June once again hits this year, and what else gives a greater hit than the Brothers Burger team and their flame-grilled burgers, amazing gourmet sides in a perfect upbeat friendly environment. Brothers has been increasing its reach now with new dishes from the Jack-O Burgers, Smash Brothers Burgers, and the recently added Brothers Veggie Burgers. New Burgers will keep on coming but one thing that never changes is the quality of service that Brothers always strives for. With Brothers Burger hitting 23 years of quality Burger service, it’s time to celebrate again the best way Brothers knows how, with flame-grilled Burgers for all.
Sprouting up in 1999, Brothers Burger was a resto created by 3 Jose Brothers. DJ, Martin and Quito, who envisioned their burger experiences while they studied abroad. They wanted to bring to the Philippines burgers that had a different experience to offer, a more gourmet experience. Brothers Burger was the first to offer an everyday type burger with numerous types of blends, from blue cheese, cream cheese or ranchero flavors, anything to really please the taste buds of any type of FIlipino. “It feels like a child we nourished for so many years together with my brothers and Raffy Villavicencio and Alec Villavicencio, we are proud to open 32 Brothers Burger branches and hoping to open more.
“I feel excited that we’ve been here for 23 years, and I’m very proud that my recipe has never changed. It’s a testament of how good our Burgers really are.” says Chef Quito Jose. Brothers has always used their signature blend, and has been remixed with all these amazing flavors like the Ranchero Burger or Blues Brothers Burger. These flavors continue to provide the people choices on what could really fill their burger cravings.
And with all the history Brothers Burger has made, they wanted to celebrate their 23rd anniversary with a new promo that’ll get some people hungry for some BB specials. Until July 31, Brothers will be offering a special 2 for 3 Brothers Burger promo. Not just that, for every purchase of a Brothers Burger meal, you have a chance of winning a special Brothers Burger streetwear shirt! Perfect to show your love to the homemade brand.
Marriott Hotel Manila’s all-day dining restaurant Marriott Café recently launched a new dinner buffet with an exciting selection that goes beyond the usual cuts. “Nose To Tail” is a celebration of flavors that highlights the whole hog from the innards to the extremities.
More than innovation, it is Manila Marriott’s chefs’ tribute to product sustainability. “We wanted to introduce something new to our guests, make interesting dishes out of the lesser-known cuts while helping minimize waste of meat products” says Marriott Manila Hotel Executive Chef Meik Brammer, chair of the sustainable culinary committee of I Love Earth—a concerted initiative of all hotels and operating units within Resorts World Manila toward sustainable operations.
Guests who would like to try their new dinner buffet can dine in on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and enjoy whole roasted pig, crispy pork tail croquettes, German roast pork hock, pork sisig carbonara—a medley of pork face, ears, shoulder, liver, and brain, pork tongue teppan, pork knuckle chowder, pork diniguan paired with a bottle of Crazy Carabao Craft Beer. Mud crab, whole red snapper, salmon and tuna sashimi, dim sum, a wide selection of desserts, and gelato are also offered in the buffet spread for diners to indulge in.
Marriott Café’s Nose To Tail buffet is available from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m for P3,188 nett. For inquiries and reservations, call 0917 584 9560 or visit the website, and social media accounts on FB, IG, and Twitter @ManilaMarriott. Be updated and join their Viber Community at Make it Marriott.
The Jollibee Group welcomed Yoshinoya International executives in a Partnership Ceremony on June 25 to celebrate their collaboration that will bring the authentic Yoshinoya Japan beef bowl experience to the Philippines.
Yoshinoya, Japan’s world-famous Beef Bowl Chain, is the first foray into Japanese food by the Jollibee Group. Jollibee Foods Corporation formed a joint venture with Yoshinoya International Philippines Inc. (“Yoshinoya International”) to operate the Yoshinoya stores in the country, with plans to expand to 50 stores in the long term.
The Yoshinoya International executives who attended the private ceremony were Tetsuya Naruse, CEO of Asia Yoshinoya International Sdn Bhd (“Asia Yoshinoya”); Shigekazu Miyata, President of Yoshinoya International; and Shigeo Kurokawa, Director of Yoshinoya International.
