The World Gourmet Summit at Capella Singapore

May 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
World Gourmet Summit

Last week was the end of the annual World Gourmet Summit held in Singapore.  The event ran for two weeks and took place at restaurants all over the country.  As a lover of food, this is definitely one of my favorite events of the year because it is an opportunity to taste dishes from amazing chefs from all over the world.  Capella Singapore’s The Knolls was very fortunate to be one of the venue hosts for this event and we had the immense pleasure of hosting two renowned pastry chefs from Spain, a father and son team, Paco and Jacob Torreblanca.

The menus were truly fascinating because it was the first time I saw a full savory menu featuring chocolate.  An interesting and unlikely combination of ingredients was my first thought when I saw the menu for the dining events.  It included a Venison Pears Terrine with Chocolate Chutney, a Warm Scallop with a Chocolate Crust and Daikon, Japanese radish, and a Roasted Pigeon Breast served with a bitter chocolate sauce and hazelnut cauliflower puree.  However my apprehensions were soon put to rest, as Chefs Paco and Jacob’s blending of flavors were sublime.

This distinctive dining concept was Chef Paco Torreblanca’s idea and the result of his fascination with the possibilities of blending cocoa with Mediterranean ingredients.  From this spark of inspiration Chef Paco and his son Jacob have gone on to create a whole new and unique dining experience.

World Gourmet Summit

The series of dining events at The Knolls also included a Chocolate High Tea.  One of the most notable desserts featured the Cassis Royal, a light raspberry and pistachio layered cake marked with a giant white chocolate “oyster.”  Chef Paco shared the story behind this dessert, “I had a friend who loved oysters, but unfortunately one day he had some that made him sick.  Hearing this, I told my friend that I would create for him an oyster that would not make him sick and that he would love.”  Talk about a great friendship!

Hopefully you will be able to join us for a future World Gourmet Summit- I know my stomach is already looking forward to the next event!

Filed Under: Capella Singapore Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Jazz Rally Returns To Dusseldorf

May 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Jazz Rally

Finally, the time has come for the Jazz Rally to take place in Dusseldorf!  One of the most exciting events of the year, attendees enjoy an exciting weekend full of Jazz, Funk and Soul music.  This year the event runs from the 17th until 19th May and takes place in 150 different locations throughout the city.  One location that is sure to be a favorite is an open-air stage directly in front of the Rhine complete with bridges and the famous Rhine tower in the background.  However, I am most excited about a performance scheduled to take place at the airport and featuring Xavier Naidoo a famous German artist with an extraordinary voice.

Every year I can feel the anticipation building for the event.  As acts and locations are released I find myself planning out my calendar, trying to squeeze in every event!  The city is a buzz with energy and expectation.  Of course everyone is quick to purchase the famous Jazz Rally Button, which gets you into all the official events.

Jazz Rally

This year, Breidenbacher Hof, A Capella Hotel is getting in on the action!  Funk/Soul Duo Monica & Hutch will be playing at the Capella Bar.  I look forward to sitting back with some friends and enjoying a cocktail while listening to them!  I am always entranced by the rhythms and emotions in their music.

I hope I piqued your curiosity a bit because this event is the biggest Jazz festival in Germany – so really something special!  And if you are a jazz lover looking to attend, be sure to check out the Jazz Rally Special, which the Breidenbacher Hof has created especially for the event.  All in all, you have two great reasons to enjoy the Jazz Rally in Dusseldorf this year: Jazz and the Breidenbacher Hof!

Filed Under: Breidenbacher Hof Tagged With: , , , ,

Die Jazz Rally Ist Zurück In Düsseldorf

May 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Jazz Rally

Endlich ist es wieder so weit: Die “Jazz Rallye” findet zum 21. Mal in Düsseldorf statt. Eines der aufregendsten Veranstaltungen des Jahres, wo die Besucher ein spannendes Wochenende voller Jazz, Funk und Soul genießen können. Vom 17. – 19. Mai erklingen aus 150 verschiedenen Locations oder auch unter freiem Himmel stimmungsvolle Töne. Eine der Spielstätten, warscheinlich die beliebteste, ist die Bühne an der Rheinpromenade. Eine Freiluftbühne, mit Blick auf den Rhein, die charakteristischen Rheinbrücken und den beleuchteten Rheinturm im Hintergrund – eine traumhafte Kulisse! Ich bin am meisten gespannt auf das Konzert, welches am Flughafen stattfinden wird. Xavier Naidoo wird dort für Stimmung sorgen.

