Marami ang na-curious kung ano ang inihain para kay Pope Francis sa kanyang pagbisita dito sa Pilipinas. Pero ngayon, we can also have a taste of the Papal Meals because these can be sampled at Chef Jessie’s restaurant. And, with these meals, we will also have an opportunity to help others.
Si Chef Jessie Sincioco ang napili na maging official chef ni Pope Francis sa Apostolic Nunciature, kung saan tumira si Pope Francis sa loob ng 5 araw. Nang malaman ni Chef Jessie Sincioco na siya ang napiling official chef ni Pope Francis sa kanyang pagbisita dito sa Pilipinas, she could hardly believe the news.
Chef Jessie, who has been a lector for more than 20 years in her parish says, ‘I want to continue Pope Francis’ legacy of helping the poor children of Tulay ng Kabataan. I want to use my talent and the food I cook to evangelize.’
Being chosen for an important task, Chef Jessie relates, “Napaluhod ako, I was speechless, napadasal ako, sabi ko puwede na akong mamatay… I never thought pagsisilbihan ko ang Vicar of Christ.”
Serve the people
When news broke out na si Chef Jessie ang caterer ni Pope Francis, she received a lot of calls from people wanting to try the dishes she prepared for the Pope. According to Chef Jessie, she will use this opportunity to help others.
Half of the proceeds of the sale of the Holy Father’s menu will be given to Tulay ng Kabataan. Ito ang orphanage na binisita ni Pope Francis when he was in Manila.
During Pope Francis’ surprise visit at Tulay ng Kabataan last January 16, 2015. (Photo: Osservatore Romano/AFP)
In this way, Chef Jessie hopes to continue the mission of Pope Francis to help the poor.
Left: Grilled Rib-eye in Wild Mushroom Sauce; right- Chilean Sea Bass
The Papal Meal is being served by Chef Jessie sa kanyang Rockwell restaurant. Included in the meal ay ang mga sumusunod:
– Assortment ng breads
– Dumpling soup
– Choice ng beef o sea bass
– Mango flambe
– Coffee or tea
The beef choice costs P3,000 at kung sea bass naman ang pipiliin, P2,500 lang.
Simple lang ang menu
Sa paghahanda ng kanyang magiging menu, isinama ni Chef Jessie ang maraming Filipino dishes, including adobo and sinigang. Pero, nag-suggest ang Papal Nuncio ng mas simple na handa. “5-course meal ang orihinal na inihanda ko pero sabi ng Nuncio 3-course lang, kasi gusto nila simple lang,” Chef Jessie adds.
Nagdasal si Chef Jessie sa Virgin Mary para gabayan siya to create the perfect menu. September 8th nang na-approve ang final selection ng dishes. Hard at work, nagbasa pa si Chef Jessie tungkol sa kanyang important task. “Ni-research ko pa ang mga Argentinian food,” sabi niya.
Chef Jessie with her famous ciabatta bread
Gumawa si Chef Jessie ng variation of the traditional recipe for the Media Luna, ang pandesal ng Argentina, na siyang ise-serve araw-araw sa almusal.
Chef Jessie’s media luna
Kasama pa sa menu para kay Pope Francis ang mga sumusunod:
Ciabatta bread
Pan-fried Barramundi fillet
Chilean Sea Bass
Grilled rib-eye in wild mushroom sauce
Chicken Chimichurri
Bukod sa pagiging accomplished chef, Chef Jessie is also deeply religious. 25 years na siyang lector-commentator sa kanyang parish, and she’s also an avid follower of Pope Francis. She speaks of the Pope, “I love him so much… the epitome of the servant of God, humble and caring.”
Chef Jessie is a finance graduate who used to have little interest sa pagluluto noong bata pa siya. Encouraged to join a baking contest in the 80s, she won the grand prize and was offered a training course in pastry ng isang 5-star hotel. She became the first Filipina pastry chef. Ngayon, 20 years na siyang nasa restaurant industry. She is also the president of Chef Jessie Restaurants.
Huwag mag-aksaya ng pagkain
After serving the Pope for 5 days, mas bumilib pa si Chef Jessie kay Pope Francis. Isinasabuhay daw ni Pope Francis ang lahat ng mga prinsipyong kanyang tinuturo, tulad ng hindi pag-aaksaya ng pagkain na puwede pang pakinabangan ng iba.
“Kung hindi rin lang niya mauubos ang pagkain, hindi niya ito gagalawin kasi pwede pang kainin ng iba,” Chef Jessie explains.