Asia Yoshinoya CEO Tetsuya Naruse hailed its partnership with the Jollibee Group during the partnership ceremony. “In the history of Yoshinoya, I can say that we have never encountered a company such as yours. I’ve met the best partners that we could work with and I’m really looking forward to this partnership.”
“We would like to thank Yoshinoya International for partnering with Jollibee Group. Together, under Yoshinoya Jollibee Foods Inc., we will grow and expand Yoshinoya in the Philippines, and we will work hard to make it the No. 1 Japanese restaurant in the country,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, President for Philippine Business of the Jollibee Group.
In a disclosure released in February 2021, the Jollibee Group said it aims to be the leading market developer of foreign restaurant brands in the country, as these foreign franchised brands are expected to contribute to the sustainable growth of its domestic business. Jollibee Group continues to see the success of brands like Burger King, Panda Express, and PHO24 and will apply the same success drivers in expanding Yoshinoya.
Partnership for success
Like the humble beginnings of the Jollibee Group, Yoshinoya started as a family-run shop located at Nihonbashi Fish Market in Tokyo. Today, Yoshinoya has more than 2,000 global locations.
“Our dreams to make it big one day in our respective markets have driven Yoshinoya and the Jollibee Group to continuously work hard and always strive for excellence,” said Tanbuntiong. “With similar values and a true love for great tasting food, we see a strong foundation for success in this partnership.”
“I met Jollibee Group Founder and Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, and after our conversation, I concluded that there is no other company that we would like to do this partnership with. And although some years have passed since then, we have reached this moment today and it’s all thanks to all your efforts,” added Naruse.
“Part of who we are in Yoshinoya Holdings is being ‘For the People,’ which means reaching as many people as possible with our tasty and value-for-money food—this is also what the Jollibee Group is all about. I look forward to working well together and I commit that we in Yoshinoya will give our full support to the Jollibee Group,” he added.
Now ready to serve the same superior tasting and authentic Japanese Beef Bowls, Yoshinoya is set for its grand opening slated this July.
At 8Cuts it’s our sworn duty to dish out on the good stuff, and now, we’ve made it even easier for you to round up the gang for that next mouth-watering jam sesh. Starting June 24, 8Cuts is serving its all-new 8Cuts Groupies, which are sets for four made up of your 8Cuts faves. Are you ready to see all of your groupie dreams come true? Whether you’re a bunch of burger lovers or rice eaters, 8Cuts has got an awesome foursome waiting for you.
Groupie #1, The Gate Crashers, is for fans of 8Cuts’ greatest hits. It’s a set of four juicy burgers (your choice of The Cheeseburger or The Meathead), plus a bucket of Oh-Rings, Chick Poppers, and four iced teas (priced at P1800); while Groupie #2, The Face Melters, lets you line up any four burgers from the 8Cuts menu, and gives you a bucket of Oh-Rings, Chick Poppers, and four iced teas (priced at P2100). If burgers and wings are your thing, Groupie #3, The Misfits, has got everything you need plus a little extra, giving you 8 Cheeseburger Sliders, plus a dozen Wings, a bucket of Oh-Rings, and four iced teas (Priced at P1850). Finally, Groupie #4, The Chart Toppers, was made for rice eaters and Burger Bomb lovers, and puts together four cheesy Burger Bombs, a bucket of Oh-Rings, Chick Poppers, and four iced teas (Priced at P1850).
Groupie #1, The Gate CrashersGroupie #2, The Face MeltersGroupie #3, The MisfitsGroupie #4, The Chart Toppers
We’re ready to rock if you are—the all-new 8Cuts Groupies will be available for dine-in across all 8Cuts shops and for delivery on momentfood.com, GrabFood, Pick-A-Roo, and foodpanda.
