Isang Araw (One Day) by Chef Sharwin Tee San Francisco
Chef Sharwin is known for the whimsy and humor he incorporates into his food and this menu is a tongue-in-cheek look at a day in the life of a Filipino. Each course is a refashioned take on the everyday dishes enjoyed by working class Filipinos.
First course: Magandang Gising The literal translation is “beautiful awakening,” but the meaning is “what a beautiful way to start my day.” This course is a version of the "silog" meal: bacon tocino, arugula, heirloom rice, strawberry dressing, 6-minute egg.
Second course: Panandaliang Aliw Meaning “entertaining pastime,” this merienda (snack) course is a version of the soupy lomi from Batangas: udon noodles, shrimp, chicken liver pâté, chicharon.
Third course: Sige lang Sige Translating to “keep on going,” this is the lunch course: shredded chicken adobo tacos with green mango salsa and roasted cherry tomato.
Fourth course: Kontra Pagod The dinner course translates to “against tiredness.” This version of pesang isda is a seared fish chowder with ginger, lemongrass and roasted potato.
Fifth course: Pampatanggal Amats This is the hangover cure course: braised veal cheeks, garlic rice and spicy roasted carrots with cinnamon and star anise.
Sixth course: Pasalubong Kay Misis Translating to “a treat for the missus,” this course is a nod to the Filipino guy who comes home to an angry wife after a late night of drinking. Dessert is spicy chocolate leche flan with mangoes, strawberries and whipped cream.
This event is not refundable but tranferrable
A portion of the proceeds from this dinner will benefit AHON (Acts of Hope for the Nation) Foundation. Chef Sharwin Tee aims to contribute to build libraries in public elementary schools in the Philippines.
Known for his quirky and innovative twists on traditional Filipino cuisine, Chef Sharwin graduated with honors from the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts in Vancouver, Canada and has cooked at the prestigious Tower Club in Makati City, Philippines. He is the chef and host of Curiosity Got the Chef, The Philippines’ Lifestyle Network’s first locally-produced cooking show, which has been nominated as Outstanding Lifestyle Program in the Golden Screen Awards for Television and will soon begin its fifth ground-breaking season. The longest-running Filipino cooking show on cable television, it is now also being broadcast in the United States, Canada, Singapore and Australia through the Lifestyle Network on the Filipino Channel and DirectTV. Chef Sharwin has also demonstrated his cooking skills on Umagang Kay Ganda, Modern Living TV, Unang Hirit, Salamat Dok and various radio shows on DZMM Teleradyo.
Filipino Kitchen uses Philippine cuisine to connect Filipinos everywhere with our cultural heritage and the possibilities of our shared future. Based in Chicago, we cook and share our delicious cuisine at popup meals and food events. On our website, Filipino Kitchen documents with photography, interviews, stories, and recipes from the makers and appreciators of Filipino cuisine and its continuing evolution. We hope to lead a long-coming renaissance by connecting across the diaspora with our shared love and pride of our food. The masterminds and masterhearts behind Filipino Kitchen are two Filipino Americans and an honorary Filipino: writer Sarahlynn Pablo, photographer Natalia Roxas-Alvarez, and project manager Caitlin Preminger. Filipino Kitchen is online at http://filipino.kitchen and on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.