Peter Borg (Simply Salacious, London) + MBKRS Awards 2012 results - Episode 53

This week, we have a fresh new mix by veteran British DJ Peter Borg.   We also have a full report on the Oscars of Manila's restaurant industry, which we organize and host every 2 years and that just took place at the end of November.
Like most good DJs, Peter was exposed to music at a very young age and worked in radio (Choice FM) before he was old enough to get into clubs.  After holding residencies at Surrey Mansion, Mayfair, Rouge, The Saint, and Cafe de Paris, he started his Simply Salacious brand in 2004, the name behind some of London's most talked about parties held at a number of venues including Ministry of Sound, Area, and Babalou.  Peter has also mixed music on radio stations such as Pressure Radio, and most recently on Kiss FM, when he was approached by founder Gordon Mac to join his new project Mi-Soul. More on Peter Borg music at facebook.
We hope to have Peter in Manila in early 2013.  Here's a little something to warm-up to.
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MANILA’S RESTAURANT INDUSTRY CELEBRATES ITS VERY BEST
A near-full moon shone over Enderun Colleges Culinary Center on the night of "The Oscars of Manila’s Restaurant Industry", The MBKRS Awards 2012.  The large hall of the center’s atrium was packed to the brim with chefs, restaurateurs, hoteliers, media and other guests, waiting with bated breath to hear the results that would be announced that night.  30 award categories, 150 nominees, and a panel of over 100 judges—these are the key elements in this prestigious awarding ceremony that recognizes excellence in Manila’s dining scene.

This year’s awards were held on November 27 to a record crowd. Before the ceremony began, guests mingled, munched and sipped on fabulous food and wine sponsored by some of the best restaurants and beverage companies in the city.  None other than the honorable secretary of tourism Ramon Jimenez Jr. opened the awards with an inspiring speech.  Jimenez urged restaurants to constantly strive for excellence, all the while maintaining “focus” and “consistency”.
 
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez addresses the restaurant industry (left). With organizers Elian and Ines (right)
The MBKRS Awards organizers Ines Cabarrus and Elian Habayeb—authors of the bestselling coffee-table book Manila’s Best Kept Restaurant Secrets who also hosted the event, were joined on stage by celebrity presenters who helped hand out the night’s prestigious awards: Metro Society Managing Editor Georgia Schulze del Rosario, popular blog When in Manila’s Vince Golangco, Ministry of Mushrooms Founder Marco Lobregat, Pinkerton Ice Cream’s Alexandra Rocha, Jim Araneta of Global Beer Exchange, Tina Pamintuan of L’Incontro, Enderun’s Hospitality Management Director Bobby Horrigan, Mercato Centrale Co-founder Vanessa Ledesma, The Comedy Cartel’s Noel Gascon and Victor Anastacio, Juice.ph’s Spanky Enriquez, Melissa Gecolea of ANC, and actors Janice de Belen and Johnny Revilla, who are both starring together in the upcoming thriller Strangers.  The independent auditing firm SGV & Co witnessed the announcements and checked whether the results from the survey tool QuestionPro are consistent with the winners announced.

Ines Cabarrus with ANC's Melissa Gecolea

Multi-award winner Malu Gamboa roots for her brother
The list of winners is as follows:
 
Awards by Cuisine Best ITALIAN RESTAURANT: Va Bene Pasta Deli Best FRENCH RESTAURANT: Brasserie Ciçou Best SPANISH RESTAURANT: Terry’s Selection Best JAPANESE RESTAURANT: Sugi Best CHINESE RESTAURANT: Hai Shin Lou Best CONTINENTAL CUISINE: Sala Best THAI RESTAURANT: People’s Palace
 Best FILIPINO RESTAURANT: Abé
Best MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANT: Hossein’s Persian Kebab Best KOREAN RESTAURANT: Kaya Best INDIAN RESTAURANT: New Bombay Indian Cuisine Best CENTRAL E(continued)