Fans know Max’s Restaurant as the iconic Filipino restaurant chain famous for its Sarap-to-the-Bones® Fried Chicken. But apart from that, it’s also the maker of another crowd favorite, its signature Sizzling Tofu. Now, along comes a new sizzling treat that might just be the next big thing—Sizzling Tofu con Pork Sisig. It’s a delightful combination of the best-selling Max’s Sizzling Tofu and an all-new Crispy Pork Sisig. Fans can now enjoy the creaminess of their favorite tofu dish together with the crispiness of Pinoys’ favorite “pulutan.”
This Sizzling Tofu con Pork Sisig is composed of golden-brown fried diced tofu, a mix of chopped white onions and green chilies, and mouth-watering pork sisig meat. It’s tossed in Max’s Special Sisig Sauce and sprinkled with crispy sisig chicharon to complete a real decadent delight for the palate. With the added crunch and savory flavor, it’s simply hard to resist, and is a perfect way to complete the feast with Max’s Fried Chicken and its other sumptuous local classics.
For anyone who wants to indulge in all-meat sizzling goodness, Max’s is also launching this month its special Sizzling Crispy Pork Sisig. This popular and well-loved Pinoy dish is now made the Max’s way for customers to enjoy during chill-out nights, celebrations, or simple meals with family and friends.
Fans can try Sizzling Tofu con Pork Sisig for only P349 and Sizzling Crispy Pork Sisig for P399 (dine-in) starting June 24. These are also available for dine-in, take-out, and delivery via 888-79000 or delivery.maxschicken.com.
For more information, visit the official Facebook page at @MaxsRestaurant and use the hashtag #MaxsTofuConSisig.
Looking for new eats around the metro? Kong Noodleswill make sure every visit will leave you wanting more — at least that’s how we felt when we visited.
Owned by the same people behind the popular pizza restaurant Crosta Pizzeria, Kong is the newest restaurant in Salcedo Village serving not-so-traditional Asian noodles. Upon entrance, you will be welcomed to a chill and chic atmosphere, and an open kitchen where you can see the noodle masters do their magic.
You’ll see Thai, Malaysian, Balinese, Javanese, and Vietnamese-style food just to name a few when you get a glimpse of their menu. But these dishes are only numbered and do not come with their traditional names. Owner Ingga Cabangon Chua and Chef Gerard D’Ombrille explain that these dishes are those you’ve known growing up, but at the same time aren’t.
What to order at Kong Noodles?
Whether you like flat, round, or thin noodles, there’s something at Kong Noodles that would whet your appetite. It can be a bit overwhelming to see numbers and its description only. Some must-tries are the #5 which is a stir-fried rolled rice noodles, egg, soy & kaffir lime, and the #6 which is a stir-fried noodles, soy, egg, and dragon oil which is a chili oil that’s exclusively made in-house. Both noodle dishes can be paired with your choice of protein — chicken, pork, beef, or prawn, priced from P350 to P500 only.
Apart from the fried noodles, they also have starters like the #1 which is a deep-fried sake soy chicken wings served with nuoc man, and the #3 which is a Szechuan salt and pepper tempura tofu served with nuoc man. They also have noodle soups and rice bowls that are not to be missed.
Kong Noodles is located at 104 HV Dela Costa corner Leviste Street, Makati City. They’re open from Monday to Sunday from 11am to 9pm. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Instagram for exclusive updates and offers.
Starbucks Philippines champions sustainability and digital innovation as they unveil their initiatives for 2022 and beyond. In a media roundtable, the company went in-depth on new digital services and sustainability efforts that help give back to the planet, while enhancing its customer experience.
Starbucks Sustainability Commitment Environment
“We are very excited to be introducing these new initiatives for sustainability and digital innovation. Through these efforts, we can connect with our customers better, and focus on the well-being of our planet to create a better shared future,” said Jamie Silva, Senior Manager for Marketing, Digital Customer Experience & Loyalty at Starbucks Philippines.
Connecting Starbucks Rewards with Grab and Lazada
It’s important for the company to make earning rewards as easy for customers as possible and connecting to Grab and Lazada is a powerful tool for Starbucks Philippines because of how easily it fits into its customers’ daily lives.
Starting June 23, a seamless integration with Starbucks Rewards will allow customers to earn 1 Star for every Php40 spent on Starbucks orders. Every 100 Stars collected converts to a free Starbucks beverage or food reward, redeemable in stores.
