Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test

I was hesitant at first when I got invited to attend the Ultimate Taste Test at Rockwell Tent.  I remember the first time I tried it at Eastwood wherein it was a mess.  It was like 4-6 years ago but it was just too traumatic that I didn’t attempt to attend the next ones.  However, I decided to try it again this year because several of my colleagues are going.  I don’t want to miss the chance to bond with them.

Oh, it was surprising indeed!  When I entered the venue, it was a different aura altogether.  It was pretty obvious that it was well-organized!  I didn’t even experience any difficulty getting samples from each of the merchants!  The Ultimate Taste Test was exclusive to 1,000 foodies and there were 55 merchants who participated in the event.  Tickets for Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test were sold at Php 585.00 per person.  I was happy that I attended!  It was a great foodie experience!  😀  The organizers got it right this time at their 6th year!  Ultimate Taste Test 6.0 was a success!  Congratulations to the organizing team!

You might be wondering what Ultimate Taste Test is.  It’s basically a yearly event wherein we can be food critics for a day by sampling food products from different participating merchants.  You better come to an Ultimate Taste Test (UTT) event in an empty stomach.  If you missed this year’s event, don’t fret as you still have next year.  I’m sure UTT will be here to stay.

So how does it work?

We are given a Passport as we register for the event.  Using the Passport, we get to rate the food on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being the highest.  We can also share our feedback to the food supplier.

Tips on how to enjoy Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test:

1. Taste and Savor each food.
2. Hold on to the score sheet.  Go and taste one dish at a time then Rate the food you just tasted.  Include more descriptive comments.
3. Recycle your plastic water cups.
4. Clean as you go, there are waste bins around the area.
5. Submit the form at the exit.

Score Sheet legend:

1 – Thanks, but it could be better.
2 – It’s Okay!
3 – We had a good time!
4 – I love it!
5 – Awesome! I would recommend it!

Aside from the awesome food, we also got to experience great entertainment in Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test event.  There were bands that played music but the highlight for us was the belly dancing group by Jill.  They were dressed in beautiful belly dancing costumes.  They also invited some guests to dance with them on stage!  Two of my colleagues were there!  Too cute!

I was interviewed by UTT 6.0 host Marian the foodie.  However, I just arrived that time and wasn’t able to share my experience yet.  Anyway, I have my blog to share with you the food that I enjoyed in the event.

Here goes my top picks from the 55 merchants who joined UTT 6.0:

• Eat my GF

Eat my GF specializes on Garlic Fries with toppings as well as virgin chips.  This was the first booth I visited but the flavors of the chips and fries were just too rich that I couldn’t forget how tasty they were.  I love the supplier’s tagline as well: “Don’t cheat on your GF… stay loyal…”.  Hahaha!  Double meaning FTW!

• Almost Gourmet Food Service

Their Frost Bites cook it yourself offering is a winner!  Each pack includes the sauce already.  All we have to do is fry or bake the meat and we’re good to go.  Yummy!

• The Flying Chef

Their ham & cheese and chocolate & bacon empanadas were so delicious!  However, for the chocolate & bacon empanada, the chocolate overpowered the flavors of the bacon.  Will it bother you though?  I’m sure it won’t as most of you love chocolates!

• HKR Food Express

Thanks to Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test as I got to experience the food being offered at Hongkong Roast Food Express.  This shall be my best discovery in the event.  Now, I have another good option for our daily lunch!  HKR Food Express’ Roast Chicken and Asado were so good!  I couldn’t get enough of the food!  I shall ensure to order their asado for lunch next week!  Good thing, they are located in Makati City.

• Luigi’s

Who would ever thought that Aga Muhlach’s son can cook delicious food?  Luigi Muhlach’s creations: Chicken Cordon Bleu and Phillychanga will surely be in everyone’s favorites list.  I have no doubt.  They even ran out of pamphlets and cards considering it was only 4:45pm when I asked for it.

• Dek A Thai Authentic Cuisine

I surely think the food was authentic as the person manning the booth was from Thailand.  I enjoyed the Cha Yen/Thai traditional iced milk tea being served as well as the Poh Pia Tod/Spring rolls and vegetable salad.  I just love Thai food!

• Farm N’ Deli

I loved each and every kind of food I tasted in the Farm N. Deli booth.  The Tinapa spread was delish, yum!  I also find it interesting that they offer ALL kinds of longaniza in the Philippines!  I never even thought that we have like 11 kinds of longaniza based on its location in the country.

• PinakBEST

I love munching on things whenever I work.  I was able to taste the chicharon as my colleague had it in our table.  As soon as I tasted it, I knew I had to look for the stall that has it.  Fortunately, I was able to find it.  The supplier is apparently, PinakBEST.  They have a stall in Mercato Centrale.  The chichacorn is being sold at Php 120 for a big pack.  So delicious!

• Mang Pedro Food Products

It’s a good thing that the supplier wasn’t that strict as I had to have multiply servings of their taho.  Gosh, their almond flavored taho was definitely the best taho I have ever tasted so far.  I highly recommend Mang Petro Food Products for your taho needs.  If I’m to rank my favorites, this will be number 1 🙂

• Merry Moo Artisan Ice Cream

Merry Moo uses fresh local dairy in making their ice cream.  Among the flavors that I tasted, the berry corny was my favorite!  Those homemade ice cream has unique flavors and I’m sure you would want to have more.

• Chef’s Table

I wasn’t surprised that I saw Chef Bruce Lim’s famous creation in UTT 6.0.  His buko pie martini is a must-try.  I remember raving about this when I visited Chef’s Table for the first time.

Whew!  Spent 4 hours trying to taste food and rating it in Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test.  A great way to experience food with fellow foodies.  Will we do it again?  Oh, I’m sure!

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Rockwell’s Ultimate Taste Test
September 3, 2011
Rockwell Tent, Makati City, Philippines