Pope Francis’ daily table setting at the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila
Paborito raw ni Pope Francis ang niluto niyang steak. “Pinakilala ako ni Cardinal Tagle, ‘She’s the chef who prepares your food every day’. He said, ‘Muchos gracias’. Sabi ko, ‘How was your food, Your Holiness?’ Sabi niya, ‘Very tender – like cow.. moomoo.’ Tawanan kami!”
Pope Francis — who’s fond of chocolates and sweets — loves our ripe mangoes and bananas. Chef Jessie shares, “Laging simot hanggang buto ang mangga niya!”
When Pope Francis arrived from Tacloban, pagod na pagod at gutom na gutom siya. “Basang-basa siya, gusto ko ngang akapin. Naghanda kami agad ng sandwiches. For dinner, nasimot niya pati sauce ng Chicken Chimichurri, yung niluto naming Argentinian dish.”
Pope Francis’ favorite red wine
Hanggang sa pag-alis ni Pope Francis, walang tigil daw ang pagpapasalamat niya kay Chef Jessie, despite the strict protocols of the Vatican security. Tumatawa siyang ikinuwento, “Nakita niya ako, huminto. Sabi niya, ‘Chef, pray for me.’ Pinandilatan na nga ako ng security kasi dapat dire-diretso na ang Santo Papa”
Pope Francis waving thank you to Chef Jessie, saying he loved his tender, medium-done steak
Pray for Pope Francis
Maski ang staff ni Chef Jessie na sina Joseph, Ricsan, Noreen, at Christian ay tinuturing na pinaka-special na part ng kanilang buhay ang pag-serve kay Pope Francis.
With Chef Jessie’s “A Team”
According to Pastry Chef Noreen de Guzman, ramdam na ramdam niya ang sincerity ni Pope Francis. “Lumapit siya, ‘Don’t forget to pray for me.’ Sabi namin, ‘Picture with you?’ Sabi niya, ‘Yes. After ng isang click, sabi niya, ‘Just one? More more!’ Labasan na kami ng cellphone.. Tagos sa iyo yung tingin at salita niya, ramdam mo ang pagmamahal ni Kristo through him.”
Chef Jessie and Chef Noreen with some of Pope Francis’ dashing Swiss guards
Christian Marquez, waiter ni Chef Jessie at nag-serve kay Pope Francis, relates: “Pagdating ng food, mag-thank you siya; after eating, magdarasal, tapos hahanapin kami at magthank you uli. Laging naka-smile, mawawala ang pagod mo.”
Bilib sila sa humility at pagpapahalaga ni Pope Francis sa lahat ng tao, lalo na sa mga kagaya nila. Before Pope Francis left, he held a special mass for those who served him in the Nunciature.
Chef Jessie’s Apostolic Nunciature team with Pope Francis
Ayon kay Chef Ricardo Sanoria, inspiring si Pope Francis. “Yung mga cabinet secretaries nasa baba, kami ang pinaakyat. Nagmisa sa taas, kami ang VIP. Inspired kang maging mabuting Kristiyano dahil sa kanya.”
Chef Jessie preparing Papa Francesco’s meal with Chef Ricsan
Mark Joseph Joaquin talks about the Pope’s simplicity: “Simple lang, walang alalay. Kahit sa pag-akyat sa Popemobile. Living saint siya kasi yung aura niya kakaiba talaga.”
They were also given rosaries by Pope Francis.
Devotees of St. Joseph
Both Pope Francis and Chef Jessie are devotees of St. Joseph, kaya St Joseph statue ang gift ni Chef Jessie sa kanya, together with a t-shirt signed by Chef Jessie’s staff who served him in the Nunciature.
The shirt Chef Jessie’s team gave Pope Francis as a farewell gift
Chef Jessie with the jeepney popemobile
Although Pope Francis received a lot of gifts during his visit to the Philippines, Chef Jessie knows that the best gift we can all give to Pope Francis, ay iyong laging hinihiling ni Pope Francis sa ating lahat- ang ipagdasal na siya’y patuloy na gabayan ng Panginoon.
Pope Francis: ‘Chef, please pray for me’.
With Chef Jessie on continuing Pope Francis’ mission
And with her Papal Meals, maaari na rin nating matulungan si Pope Francis sa kanyang misyon sa mundo- ang tumulong sa mga nangangailangan.
Ang Chef Jessie ay located sa ground level ng Rockwell Club sa tabi ng Power Plant Mall. Para sa reservations and inquiries: 890-6543/ 890-7630/ 897-7516/ 729-0155.
PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK US OUT FOR MORE UPDATES ON POPE FRANCIS.
Please don’t hesitate to tweet (@JingCastaneda) or post your messages here in my column, or via my Facebook (Jing Castaneda Abscbn) for any clarifications.
