'Clear' century egg, braided eggplant in Hong Kong-Filipino 4-hands dinner menu

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino chef Margarita "Gaita" Fores reunited with Hong Kong chef Vicky Cheng to create an experiential four-hands dinner in Manila that marries the familiar flavors of the Philippines with Hong Kong's vibrant cuisine. 

The two chefs recently headlined the "When Stars Align: A Four Hands Dinner and Culinary Showcase" held at the Penthouse No. 66 in Grand Hyatt Manila that afforded its diners with the beautiful cityscape of Bonifacio Global City. The dinner was brought together by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. 

Chef Gaita, a famous name in the Philippine culinary scene behind popular brands such as Cibo, was delighted to work with Chef Vicky after seven years since they last worked in 2017. 

"The collaboration dishes that we do is not just about one chef and another. I think it's about the relationship between us and I hope that you would taste that good food," said the Hong Kong chef. 

Cheng is excited to give a preview of his award-winning Wing restaurant for the first time in the Philippines. 

Wing recently entered the list of Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, an annual list created by the Asia's 50 Best Restaurants Academy in 2013. The academy is composed of over 300 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia. 

Wing is another feather to the cap of the Hong Kong-born, Canada-raised chef who also helms another award-winning restaurant, Vea, which he founded nine years ago. Like Wing, it was also included in the annual list. 

Those who were present at the dinner had the privilege to try his famed braided eggplant, which chef Vicky shared was born out of a bonding session with his daughter. 

The braided eggplant is a staple at Wing. It was part of the dinner's appetizers, which featured two dishes from the chefs. 

"The inspiration came from one day when I was braiding my daughter's hair. And I thought, 'Wouldn't it be so nice if food looked like that braid?'" the chef shared. 

Completing his appetizer offering is his signature century egg, which is uncharacteristically white and soft that glides inside the mouth. 

"If you ever had century egg, it always come in a black color and it's quite solid. So I thought one day that it would be so nice