Gino de Guzman

The next longest and most fun conversation I had with my customers since Kelly Lim was with Gino de Guzman. The most romantic guy that landed The Artist Chef nest. A well-organized date for his very dear friend/girlfriend, Aimee. The couple are both very young and bubbly---they were giggling when they shared me their own love story. They met during college in DLSU and ended up together. After four years in a relationship, they ended it up as good friends instead. But you will see in this blog the efforts of Gino in trying to win the girl's heart.

As the they savor the food I prepared for them

The Bruschetta Platter easily disappeared

The Clam Linguini Pasta with Basil and Tomatoes plus the Grilled Fish Tarragon also didn't survive

Caught in the act while emptying their plates

Their sweet smile while eating the main dish...

...that became even sweeter when they ate the Apple Chocolate Fondue

Sweet and romantic night for the couple

I was impressed and surprised at the same time when Gino asked me if he could bring quartet during the dinner. I sadly said no because I'm afraid that a quartet might not fit the place. But I quickly suggested that a violinist would do. Gino no longer replied. On the day of reservation, a man came ahead of them---the violinist for the night.

We must all have our souvenir photo with the violinist because it's a first and since Gino paid P3,500 bucks for 30 minutes of music from the violinist. We must make most out of it.

Their photo gallery for that night

Gino and Aimee are really so cute and sweet together :-)

Now they are both busy working with their respective careers in HP-Hewlette Packard. Gino's efforts are really amazing; he's really so romantic. I hope things will turn out well soon...

Rhea Guia

The third kapamilya to dine at ARTIST CHEF was Ms. Rhea Guia of ABS-CBN TFC. I can’t help but give Rhea the date she wanted even though someone else already booked it. I gave her the option to start at 5:00pm and finish at 7pm to give way to the next customers Jo Santos and her special friend. Rhea and her boyfriend were celebrating their anniversary on that night. Upon their arrival Rhea kissed and greeted her boyfriend then tears came out her eyes. Awww… I should have captured the moment thru my camera. I was touched and forgot to click my camera.

Photo gallery of Rhea and her boyfriend

Even though the sun was still shining, the place was romantic and intimate

My souvenir photo with them

Thanks Rhea for dinning and for surprising your boyfriend

Jo Santos

Jo is a student from De La Salle University and with her is a good friend since childhood. Jo told me that their friends set them up for dinner, and all the while I thought Jo was the one I was texting with. She also sent the flowers prior to dinner thru her friends and asked me to give it to her friend during dinner as complimentary. It’s quite confusing on my part during the night because I was mixed up on how things turned out. Whatever their relationship is… it’s none of my business. I’m just glad to serve them good food and knowing these people enjoyed their dinner.

My version of Kani Salad with Cream and Kewpie Japanese Mayonnaise

The Almond Brulee

Chicken Kebabs with Corn Fried Rice

The romantic set up

The Gerberas that Jo sent.

Jo and her childhood friend.

Amy Rollera

Maya Navarro

Rare instance that a customer will move her reserved date, so this unexpected dinner slot was taken by a very lucky girl who happens to be the sister of my good friend from college. She is none other than Maya Navarro, younger sister of my dear friend Kytes Navarro whom I haven't seen for ages. Anyway, I have this short story lang about how Maya planned to surprise her boyfriend for his birthday. She asked him to accompany her for an interview on a Sunday somewhere in Makati. She said its on 20th floor, a condo in Malugay St. cor Buendia. When they arrived, Maya was surprised to see that the condo is a low-rise condo with only 5 floors. She still pushed through her plan and you'll see that it turned out well thru the photos below.

Maya was the very first to try the Spanish set meal menu then after her a lot of customers also preferred the same set meal. This is Spanish potato salad.

For dessert they had Crema Catalaña

Maya with her boyfriend...

Photo snippets of the birthday celebration.

Maya works for Wyeth Phils. in Sales Marketing

Happy couple :-)

The souvenir photos I had with the couple

Thanks Maya for dining! Hope you had a great time...

Kelly Lim

One day I suddenly found myself reminiscing my Fine Arts days because of Ms. Kelly Lim. She's a Multi-Media student at College of St. Benilde, School of Design. I was fascinated about the big changes nowadays in terms of different medium in executing designs. All of those medium were computer-based or they are simply program-based. Oh well...8 years ago since I graduated from UST Fine Arts where everything was still manually done. During that time computer rendition was only allowed during my third year. So definitely Kelly is now part of the new era of Fine Arts where everything goes digital.

Here's Kelly with her boyfriend Anton who is also a Multi-Media student at CSB. Since they are both an art-based couple they shared me plenty of stories about their likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, adventures and misadventures about art.

They looked at my painting. They appreciated and analyzed it, just like art students doing in ART APPRECIATION 101.

They both enjoyed participating in the photo session.

Sweet photo snippets of Kelly & Anton after the dinner.

Kelly's being a pure chinese didn't become a hindrance to their relationship eventhough Anton is a filipino. I believe Kelly belongs to the modern and non-traditional chinese clan.

We shared tons of stories. There would have even been more, if the night wasn't so short.

Kelly reminds me of Jodie Santa Maria-Lacson. They have a resemblance... am I right? Thank you so much Kelly and Anton for the long conversation we shared, it's the longest so far... Good luck in your studies and in your relationship.