Food Tasting: k by Cunanan

Headed to Ayala Heights (QC) with Mike, Mama, Mommy and Xavier for the food tasting and coordinating last August 26, 2011.

Kar Reyes from k by Cunanan entertained us when we did the reservation/ book last February at Megamall in a Bridal Fair. To be able to book your date, you must pay the reservation fee which is PhP10,000 :)I just emailed Kar to coordinate when the initial food tasting will be. A final mock up food tasting will take place about 3 or 2 months before the wedding, so we agreed to set it around November or December 2011.

The package we got from Cunanan is for PhP740 per head (+10% service charge and +12% VAT), which is roughly around  PhP135,000 for our 150 guestlist.

The package includes:

• 3 hors d' oeuvres
• 2 soup choices
• Salad
• Pasta
• Fish (seafood upgrade)
• Chicken
• Pork or beef
• Rice (carrot and steamed)
• 5 Desserts
• Bottomless raspberry iced tea

Plus, linens, dinnerware, silverware, glassware, tiffany chairs for ALL guests, cocktail tables for cocktail hour, floral and votive centerpieces for ALL tables, platform with backdrop and sofa for photo op with the couple, table numbers/names, place cards and menu cards for the presidential tables and bottle of wine for the toast.We opted out of the cake - as they charge extra 10k for it - and I know I can get a cheaper deal somewhere else.

For the rate we're paying I think it's pretty dope :) (Keep on reading, you'll see the outcome of our wedding in the end. And please do leave a comment)

Ayala Heights in QC

My mama and husband's mommy

Husband's nephew Xavier

I wasn't able to take a photo of the hors d'oeuvres. They sampled us with Crackers with smoked tanigue and horseradish. Weren't able to take a photo of the 2 soup samples - Brocolli and Cheese; and Roasted Corn.

Insalata caprese, orange, walnuts, strawberry vinaigrette

To see our final menu, click THIS link.

Honey Nut Prawns

If you wanna see how our reception ended up looking like, click HERE.

Japanese rolled chicken, cheese and leeks, teriyaki glaze

If you wanna see how the food looked like in our guests' plates, see it HERE.

Mixed seafood pasta, chopped fresh tomatoes, pesto drizzle

For our post-wedding mileage, click HERE.

Roast beef ribs, mashed potato cakes

To see pretty much anything Wedding related, click THIS.

Picatostes with tsokolate and Strawberry Panna Cotta

We were a little disappointed because we could've used more options with the menu, but they said these were their "best-sellers". We're thinking of requesting a different set of menu for the final mock up just to have a comparison.

But it was nice. Fine dining for 5 - free ;p


While the service might seem pricey for some, (we actually got the cheapest package from them) I say splurge on it since it is the only thing that the guests remembers, the food and the table setting. :) Plus, k by Cunanan doesn't just cater, they DESIGN the reception. From the flowers, the set up, the tables, the table numbers, the place cards, etc. They do it - IN STYLE!

If you're planning to take k by Cunanan as your caterer too, I suggest you make sure that Kar de Castro-Reyes deals with you. She's marvelous and so fierce! :) Kar's cellphone number is 09178199466. Their HQ is in Ayala Heights, QC (#15 Emilio Jacinto St., Ayala Heights).

Caterer

I have been looking through caterers. I was originally looking at Ignacio's Catering since they seem to have a good package at a relatively low price. But Hizon's Catering sent me their stress-free wedding package which is tempting. See details:

Amenities: ( 150 guest minimum )
1. A Choice of Menu 
2. Complete floral dress-up of wedding reception area ( gazebo, pillars, etc. ) 
3. Buffet table with attractive centerpieces and elegant skirting following your motif ( Grand waterfalls, Elegant water fountain, etc. )  
4. Satellite Wedding Cake with floral arrangement or three layered fondant wedding cake  
5. Bridal Car ( MB 3 hours use)  
6. Hotel Accommodation  
7. Body Spa Package  
8. Wedding Reception Emcee  
9. A bottle of wine for bridal toast  
10. Floral Centerpiece and candles for each guest’s table  
11. An elegant presidential table with end to end floral arrangement and skirting following your color motif.  
12. Elegant Wooden Signature Frame or Guestbook  
13. Decorated wedding cage with a pair of doves and flower arrangement  
14. Sword Parade or Torch Parade  
15. Tiffany Chairs with ribbons  
16. Tables with floor length embroidered mantel or lace runner  
17. Complete silver wares, glass wares and Flatware  
18. Roll top chaffing dishes  
19. Waiters and food attendants in uniform   
20. Ice for the drinks and purified drinking water  
21. Free food tasting for two persons   
22. Red Carpet  
23. Menu Tags   
+ 10% service charge + 12% Evat 

Wedding Buffet Menu for Lunch and Dinner 
Appetizer : Crispy Spinach with dip 
Soup : Cream of Mushroom Soup 
Salad : Salad Bar ( onions, turnips, lettuce, croutons, bacon bits, kernel corn, tomatoes ) Dressings: Caesars and Thousand Island 

Hot Buffet : ( A Choice of One Per Dish ) 
Fettuccine with Alfredo Sauce / Baked Spaghetti Cheesy Lasagna 
Beef Callos Señorita / Cream Beef w/ Mushrooms / Holiday beef with Olives 
Tempura Fish Fillet with tartar sauce or Lemon Buttered sauce / Grilled Fish w/ our special sauce ( all are cook on the spot ) 
Grilled Chicken Breast ala Pobre / Chicken Theresa / Chicken Alexander / Chicken Barbecue in Hawaiian Sauce 
Buttered Vegetables with kernel corn and Mushroom Buttons 
Steamed Rice 
Dessert : ( Choice of Two ) Buco Pandan w/ Lychee / Fruit Salad / Buco Salad / Assorted Pastries / Halo-Halo Bar 
Drinks : Iced Tea and Soft Drinks (refillable) 
Price: P810.00 + 10% Service Charge + 12% EVAT / per head 

That's a pretty nice package right? I'll be going to their Grand Food Tasting on Sunday to check and negotiate. There are some things in the package that I am not quite interested in and I was looking into having removed for a lower price - like the car (MB is not my idea of a bridal car I already have one in mind too, and I can get it for free), the sword/ torch parade (I don't want shiny, sharp, things or fire near me, I am too clumsy like that, especially with killer heels), the host (since I have friends who can easily do that for me for free) and the bird cage (I am grossed out with pigeons/ doves). I also am not looking into 150 guests, I wanted it to be an intimate affair, looking at 100 guests only, 130 tops. I hope people at Hizon's are flexible. After all, it' my wedding, not theirs.