Salt Crusted Maya Maya, one of the dishes served at the launch of Foodie Fair (photo by RUDY LIWANAG)

Those who love to putter about in the kitchen may recall mid 20th century Manila, when sourcing quality imported ingredients was akin to accomplishing the twelve labors of Hercules. 

At that time, one had to scour the city to find Crisco shortening, Royal gelatin, Hershey’s chocolate chips, or the ever-elusive Brun butter. Chances are, these items were available (sometimes) in little obscure stalls in San Juan (where these days, dog food is also sold by the sack), in the hot and crowded alley shops in Pasay’s Cartimar, or the PX heaven called Cash and Carry in Makati. Those who were fortunate enough to have access to the twin American military bases of Subic and Clark (before they pulled out of the country), could shop in the PX stores and enjoy their prime rib and steaks at leisure. Others had to rely on the generosity of relatives and friends from the good old U.S. of A. who were thoughtful enough to send by slow ship some of the imported products that Filipinos craved for --- Jello, canned blueberries, Spam, and Hills Bros coffee, as well as cakes of fragrant Ivory (the soap that floats!) and rolls and rolls of soft, pillowy tissue paper.

Ah, those were the years of abundance, punctuated by fledgling culinary discoveries.  If only the ingredients crucial to a newly found recipe were available to the common cook.

It was from this need that Rustan’s Supermarket was born. Donnie V. Tantoco, Rustan's Supercenters, Inc. president says: “We wanted to develop a store in this country that will make available good food from around the world.”

Indeed, since it opened its grocery aisles in 1970, Rustan’s kept true to its word by making a wide variety of global products available to the Filipino consumer. Going beyond the basics of a retail store, they opened the gourmet shop Bon Appetit, which later evolved into a gourmet restaurant.  Then in 1990, with the help of renowned chef Beth Romualdez, they established their first culinary studio.

And now, as a fitting prelude to its 40th year celebration, Rustan's Supermarket recently launched its Foodie Fair, a gastronomic kaleidoscope of the best quality food items gathered from all over the world.  Running from July 1 to September 8, 2010, Foodie Fair will feature a food and beverage category every two weeks.

First up is Sweet Surrender from July 1-14. The Food Fair starts with something sweet; and why not? Shoppers can indulge in their favorite flavors of chocolates, candies, yogurt, ice cream, cakes, and comforting confectionery.

A parade of meats and cheese takes center stage with Delightfully Deli on July 15-28. From July 15 to 21, shoppers can sample cold cuts (Parma ham, prosciutto, Jamon Serrano, beef pastrami), sausages (like Hungarian and Schublig sausages) and air-dried meats (like salami and pepperoni).  From July 22 to 28, the cheeses take over.  Local pride Malagos Cheese from Davao run side-by-side with nternational favorites like Brie de Lieaux, mozzarella, Manchego Semi Curado and Feta Cheese.

By July 29 to August 11, the focus shifts to Health is Wealth. Shoppers are invited to indulge in organic food with brands that include Full Circle (sauces and soups, canned vegetables, baby food, milk and milk products, preserves and spreads), Amy’s Kitchen (vegetarian options for condiments, soups, and canned goods), and Rustan’s own fresh fruits and vegetable choices.

Chef Essentials on August 12 – 25 encourages shoppers to keep a well-stocked pantry with oils, vinegars, sauces, syrups, and condiments. Meats and seafood round up this selection, which highlights Meltique, Australian beef and other succulent steaks, as well as seafood items like lobster and salmon.

The Foodie Fair also touches on wine education with La Vino Loca on August 26–September 8. Along with providing guides for reading wine labels, shoppers can take a liquid global tour with wines from Australia, New Zealand, California, South Africa, Chile, Italy, Spain, France, and North America.

Even as he invites foodies to sample the goodies at the fair, Tantoco reiterates: “We want to enrich the everyday lives of our customers.  We want to bring that kind of dining experience in their own homes.  They do not need to go out of the country to find authentic, high quality, and classy products.”

Rustan’s Supermarkets are located at Glorietta-Makati; Rockwell Powerplant Mall; The Gateway Mall in Araneta Center along Katipunan Road, Quezon City; at San Antonio Plaza Arcade, Forbes Park, Makati; Greenbelt, Makati; Paseo de Magallanes, along South Superhighway; Corinthian Hills; Ayala Center, Cebu; Arcenas Estates, Banawa, Cebu; and Il Terrazzo Mall, Tomas Morato, Quezon City.