common cause creates long-term and meaningful partnerships benefitting both the students of CCA Manila and farming communities led by Urban Farmers PH. And when the pioneer in culinary education teams up with the innovative trailblazer in the urban farm concept, one can expect a bountiful harvest.
Founding chairman of Disciples Escoffier and CCA Manila Culinary Director Philip John Golding initiated the unique collaboration to supplement CCA Manila's culinary curriculum with real and relevant experiences to enhance the personal growth and development of its students. Constant innovation keeps CCA Manila well ahead of its game while keeping in step with the times.
The new CCA Manila campus located in BGC also makes it ideal for even more collaborations in the future (more on the new CCA Manila campus on my post, Size Matters: Sizing Up the New Test Kitchen at CCA BGC from last month).
The one-time only brunch also presents infinite possibilities for your own special events, simply click the links below for inquiries. Assisted by Chef Instructor Rupert Carandang, the students began the prep work for their assigned tasks in a memorable brunch feast. The day's farm to table experience began with a tour of the BGC Community Farm...
...walking through the different patches of vegetables in varying stages of growth. Managed by dedicated teams of volunteers from Urban Farmers PH, the wide and diverse selection of produce at the BGC Community Farm makes it possible to enjoy fresh herbs and vegetables for a real farm to table experience in the city.
The fact that the working sustainable farm is located right smack in the middle of the busy Bonifacio Global City district makes the experience even more amazing, proving that the urban farm concept envisioned by Urban Farmers PH can work (for more on their garden fresh produce, see my post Oasis in the City: The BGC Community Farm by Urban Farmers from early last year).
Seeing patches of lush greens is a welcome change of pace in the gray concrete cityscape of BGC...
...with another fresh harvest soon at the BGC Community Farm. Three years of successful operations proves the business model works.
At the farm to table brunch, insightful demos were held before the feast...
...including how to properly plant herbs and lettuce in pots...
...as well as tips in growing your own urban farm facilitated by volunteers from Urban Farmers PH.
Basic farming principles can be replicated and easily scaled to fit your own tiny spot at home or anywhere, as explained by the team of volunteers at Urban Farmers PH.
That day, the team of volunteers also presented their hydroponics system to complement their traditional farm set-up...
...yielding blooms of fresh herbs and a water tank teeming with live fish with each system complementing the other. The possibilities are endless and inspiring, and you can see it all first hand and up close at the BGC Community Farm.
CCA Manila Diploma in Culinary Arts & Technology student Alexxa Sandrine Sengson then presented her salad demo with many of the ingredients harvested directly from the fertile grounds at the BGC Community Farm...
...with the aptly named Urban Farmers Salad, a refreshing medley of fresh mixed greens, native tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots and jicama drizzled with a rich and tart Honey Lemon dressing.
For students of CCA Manila, it's experiences like this that brings them closer to their culinary dreams while mastering both concept and technique in a real world setting. Experience and exposure are part of the learning process at CCA Manila, complementing theoretical and classroom sessions in molding the next batch of culinary professionals. And yes, maybe even future culinary rock stars adding to the long and growing roster of successful graduates.
For guests at the special brunch by CCA Manila in the BGC Community Farm, the farm to table activity becomes not just another lofty or trendy concept but a real experience completed by the rich flavors from the feast prepared by the students.
Meanwhile, the final touches are added to the sumptuous brunch spread inside The Greenhouse of the BGC Community Farm...
...and brunch is now served.
The lavish brunch feast prepare by CCA Manila takes inspiration from the fresh herbs and vegetables harvested from the BGC Community Farm for a memorable and real farm to table to table dining experience...
...with fresh baked muffins, a creamy and comforting soup course, a refreshing salad for starters, savory mains and dessert.
CCA Manila Chef Instructor Rupert Carandang and his students also prepared a tasty surprise to tease your appetite and palate...
...with crunchy popcorn infused with a rich blend of garden fresh herbs from the BGC Community Farm.
A fragrant buttery aroma tempts you from the fresh baked Corn and Cheese Muffins at the elegant brunch spread...
...while the Salad Station gets you in the proper farm to table groove.
The Urban Farmers Salad with mixed greens, native tomatoes, cucumber, marble potatoes, tender and juicy grilled chicken, carrots and jicama with Honey Lemon dressing opens up the palate with its fresh and clean notes...
...while the vibrant and tart flavors of the Ratatouille proves once more that freshness is flavor with the bold hints of tomatoes tempered by the subtle natural sweetness of farm fresh vegetables.
The Fisher Folks Crab Cake with succulent briny sweet lumps of crab meat served with a side of creamy aioli brings savory notes to the table...
...with one bite bringing you back to the brunch spread for more. The brunch feast prepared by the students of CCA Manila is both lavish yet comforting, and the farm setting at the BGC Community Farm completes the experience.
The Roasted Peasant Chicken with herbs rounds up the Farm to Table Brunch by CCA Manila at the BGC Community Farm, perfectly paired with the Curry Rice Pilaf.
The delicate notes of the tender and juicy roast chicken is further enriched by butter infused with herbs for solid flavors. Masterfully executed, each contrasting note complements the other for that balanced finish.
For dessert, the students of CCA Manila pulls out a nostalgic number with its take on a classic, the Grandma's Pineapple Upside Down Cake with Grand Marnier Coulis for that perfect sweet ending at the BGC Community Farm...
...best paired with a soothing cup of fresh brewed coffee. Brunches are nothing new, but a brunch prepared by young talents chasing their culinary dreams at a unique urban farm is like a perfect script for memories that last.
A day at the farm takes on a fresh new meaning as we all rediscover clean and natural flavors in the most unexpected of places in the middle of Bonifacio Global City.
For the students of CCA Manila, the fruitful day at the farm becomes part of their own journey in their culinary dream as Urban Farmers PH finds yet another ally in a shared advocacy.
The spirit of collaboration brings communities closer, and the end game becomes a real possibility and no longer just another elusive dream. Start your own journey with that first step. All it takes is a day at the farm...
The BGC Community Garden by Urban Farmers PH is located at The Flats grounds corner 5th and 34th Streets, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. You may call 0920 903 0992 or visit their website at https://urbanfarmersph.org/ and FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/urbanfarmersofbelair/ for updates.
CCA Manila is located at the University of the Philippines Campus in BGC, Taguig Cty, 1630, Metro Manila. You can visit their website and FB Page at https://cca-manila.edu.ph/ and https://www.facebook.com/ccamanila/ for more information and updates or call 0960 244 7697 for inquiries.
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