Gifting Made Easy
The company’s integration with GLife and GrabGifts is a key next step as Starbucks Philippines innovates in social digital gifting, providing a greater connection and convenience for all its customers.
eGifting is now available through GrabGift and GLife, allowing customers to digitally send Starbucks favorites to their loved ones. Starbucks eGifts can be purchased starting at Php 100 on GrabGifts and Php 300 on GLife. eGifts from GLife can be used to pay in Starbucks stores while eGifts from GrabGifts can be used to purchase orders from Starbucks on GrabFood.
Starbucks FoodShare Program
Last March, Starbucks FoodShare launched in the Philippines starting with 40 stores in Metro Manila. Through Starbucks’ ongoing partnership with Grab, participating stores can connect with Grab drivers to pick up and deliver food donations daily. The donations are donated to Philippine Food Bank Foundation, a local non-profit organization, to be distributed to select beneficiaries within Metro Manila daily.
To date, the program has served over 50,000 meals from more than 200 stores. The company’s goal is to continuously expand the program to more stores outside Metro Manila and serve more communities.
Global Community Impact Grants
The Starbucks Foundation commits a $30 million investment in the Global Community Impact Grants by 2030. These grants aim to support programs that create meaningful impact, both locally and regionally.
For Starbucks Philippines, a total of $70,000 in grants have been awarded to Gawad Kalinga, HOUSE Foundation, and Teach for the Philippines. These grants will be directed to hunger relief and youth development programs from 2nd half of 2022 to 1st half of 2023.
“We’re very grateful for the continued support our customers and media partners have given Starbucks Philippines. As we introduce more initiatives to enhance the Starbucks Experience, I look forward to collaboratively creating a better future for all,” said Noey Lopez, President & CEO of Starbucks
Armed with a firm belief that a sustainable future is a better future, City of Dreams Manila steps up its strategies to meet sustainability targets by 2030 aligned with the goal of its parent company Melco Resorts & Entertainment (Melco). Despite the challenges brought by the pandemic, the integrated resort has persisted in undertaking projects anchored on its core values of service to colleagues, guests, the community, and the environment.
The company’s sustainability strategy led by Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho dubbed “Above and Beyond” outlines ambitious goals including carbon-neutral resorts and zero-waste resorts by 2030. In adherence, City of Dreams Manila’s sustainability endeavors are focused on the environment (renewable energy, energy efficiency, zero waste initiatives, reduction in water consumption, recycling, digitalization of processes, sustainable gardening or organic urban farming; economy (sustainable sourcing and support to local small and medium enterprises) and social responsibility (looking after colleagues’ welfare, workforce diversity and training, and extending a helping hand to communities needing of aid through community development and volunteerism programs).
City of Dreams Manila Property President Geoff Andres said, “We are committed to seamlessly integrating sustainability in our guests’ experience whether it be in our restaurants, in our hotel rooms, even in our gaming and entertainment facilities. Inspired by the “Above and Beyond” ethos, we will continue to progress further with our green undertakings and soldier on contributing to a more sustainable future.”
A testament to the resort’s commitment to sustainability is the 2022-2024 ASEAN Green Hotel Award presented to the three luxury hotels on the property – Nüwa Manila, Nobu Hotel, and Hyatt Regency Manila – for their environment-friendly principles that include resource consumption reduction and local community involvement. Melco has also been recognized at the 2019 Sustainable Business Awards (SBA) in the Philippines for its talent development program for its workforce in both Manila and Macau, as well as its energy efficiency efforts to tackle climate change at City of Dreams Manila.
Environment
Renewable Energy. Since its opening, City of Dreams Manila has been initiating corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and efforts geared towards environmental protection. This advocacy further intensified in 2019, with the launch of Melco’s global “Above and Beyond” sustainability strategy, as City of Dreams Manila initiated harnessing of renewable energy with the installation of 3,120 PV solar panels on the topmost floor of its parking building. Being the first integrated resort in the country to utilize solar solutions, the property’s solar panels have been fully operational since the beginning of 2020 and can generate 1.2MWh at full capacity. On an annual basis, the panels can generate over 1,600 MWh, which is equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed by close to 19,000 tree seedlings grown for 10 years or charging over 139 million smartphones in a year.
