WHAT WENT BEFORE

During then President Benigno Aquino III’s final State of the Nation Address (Sona) on July 27, 2015, the estimated 2,750 guests were each treated to P700 worth of food and drinks, that resulted in a total tab of P2.5 million for catering and reception expenses.

Center Table, a first-time Sona caterer, provided food to members of the diplomatic corps and other officials, while The Plaza was chosen to provide the traditional lunch for the Speaker and other House members before the Sona.

The Plaza was a regular caterer during Aquino’s Sona events.

In 2013, the caterer provided a menu that included pan de sal with The Plaza Premium Baked Ham and The Plaza Premium Roast Corned Beef, shrimp cocktail, Crab Claws Calypso, vegetable sticks, assorted sushi and sashimi, Fish Fingers with Gutsy Garlic, Chicken Kievettes, pork barbecue in skewers, phyllo with curried chicken, and penne arrabiata pasta with creamy shiitake.

There was also a dessert buffet where guests can choose from a spread of lemon meringue, decadent chocolate cake, white chocolate cheesecake, profiteroles, tiramisu, pandan kutchinta, cheese pichi-pichi, or bibingkang malagkit.

In 2011, aside from pan de sal with baked ham, also served in various food stations were salmon and tuna sashimi, California maki, kani and tamago sushi, chef’s pate with melba toast, vegetable sticks with dip in shot glass, fish and chips, bouchees with creamy shiitake and gorgonzola, chicken lollipop and bite-size cream cheese burger.

Among the desserts were bite-size California raisin cheesecake, cheese brownie bites, Croquembouche, banana mini muffins and decadent chocolate cake.

(Source: Inquirer Archives)