Xavier de Eizaguirre, chairman of Baron Philippe de Rothschild management board with Miss Mouton Cadet Elaine Crispy Miles, Tita Trillo of Titania Wines, and Valerie Variou Bondoc – Miss Mouton Cadet first runner-up

Xavier de Eizaguirre, chairman of the Baron Philippe de Rothschild management board, recently flew into town for the Mouton Cadet Charity Gala. Presented by wine diva Tita Trillo of Titania Wine Cellar, in cooperation with the Makati Shangri-la, and its GM Reto Kauser, the dinner event celebrated the 80th Anniversary of Mouton Cadet, and the selection of Miss Mouton Cadet 2010.

Within  the span of an hour, Rupert and I went from fine champagne  at the haute couture Hermes opening to the Baron Philippe epicurean extravaganza complete with wine pairing at Red. Among the sophisticated palates sipping their Mouton Cadet blanc were Marivic Vazquez, Jose Mari Trenas, Mary Garlicki, Felice Sta. Maria, and Yvonne Yuchengco. Ultracool Maurice Arcache with brainy beauty Vicky Zubiri arrived a little after us, coming from the boutique opening as well, to support daughter Stephanie. They joined our table just as Louie Ysmael of Nuvo was telling us that the lucky winner of Miss Mouton Cadet gets to attend the Cannes Film Festival.

The Gala dinner menu was specially prepared by Executive Chef de Cuisine Thomas Linke, as these were paired off with five award winning wines donated by the Baroness Philippine de Rothschild.  Superbly notable were the Chateau Mouton Rothschild Premiere Cru Classe Pauillac 1999 Vintage, which went exquisitely well with  the  walnut crusted Crottin de Chavignol cheese, and the Mouton Cadet Pauillac 80th Anniversary Limited Edition 2006 vintage which accompanied the Roulade of Roasted Lamb Shoulder with Rosemary gravy and  truffle celeriac puree. 

The Miss Mouton Cadet 2010 title was awarded to Chef Elaine Crispy Miles of New Orleans restaurant. The 15 candidates represented prime establishments where Mouton Cadet is poured.  Proceeds from the charity gala were earmarked for the orphans of Mother Teresa in Tondo, Manila.