Reducing water consumption. In reducing water consumption, treated greywater is being reused in the property’s cooling towers. Filtered and monitored to ensure that water quality meets the required health standards, the reused wastewater is estimated to save about 88 Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of water or about 219,000 m3 annually, when business is back to normal, saving the same amount of water from the city’s supply. Looking for more ways to reduce water consumption, the property’s laundry wastewater is also being reused for toilet flush in employees’ locker rooms.
Elimination of single-use plastic. With Melco as a signatory to the Global Tourism Plastic Initiative, led by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UN Environment, City of Dreams Manila continuously addresses the elimination of problematic plastic. Since 2020, the property has reported a substantial reduction of plastic waste through the replacement of non-biodegradable materials with sustainable alternatives including the use of bagasse packaging materials for take-away boxes, and resealable paper pouches for chocolates, the use of cardboard boxes replacing acetate boxes, greaseproof paper for sandwiches, among others.
Single-use plastic bottled water in all gaming areas has been eliminated, and small toiletry amenity bottles in hotel rooms are replaced with reusable, refillable, and convenient pump bottles.
Onsite water filtration plant. To bolster this initiative, the resort has installed an onsite water filtration plant and a bottling system with NORDAQ. This is projected to result in the elimination of 11,000 single-use plastic bottles from hotel rooms per day, equivalent to more than 4 million single-use plastic bottles per year.
Other programs. To lower the property’s environmental impact, various initiatives include reduction of food waste through an on-site vermicomposting system; growing and using of own herbs and spices at the property’s herb garden; recycling of used coffee capsules with Nespresso, partnerships with non-government organizations that collect recyclable plastics; elimination of soap waste through its “Soap for Hope” program; implementation of food waste programs with the deployment of Winnow system, an AI technology that aims to reduce plate waste and overproduction of food served at the employee’s cafeteria; recycling of used kitchen oil from F&B outlets, to be used as biofuel; and digitalization of products and services such as the use of the Melco app for guests’ convenience in the hotel and/or restaurant bookings; among other endeavors.
Economy
An executive team under the direction of City of Dreams Manila Property President Geoff Andres (center) drives the resort’s sustainability initiatives, from left: Director of Engineering Paul Bruce, Director of Hotel Operations Kent Lee, Kaizen Site Leader Bernie Matubis, Director of Supply Chain Fulya Oguz, Director for Food and Beverage Operations Chad Ogden and Executive Chef Markus Tauwald.
The resort also practices sustainable sourcing, with 86% of its procurement consisting of local products in support of social, ethical, and environmentally responsible local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the country. It adopts a holistic and sustainable coffee program for which it partners with local coffee farmers through the Philippine Coffee Board Inc; procures rice that is 100% chemical-free and 100% traceable – from grain sourcing to planting and processing – from the fertile farmlands of Alangalang, Leyte through its partnership with Chen Yi Agventures, a fully integrated and sustainable rice business behind the brand Dalisay Rice otherwise known as Renucci Rice; sources fresh vegetable produce grown in hydroponics from Aba Pardes Agritech Corporation; and purchases responsibly-sourced seafood from local fisheries and farms through sustainable seafood companies such as Meliomar and SeaTraceability, Inc., whose business practices align with the integrated resort’s vision to contribute in the preservation of marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of communities that depend on them. Digitizing the supply chain was also prioritized with the implementation of a new P2P (purchase to pay) procurement system, allowing the property to achieve supply chain sustainability targets, such as going paperless in receiving and warehouse processes, among others.
