My Travelogue by Ernest Reynoso Gala
Travel and experience are the best teachers especially when it comes to food. Nothing surpasses the moment when you visually see the dish, how it’s presented, to smelling the various spices, to tasting how they all come together to become a perfect meal. I have been to different countries all over the world and learned from different chefs, absorbing their distinct ways of cooking and baking which later on helped formed my own style. Eating local delicacies in restaurants is another way of exposing yourself to good food, opening your eyes and savoring authentic dishes that can only be discovered by travel. Going to where the food was originally made gives one a better understanding and awareness of a country’s cuisine. Knowledge, passion, desire, and talent are the key ingredients to success.
Chance favors the prepared mind and like a good boy scout you should always be prepared. The first step is to plan where you want to go and what is the purpose of your trip. Will it be educational, leisure, your time table and most importantly your budget. For me, I try to make it educational and leisurely. My first two and a half months in Europe was set for formal studies, where I went to Milan and Calabria, Italy to study under Chef John Nocita at the Italian Institute for Advanced Culinary and Pastry Arts where the Italian Culinary team trains. Chef John conducts classes in New York with Mario Batalli and Jacques Torres of Lifestyle channel T.V. fame. I learned the history of Italian cuisine and the importance of using simple but the best ingredients and maximizing its potential. It was in Milan where I tasted the best Risotto Milanese at the Marriot Hotel. I visited the most famous Delicatessen in Milan, named Peck, where the best cheeses, wines, meats, and ingredients from all over Italy are found. Many including Chef John consider it as a culinary institution that has the best collection of Italy’s finest brands. Then I went to Cannes, France to study in Moulin de Mougins, a famous French restaurant owned by Two star Michelin Chef Allain Llorca. A favorite among Hollywood celebrities, Moulin de Mougins plays host to the annual AIDS charity event during the Cannes Film festival. Fortunately I was able to attend the paid internship and take classes in this prestigious restaurant, learning various neo French cuisines. Another establishment that we were able to dine in is La Baoli, an upscale, chic, neo French restaurant along the Cannes coastline overlooking the French Riviera, where each meal is set for 200 euro(without wine or champagne) or 13000 pesos .Next on the itinerary was the famous Ecole Ritz Escoffier, at the Ritz Paris hotel. As part of the school policy I had to stay in the hotel, where Princess Diana was billeted before her tragic death. The experience paved the way to understanding the highest standards in French Culinary and the best that life has to offer, because when you stay at the Ritz you are treated like a king. My classmates wanted to eat at Alain Ducasse’s restaurant but it was booked for two months. The Ritz Concierge was able to sneak in a VIP table and we ordered the best champagne, food, which set us back 18000 pesos each, but it was well worth it. C’est La Vie! The celebration did not end as we then proceeded to the fame Hotel Coste at the lounge bar and drank more Moet et Chandon which set us back another 15000 pesos. I also took the opportunity to have lunch at the Eiffel tower which was an experience because we were over 100 feet above the city and the view of Paris is so majestic you can feel the history. I participated at the Da Vinci Code tour where we viewed important sites such as the Louvre museum (the home of the famous painting Mona Lisa) Notre Dame church, Champs Elysse, just to name a few, and followed the numerous locations written in the book. One afternoon, we took the river cruise around Paris, where we saw plenty beautiful French architecture, displaying the city’s rich culture and diversity. There was also the dinner at Buddha bar where the chill out music was very relaxing. The last leg of my educational trip brought me to Northern France at the Ecole Lenotre, known to be the best pastry school in the world. We stayed at the Domain De Verbois, the late Ayatollah Khomeini of Iran’s home during his one year exile. Staffed by Nepalese Nationals, the food in this Villa is for me the Best in France! The fragrance of Grand Marnier or orange liquor would flow through the air where the nearby factory was located. At Lenotre, I learned the intricacies of baking in general, and how complex procedures are made easy by learning the latest methods and trends. My teacher Chef Vincent Mary, author of four cookbooks, taught me that baking is easier than cooking, as long as you have a strong foundation and proper technique, you will be successful. All my teachers were top notch and confident, none of them conducted classes like what we see on TV’s “Hells Kitchen”.
