Philippine Airlines passengers flying from Manila to North America and Australia on Business Class starting this month are in for a treat as the country’s flagship carrier has introduced a special anniversary menu in line with its 82nd year.
PAL’S newly-minted Executive Chef Vallerie Castillo-Archer has brought her A-game and developed a menu that deliciously marries local and global culinary inspirations delivered with a distinctly Filipino brand of service.
“As a Filipino-American chef, it is my pleasure to enable passengers from all over the world to get a taste of exquisite Filipino flavors and renowned hospitality,” said Chef Val, whose new role as Assistant Vice President of PAL’s Catering Operations also covers both catering operations that includes food safety, quality control, crew training, and team management.
(Clockwise, from top left) Fillet Mignon served with Asparagus and potato puree topped with Tanduay Sauce; Beet Cured Salmon on Toast; Ilocano Cauliflower Adobo; Tuna Tataki Salad; Truffle Mac and Cheese; Miso Seabass.
The new menu reflects her Ilocano roots as well as her stint as the first female and first Filipino-American executive chef of Yamashiro, an iconic Hollywood restaurant in Los Angeles. Passengers can look forward to sumptuous dishes like main courses of Tiger Prawn Sinigang, Filet Mignon topped with Tanduay rum sauce, Ilocano Cauliflower Adobo in vegan adobo sauce, as well as the show-stopping Miso Seabass. Adlai Champorado and a Tapsilog Bowl have also found their way on the menu together with Bagel and Lox and Chicken Sausages with Ube-filled Waffles. Frequent flyers who look forward to PAL’s iconic Arroz Caldo need not worry as the dish remains untouched because “I want to keep my job,” the chef said in jest.
(Clockwise, from top left) Adlai Champorado; Arroz Caldo; Calamansi Panna Cotta; Chicken Sausages and Ube Waffles; Kumori Japanese Cheesecake; Macaron.
“We’re committed to offering our passengers new discoveries in inflight dining on our international flights in the coming months, as we invite more and more travelers from all over the world to fly on our direct flights to and from the Philippines. Drawing from Chef Vallerie’s innate passion and global experience, our expert catering team will ignite positive developments that will bring new delights to our customers’ overall flight experience,” said PAL President and Chief Operating Officer Capt. Stanley K. Ng said.
(L-R) PAL Senior Vice President and General Counsel Atty. Carlu Fernandez, Vice President for Marketing Ria Carrion-Domingo, Chef Vallerie Archer-Castillo, President and COO Capt. Stanley K. Ng, Vice President for Corporate Affairs Josen Perez De Tagle, Assistant Vice President for Brands Howard Uyking, and Manager for Corporate Marketing Fernand Yoshio Yoshida.
As the Philippines’ sole full-service airline, PAL masterminds a complex operation of catering teams and partnerships that produce over 600,000 inflight meals every month for flights to North America, the Middle East, and all over the Asia-Pacific region and the Philippines. The special Anniversary menu is the latest development in a continuing drive to whip up new creations to spice up PAL’s in-flight menu offerings all year round and is expected to take off to a whole new level with the Filipino legacy of caring customer service shining through.