Jedes Jahr spürt man in der gesamten Stadt die wachsende Vorfreude auf diese Veranstaltung. Sobald das Programm steht, versuche ich so viele Konzerte wie möglich in meinem Kalender unterzubringen. Die Stadt verfällt in eine Begeisterung und fiebert erwartungsvoll dem Wochenende entgegen. Schon im Vorverkauf schnappt sich jeder den berühmten Jazz Rally Button, der den Zutritt zu allen Veranstaltungen ermöglicht.

Jazz Rally

Wie ihr uns kennt, lässt es sich der Breidenbacher Hof, a Capella Hotel natürlich auch nicht nehmen einen musikalischen und kulinarischen Beitrag zu leisten. Das Funk/Soul Duo Monia & Hutch unterhält Euch am Pfingstwochenende in unserer Capella Bar. Ich freue mich schon darauf, mich gemütlich zurückzulehnen und mit einem Cocktail in der Hand den beiden zu lauschen. Jedes Mal wenn ich sie höre, bin ich aufs Neue überrascht, mit wie viel Gefühl und Rhythmus in ihrer Musik die Beiden mich fesseln.

Ich hoffe ich konnte eure Neugier ein wenig wecken, denn dieses Ereignis ist das größte Jazz-Festival in ganz Deutschland – also wirklich etwas ganz Besonderes. Kleiner Tipp für die Jazz-Fans unter Euch: Im Rahmen des Events, haben wir ein passendes Jazz Rally Arrangement für Euch kreiert. Wie ihr seht, gibt es gleich zwei gute Gründe sich dieses Spektakel nicht entgehen zu lassen.

Filed Under: Breidenbacher Hof Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Atlzazilistle: The Jaguar Fight Rain Ritual

April 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
"Jaguar Dance" by Susan Contreras.

I love Mexican traditions, and if you’ve read my previous posts, we have plenty of them!  Recently I learned about an amazing tradition, unique to our state Guerrero.  It is a rain ritual and I would love to share it with you.

Atlzazilistle (or the Jaguar fight rain ritual) is a petition for rain and fertility.  The festival takes place in the village Acatlán, about 6 hours from Ixtapa.  Each year the events begins with the blessing of the seeds on April 25, and the climax of the celebrations arrives in early May with festivities organized by the hosts and community authorities.

During the festival people offer birds, flowers, food, copal and wax figures at various hills and sacred places.  One of the most interesting and picturesque rituals happens on May 2, with staged fights among various masked figures.  Early in the morning the tlacololeros (men in masks, jute suits and with whips) visit mayordomo at his home, where they offer him pozole and mezcal as an invitation to the ceremonies and a signal of the start of the ritual.

"Jaguar Dance" by Susan Contreras.

“Jaguar Dance” by Susan Contreras.

After this, the entire community gathers at the church, where the tlacololeros, the cotlatlastin (men of the wind) and tecuanis (men dressed as a jaguar) are presented.  The church music is played by teponaxtli (a slit drum made of hollow hardwood logs) and the chirimía (a wooden flute), while the church bells formally announce the start of the festivities.  At that moment tecuanis (people dressed as jaguars) gather in groups of 22 and begin to fight.  This part of the ritual aims to bring rain and good crops, as it is an ancient belief that “The more the tecuanis (jaguars) fight, the more rain falls.”

The fights continue to the next day, when participants march to the top of a sacred hill Cerro del Cruzco.  This is the climax of the offering to the earth (huentli) to bring rains and good crops.

During the festivities each of the tecuanis keeps complete anonymity.  They dress and groom alone so their opponents – who can be their friends or even family – don’t recognize them. The tecuani use a skin mask made by craftsmen of Acatlán.  They are amazingly beautiful and considered a master craft, and can sell for hundreds of US dollars.

This tradition has been passed from generation to generation, and it is believed that every stroke of a wrestler over another is a prayer for good rain and good soil.

This is quite the festival!  And I look forward to seeing the results from this year’s harvest.

Filed Under: Capella Ixtapa Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Pelea De Jaguares: Un Ritual Para La Lluvia

April 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
"Jaguar Dance" by Susan Contreras.

Me encantan las tradiciones mexicanas, y como han podido leer en mis anteriores artículos, ¡tenemos muchas de ellas! Recientemente aprendí sobre una sorprendente tradición, única de nuestro estado de Guerrero, y me gustaría compartirla con ustedes.