The second leg is what I call my “leisure trip” where I traveled to Monaco and watched the Grand Prix with Prince Albert and the Royal family in full attendance. The cars were fast, loud, and we had to wear ear plugs. The seats were situated in front of the Pit stop and seeing sports racing icon Michael Schumacher wave to the crowd for his last race in Monaco was such a thrill. Being around Yachts, Rolls Royces, Ferraris, in the most prestigious race in the world definitely made me feel like I was living the “Lifestlyles of the Rich and Famous”. After Monaco we flew to Madrid, three days before our Tour of Spain. Carlo and I visited the Famed Bernabau, home of my favorite soccer team Real Madrid. To tour the stadium, touch the grass, and sit on the bench was a dream come true. Plaza Mayor, known in Madrid to be the center for excellent Spanish food, was a culinary education. From Tapas, paella, sausages, every dish was terrific and reasonably priced. In one restaurant we ate the biggest piece of steak that I had in my whole life, about two inches high, six inches wide, and one foot long! We toured various cities including Barcelona, Valencia( the best paella though our local Paella is better because it’s moist and has a richer flavor), Costa del Sol(best Tapas), Zaragoza, Bilbao, and many more . We then proceeded to the Island of Ibiza, and relaxed for a week and a half, enjoying the beach, partying all night at the hi tech clubs, and seeing the sunset in Café Del Mar being the highlight. From Ibiza we flew to Vienna to start our three week tour of Austria and Switzerland. In Vienna I visited Sacher Hotel, home of the famous dessert, Sacher Cake. Though it was expensive, around 40 euro per slice, it was well worth it because it tantalizes the taste bud with its rich, chocolate icing. Another highlight was the climb to Eagle’s Nest, Hitler’s vacation house high up in the Austrian-German Border, and where I ate the best sausage that I ever had in my whole life! We crossed the border to Switzerland, a country surrounded by France, Austria, Germany, and Italy. Known for Banks and watches, Switzerland’s other commodity is chocolates, and if you haven’t tried you missed half your life. In St. Moritz, the ritziest ski resort, a chocolate shop sells pieces about the size of jack stone balls, with each priced at 20 euros! In the next month and a half, I went to numerous locations, ate, and took down notes of everything that I tried. I made sure that I would try the region’s specialties, go to the best restaurants, and talk to the chefs on how certain dishes were made. All were generous with their expertise and gave me valuable tips.
Carlo Benedicto and I noticed that all over Europe, Asian food was the craze. I was fortunate to study cooking in Thailand and Hong Kong after my high school graduation from Brent in 1999. Mom knew I love Thai and Chinese food and gave this trip as my graduation present while Europe was Dad’s college graduation gift. We traveled together and studied at the Oriental Hotel, Bangkok, voted several times as the best hotel in the world. Its famed restaurant, Normandie, was host to 18 of the best out of 22 chefs in the world. While in Hong Kong, Town Gas Center is my favorite. The recipes are in English and Chinese, exact, practical and delicious. On assignment for Philippine Star for four days in Singapore, I stayed an extra nine days to study in two schools, Cookery Magic, Palate Sensation and special classes with Sylvia Tan, Editor of the Strait Times, The New Paper and author of three cookbooks..
Keys to a Successful Trip
Plan your trip, research in the internet and travel guide books for the places you want to visit and study them well. It is best to travel with a friend, traveling alone can be dangerous and having someone with you is a plus in case you need help. Note down the hotels, inns, and establishments you will staying in. Preferably choose a public area near a hospital, police station, and fire department in case of an emergency. Learn the public transportation system like trains, subways, Railways. This is the cheapest mode of transportation aside from walking. Taxis and cabs are expensive; have a budget for transportation.
Ensure that your passport is updated and fix all Visa requirements. When visiting the embassy, all travel documents should be organized and complete, to have an orderly and smooth transition. Xerox all important documents (Passport, credit card numbers, and health insurance) and have 3 copies, each to be placed in your hand carry, luggage, and wallet.
Fix all your finances. Bring the three C’s, cash, credit cards (if you can, bring more then one), and travelers’ check. Do not rely on one mode of payment and inform your bank that you will be traveling to activate and increase your credit limit. Never leave your money in one location, place them in different area so in case one bag is stolen you have “back up money” to buy your way out of trouble. Always have extra money, traveling in a foreign country is expensive, it is crucial that the budget is computed and extra money is added. Not everything planned can be predicted so have something extra. Buy a body pouch, so in case your wallet is stolen you have money to go home.
Get Health Insurance, do not travel without insurance. Hospitals often don’t accept patients without it, and getting hospitalized without it is costly.
Bringing a laptop is handy because you can continuously update during your trip. Maps and GPS system in the computer can also help when you are lost. A translation program can be installed to guide you in communicating in a foreign language, though knowing the local dialect is a huge benefit. The computer is also a cheap mode of communication via internet, web cam, and email. You can also book flights and adjust your itinerary easily.
Be smart, don’t act like a tourist. Ask questions but don’t trust strangers, you do not want to be a victim. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid dangerous areas. Ask the concierge for the best locations to go to and have the address of the hotel printed in a piece of paper so you can find your way home. Bring a camera and take plenty of pictures. Also always have a bottle of water to re hydrate. Finally enjoy the experience, life is full of dreams and possibilities, make the most out of every trip!
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