My food finds at Artefino

The ArteFino Fair is one of the biggest shows featuring locally made, sustainable products. It showcases Filipino heritage, culture, craftsmanship, and pride while it aims to be a stepping stone for up-and-coming artists in the industry—a movement that celebrates the Filipino artisan across all different crafts and art forms.

This year, there were over 10,000 visitors to the four-day fair at The Fifth at Rockwell, Powerplant Mall, Makati. 

The Plaza was invited once again to be a vendor this year. We were honored to have been invited, so I made it a point to be present on all the days. The theme this year is “Pamana,” which I felt was fitting for The Plaza to be there, as it is a heritage brand spanning three generations of restaurateurs. In fact, the brand is turning 60 next year. 

Every time we join a bazaar, I always make it a point to purchase an item for buena mano to help bring luck and set the pace for the entire event. Therefore, the first item I purchased and consumed was, of course, The Plaza’s Reuben Sandwich with slices of our signature The Plaza Premium Roast Corned Beef, and a choice of horseradish cream, French mustard, or Russian dressing. This was topped with sauerkraut and pickles and sandwiched in sourdough rye bread. 

While everyone went crazy shopping at the main hall, I mostly stayed in the food area to either talk to clients or other vendors and exhibitors. I later discovered what the other vendors were selling. Being a food writer, it interested me more to hop to the different stalls and purchase from the other vendors as buena mano and also because there were so many delicious things there. 

So here is everything I ate at the ArteFino Fair!

Bug’s Buckies

The stall of Bucky’s during the ArteFino Fair was located right beside The Plaza booth. So every day, I would order Iced Lattes from them. I don’t know why I waited till the last day to purchase a Bucky (not a Brownie) but the Bug’s Buckys is so good! It’s basically a Bucky-fied carrot cake with oats, carrots, walnuts, and a thick layer of cream cheese frosting. It went perfectly well with the coffee. They take orders through their website https://www.buckysnotabrownie.com/ or find them at the Baker’s Dozen at the Power Plant Mall every weekend. Instagram: @buckysnotabrownie

Spinach & Artichoke Empanada from 50 Shades Of Dough

The Seven Pantry is a curated collection of food favorites and pantry staples. One of the many things I tried from their booth during the fair was the spinach and artichoke empanada of 50 Shades of Dough. I’ve always been drawn to empanadas and puff-pastry pockets for some reason. So one day, I realized I hadn’t had breakfast yet and it was already almost 2 p.m. So I walked around and discovered these freshly deep-fried empanadas. They have different variants such as the mushroom with truffle, jamon, brie and fig, and chicken ala king. I didn’t get to try all, but the dough was a bit crumbly, with a hint of sweetness, not too thick, and with ample filling. 

Apple Crumble Dessert Cup from Sugarbee

It was really an advantage that I was located right in front of The Seven Pantry. All the free samples that came out would have to pass by me. Haha! This time, it was apple compote in a cup with ice cream and cornflakes from Sugarbee.

Cheese Pimiento Almond Cake from Gourmandise by Sunshine

What is this sorcery? I initially just took a photo of it because it looked delicious and sounded delicious. But I only realized how good it was when I actually bought one to take home. My mom kept complaining that I was working all weekend and “demanded” that I bring her home pasalubong from the fair. I figured this was something new for us to try. Well, folks, she finished half of it in one sitting. It isn’t big but she can’t have too many nuts as part of her dietary restrictions. The almond cake was firm but not too dense, sweet enough to balance with the slight tang from the cheesiness of the cheese pimiento. 

On the first day of the ArteFino Fair, I recounted to Chef Sunshine Puey and her mom, tita Bella Yuchengco, a story about my mom and Chef Sunshine’s cookies. During the pandemic, I would buy frozen cookie dough from chef Sunshine and would make freshly baked cookies for my mom. Little did she know that I was only buying the frozen dough and passing it on as my own. Hahaha! She would crave freshly baked cookies thinking I actually made them. Haha!

Sunrise Mango from CMV Txokolat

I’ve been bumping into the OG Chocolate man Christian Valdes in most of the events I attend. And he graciously lets me sample his newest creations. I literally could not have enough of these Sunrise Mangoes. These are dried Cebu mangoes dipped in dulce de leche white chocolate, tultul salt and pink peppercorns. Sounds crazy, right? But it’s a yes for me! I also brought home a couple of chocolate bars such as The Crunch Bar with 65% dark chocolate and handmade, ethically sourced, organic pinipig as well as Cielo chocolate bar with Himalayan salt and pink peppercorns. Order from their website or Instagram.