Where do I start? The lovely setup? The sumptuous food? The exceptional service? It seems, there are too many good things to say about them, and not enough good words to describe them accurately.
From the get-go, I knew Passion Cooks Catering Services can single-handedly create a beautiful memory of our wedding in the minds of our guests. But for us, it’s not just about the setup, nor the food, but the overall experience of being treated and handled with utmost dedication and focus. And a passion to do everything that will make us happy.
It is this passion that sets them apart from the others–this passion that spells the difference between someone who’s doing her job well because it is her job, and someone who cares about your event because she knows it is important to you. They never regarded us as “just another client”, or our wedding as “just another event.” Instead, they made us feel that we’re VIPs and exerted efforts to ensure we’re very well taken cared of.
Everytime Maja (Martinez, Passion Cook’s manager and contact person) would ask, “How can we help you, Ms. Sheng?”, I could feel her sincerity. And I did not hesitate to ask her help on some occasions when I felt I needed it. (Normally, I would think twice about asking someone a favor especially when I feel that the person didn’t really mean to help.) We worked together in weaving the concept – through emails and pictures, we put the ideas together to form the lovely image of our wedding. And on that day, she did what does best: make the picture come to life.
The Details and Setup
I remember walking down the center aisle, during our grand entrance as newlyweds, and looking around at tables. I was so amazed with the centerpieces and the amount of flowers that Maja used in every table. And when we reached our table, we were blown away by the setting that she did for us. I remember telling myself, “If only I have my camera with me…”
The couple’s backdrop was literally “shinning, shimmering and splendid” (If only Aladdin and Jasmine were there… hehe). It became the focal point of the whole reception area – the “stage” where I saw guests taking their pictures at after the program was over.
The buffet area was interesting, too. One of my aunt was intrigued by how they were able to hang those test tubes up on the ceiling of the gazebo. The coordinator of the resort almost wished that they would forget to take down the ceiling drapes. She said that the whole reception area, with Passion Cook’s styling, looked so beautiful and elegant. She also noted the impressive line of kitchen gadgets and equipments that they used for the food.
Everything was every inch a country-style wedding: rustic yet romantic, with white linens against a background of green foliage and a country-style cottage house and gazebo. It was even more magical when the night set in, with flickering candle lights on every table and capiz lanterns and sparkling sequins dazzling up the couple’s table.
The Food
Food was overflowing and truly delicious. The runaway favorites were the oriental salad with tomato-mango salsa and crispy catfish, roast beef in mushroom sauce, grilled dory in teriyaki and mango sauce, baked penne, chocolate lazy cake, and panna cotta. Many skipped the pesto because they’re not familiar with the dish, but those who love pesto, raved about the spicy garlic and chicken pesto (D was one of them). The drink (mango juice with “bits”? I’m not sure because it tasted like mango and then something else) was very refreshing. My mom had 2 glass refills. I’d love to have another glass if I wasn’t so full.
Guest filled up their plates. Some helped themselves to seconds. There was more than enough for everybody. We weren’t able to serve the cake because the 5 desserts alone were too many for them.
The Service
Everywhere I looked, I saw waiters – filling up the guests’ glasses, going from table to table, assisting in their needs. The VIP table was well-served according to my mom (who regretted that she didn’t ask for a second helping of the oriental salad.) I even saw Maja posting as one of the servers. Our head waiter, Rommel, was very attentive and our plates never remained empty for more than 30 seconds. All the waiters were polite and served with a pleasant demeanor. And the guests were delighted with the Food and Waiters Parade that they performed at the start of the program.
And it was so nice of Mrs. Laura Martinez, the Chef, to go to our table and greet us before she left the event (after most guests have eaten).
We reserved food for 150, but only an estimate of 110 to 120 came (including the suppliers). We were able to take home a lot of food which they placed neatly into styrofoam food containers and aluminum foils. They put the cake back into the box that came with it. Maja also packed a “take-out” dinner for my grandmother who wasn’t able to attend our wedding.
The Freebie: Bridal Bouquet
My bouquet was Maja’s gift to me (through the special intercession of Ms. Anne of Cheerfactor Events). Yes, it was free. But it looked so professionally made–composed of Ecuadorian roses, cymbidium orchids, alstromeria, button mums and some fillers. I guess they got carried away with the flowers because the bouquet got a bit bigger and heavier than I can carry. Nonetheless, it was very lovely (a lot of guests agreed). And I couldn’t be more grateful to Maja and Ms. Anne for this really wonderful gift for our wedding.
I didn’t “throw” my bouquet. Instead, I gave it to my mom and told her to put on my older sister’s grave when they visit her the following day. By doing that, my bouquet became even more special.
The Misses
But these were very trivial and did not mar the gorgeous setup and overall delightful experience that Passion Cooks Catering Services gave us on our wedding day
- Rating: 5/5
- Pros: Exceptional customer service, great staff, delicious and overflowing food, gorgeous setup and styling
- Recommended period!
Click here for a related post regarding our foodtasting with Passion Cooks.