One of City of Dreams Manila’s most recent sustainable initiatives is switching to a 100% use of cage-free eggs across all its restaurants. Cage-free eggs are known to be more food-safe, of higher quality, and at the same time, more humane to animals. The first among the integrated resorts in the country to fully adopt the initiative, the commitment was made possible through partnering with Lever Foundation, an international animal welfare non-profit organization that helps leading food companies in the Philippines and across the Asia Pacific Region in upgrading their protein sourcing for a more humane, safe and sustainable supply chain, with a particular focus on cage-free eggs. Currently, the property sources cage-free eggs from Bounty Fresh Eggs, one of the largest egg producers in the country.
To bolster the property’s sustainability programs and in recognition of the importance of each colleague’s participation in the success of the property’s initiatives, City of Dreams Manila formed a sustainability committee composed of colleagues from different departments to initiate sustainability projects. Training for new hired colleagues to engage them on Melco’s sustainability programs, goals, and initiatives are regularly implemented to promote awareness and drive employee responsibility. Employee surveys are also conducted annually to help the management improve its undertakings.
As businesses continue to navigate the uncertainties resulting from the pandemic, City of Dreams Manila continues to align its green activities with Melco’s “Above and Beyond“ sustainability strategy, firmly set on taking positive strides towards a more sustainable future by being a force of good not only in the tourism industry but for the people and the planet.
Hilton Manila recently announced the appointment of Ryan Hong as its new Executive Chef. In his new role, Chef Ryan will be responsible for the culinary operations of the hotel’s dining outlets: Kusina Sea Kitchens, Hua Yuan Brasserie Chinoise, Madison, and Port Bar, as well as its in-room dining services. Chef Ryan will also oversee the hotel’s banquets and catering including weddings and corporate events.
“We are delighted to welcome Chef Ryan at Hilton Manila where his dedication to his craft, positivity, and over 15 years of experience are a welcome addition to our team,” shares John Lucas, hotel general manager, adding, “We are optimistic as we venture forward and upward in a reenergized market that is hungry for new and exciting culinary experiences.”
Chef Ryan will be at the forefront of Kusina Sea Kitchens, the hotel’s famed all-day dining restaurant known for its Marketplace or Dampa-style offerings highlighted by sustainably-sourced seafood, premium meats and seasonal produce. The restaurant serves a rich ensemble of Filipino gourmet favorites seamlessly blended with recipes from all over the world.
“I am excited to be a part of Hilton Manila and share my knowledge of the kitchen and hospitality industry with the team,” said Chef Ryan, adding, “I look forward to treating our guests to dishes that they have come to love at our restaurants, while also introducing new and fresh flavors.”
A Korean-Australian native, Chef Ryan has over 15 years of culinary experience where he has consistently worked and championed the kitchen teams of several hotels in Australia, South and South East Asia including tours in Jeju, Bangladesh, Phuket, and Sydney, to name a few. Chef Ryan has also received several accolades including ‘Hotel Chef of the Year 2015,’ ‘Metro Restaurant of the Year 2015,’ and Finalist for ‘Chef of the Year 2016’ in both Tourism Accommodation Australia and the Hotel Management Magazine.
Hilton Manila is part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 18 world-class brands. Members who book directly through Hilton’s direct channels have access to instant benefits, including a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Hilton Honors Points and cash to book a stay, free standard Wi-Fi and exclusive discounts. Members also get to enjoy popular digital tools available only through the industry-leading Hilton Honors mobile app, where they can check-in, choose their room and access amenities using the Digital Key.
For inquiries and reservations, visit www.hiltonmanila.com or call +632 239 7788. Follow Hilton Manila (@hiltonmanila) on Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube for more information and updates.
Whether it’s a day spent at the shore, a quick surf or an adventure surrounded by nature, there is truly nothing more comforting than creating memories under the sun. You know what they say, summer is a state of mind and with J.Co’s limited edition Island Paradise selections, your best summer memories are yet to come.
Quench your thirst with the Iced Peach Smurf, a refreshing drink that bursts with tasty peach blended with butterfly pea flower tea extract which comes in UNO (Php140), DUE (Php155) and TRE Php170. Best paired with the Lemon Breeze donut, get ready to bite into a soft, cream cheese goodness dipped in white chocolate and garnished to perfection with lemon drizzle.
Create your very own summer story with J.Co! For more details, follow J.Co on Facebook and Instagram.