El Atlzazilistle (o Peleas Jaguar para el ritual de la lluvia) es una petición de lluvia y fertilidad. El festival tiene lugar en el pueblo de Acatlán, a 6 horas en carretera de Ixtapa. Cada año el evento inicia con la bendición de las semillas el 25 de Abril, y el clímax de las celebraciones llega a inicio de Mayo con las fiestas organizadas por los “mayordomos” y autoridades de la comunidad.

Durante el festival la gente ofrece aves, flores, comida, copal y figuras de cera en varios cerros y lugares sagrados. Uno de los rituales más interesantes y pintorescos sucede en 2 de Mayo, con escenas de peleas entre varios personajes enmascarados. En la madrugada los “tlacololeros” (hombres ataviados en máscaras, trajes de yute y latigos) visitan al mayordomo en su casa, donde se les ofrece pozole y mezcal como bienvenida y señal de inicio de el ritual.

"Jaguar Dance" by Susan Contreras.

“Jaguar Dance” by Susan Contreras.

Después de esto, toda la comunidad se junta en la iglesia, donde los tlacololeros, los “cotlatlastin” (hombres del viento) y los “tecuanis” (hombres vestidos de jaguar) son presentados. La música en la iglesia se toca con “teponaxtli” (un tambor prehispánico hecho con troncos huecos) y la “chirimía” (flauta de madera), mientras las campanas anuncian el comienzo de las festividades. En ese momento los tecuanis se organizan en grupos de 22 y comienzan a pelear. Esta parte del ritual busca atraer lluvia y buenas cosechas, ya que como marca la antigua creencia “Mientras más pelean los tecuanis (jaguares), más lluvia cae.”

Las peleas duran hasta el siguiente día, cuando los participantes se dirigen a la cima del Cerro del Cruzco. este es el punto más alto de la ofrenda a la tierra (huentli) lo cual traerá lluvias y buenas cosechas.

Durante los festejos cada uno de los tecuanis conserva completo anonimato. Se visten y preparan en solitario, para que sus contrincantes, que pueden ser incluso sus amigos o familia, no los reconozcan. El tecuani usa una máscara de piel endurecida creada por los artesanos de Acatlán. Son sorprendentemente bellas y consideradas una artesanía muy fina, e incluso se pueden vender por miles de pesos.

Esta tradición ha pasado de generación en generación, y se cree que cada golpe de uno de los peleadores (tecuanis) a otro es una plegaria para atraer la lluvia y la tierra fértil.

¡Vaya que es una festividad! Y espero pronto ver los resultados de la cosecha de este año.

Filed Under: Capella Ixtapa Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Bryan Adams Photography Exhibit In Düsseldorf

April 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Bryan Adams Exposed

Last week I came across a poster depicting a photograph of Amy Winehouse and the words “Bryan Adams – Exposed.” To my surprise, the poster was advertising an exhibition of Bryan Adams’ photographs. I was confused, Bryan Adams, isn’t he a singer?  I had to check with the Breidenbacher Hof Personal Assistants who always seem to know what is going on in Düsseldorf.

Bryan Adams Exposed

It seems that Brian Adams, known for such songs as Summer of ‘69, has been exhibiting his photographs at the NRW-Forum in Düsseldorf.  The exhibit runs through May 22nd 2013.  Adams has been shooting photos since childhood.  His hobby evolved into a passion and has become widely acknowledged.  Subjects include portraits of his family, friends, and other elements that define him and his surrounding.

I of course had to see the exhibit for myself!  After all, I’ve loved him as a musician- I had to see his photos!

The breadth of topics was immense.  On the one hand there were photographs of superstars, ranging from Michael Jackson to Amy Winehouse to Mickey Rourke.   Yet, at the same time, Adams shot images of British soldiers returning from a foreign assignment.  These photos were particularly provocative and included images of injured soldiers going on with their lives by presenting their strength and will to live.  My personal favorite was a picture of Queen Elizabeth II, which he took on the occasion of her golden jubilee. The photo is so impressive that you can now find it on Canadian stamps!

So if you have the opportunity to see one of his exhibitions, such as the current one in Düsseldorf, I can definitely recommend it to you!  If you are staying at the Breidenbacher Hof, A Capella Hotel just ask your Personal Assistant and they will bill happy to arrange the visit for you!

Filed Under: Breidenbacher Hof Tagged With: , , , , ,
«Older Posts