I could definitely identify this question when I had my first attempt in baking my own Birthday CakeChocolate Fudge. Baking is a sensationally satisfying and is really cozy activity . It helped heal a broken heart  they say and is really very true... and that's only one of its therapeutic powers. The smell or taste of home baking was unbeatable plus the fact that we knew what we were eating was also a bonus! It was a pleasure to serve my cousins and nieces with some lovingly prepared dish. I’m sure that my home-baking craze has been fuelled by the fact that I am starting to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to do something truly satisfying.

My growing passion for home baking continues to grow unabated as I have decided to join Chef Hasset Desserts to Go! at The Maya Kitchen. Desserts with a twist will take center stage at The Maya Kitchen on July 7, Saturday, 9am-1pm as Chef Hasset Go, one of the youngest baking prodigies in the country shows off his skills. He will demonstrate Energy Mug Cake, Coconut Calamansi Squares, Banana Jubilee Crepe, Pastel Tres Leches, Pandan-White Chocolate Mango Cake, Low Sugar Citrus Cupcake Crème Brûlée and Custard Spring Rolls.

The 23-year-old chef is a native of Misamis, Occidental where he learned how to bake from his mother.  He skipped college to right away train under some of the country’s premier pastry chefs. The young boy who used to sell yema, pastillas and brownies to his classmates is now the co-owner of MedChef Homemade Cakes, Pastries and Desserts. The business supplies cakes and other baked goods to institutional clients. He is now also a food stylist, chef instructor and consultant to food establishments. A book of his unique creations is also in the works.

Lifestyle Courses for July include: Healthy Options by: Kanchan Sadhwani, July 7, Saturday, 1:30-5pm; Classic Cakes, July 14, Saturday, 9am-1pm; Coffee 101, July 14, Saturday, 1-6pm, Cake Pops Workshop by: Veronica Mesia-FHO home entrepreneur on July 21, 9am-3pm; and Decorated 3D Cake Topper Workshop by: Jane Reyes - FHO home entrepreneur on July 28, 9am-3pm.

Certificate Courses with Hands-On include: Fundamentals of Bakery Production, July 3-6 and 17-20, Tuesdays-Fridays, 10am-3pm; Cake Decorating (Basic and Advanced), July 4-6, Wednesday-Friday, 10am-3pm;  Basic Culinary, July 10-13 and 24-27, Tuesday-Friday, 9am-3pm and July 14, 21, 28, Saturdays, 1-6pm; and Barista, July 14, 21 and 28, Saturdays, 1-6pm with 120 hours on-the-job-training.

For more information, log on to www.themayakitchen.com or e-mailcontactus@themayakitchen.com   or visit The Maya Kitchen Culinary Center every Tuesday to Saturday at 8F  Liberty Building, 835 A. Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), Makati City or call 8921185 / 892-5011 local 108.

•    1 (one) Gift Certificate to Desserts to Go! By Chef Hasset (Featured Lifestyle course) on July 7, 2012. (valued at P1,500)
•    fully-transferable; non-refundable

1.    Like The Maya Kitchen on Facebook (#/MayaKitchen)
2.  Choose your favorite dessert (from article above) to be made by Chef Hasset Go, fill in the blank, and post this on your facebook status (Don’t forget to tag The Maya Kitchen!)
“I want to attend @The Maya Kitchen’s Desserts To Go short course with celebrity Chef Hasset Go on July 7! Can’t wait to try the ______.”
3.    Leave a comment on this blog post ONLY ONCE with your Name and Email address
4.    Deadline is 11:59PM on Thursday, July 5. Winners will be selected at random via electronic raffle and will receive email notification from The Maya Kitchen.
5.    Announcement of lucky winner is on July 6 (Friday). Good luck!

I had this YSL shirt altered to fit me. With its long sleeves rolled up,  I wore it on top of my orange Aeropostale shorts on hot summer days and pair it with my Italian made Marcs and Spencer khaki pants during dress up days in the office. I kid you not, I also found the M&S pants in one of my favorite relief stores couple of years ago.

Four Seasons,  Php 840.00

Where else could be more exciting to celebrate a reunion other than Yellow Cab? Yellow Cab is where the best pizzas and other dishes are housed to celebrate those 'Remember when?' moments with the people that were there too. It was my Accenture colleagues' top choice to celebrate and share the memories that matter to us, every blast from the past, and that includes fond culinary memories in this restaurant during cancellation holidays.

Spaghetti & Meatballs,  Php 245.00

With Yellow Cab's wide array of assorted flavors, we ordered Four Seasons. It’s no surprise that this specialty pizza is deemed the most popular:  flavors of four pizzas put in 1 great pizza: NY Classic, #4 Cheese, Anchovy Lovers, Roasted Garlic & Shrimp, separated by each quarter. It defines all the best selling flavors of Yellow Cab: pepperoni, mozzarella, cheddar, romano & feta, anchovy, roasted garlic & shrimp. We also ordered 2 boxes of  Spaghetti & Meatballs - rich and hearty pasta with 2 giant meatballs baked and simmered in chunky red wine tomato sauce. I fully enjoyed the dish, it was warm and tasty.

Overall, it was a glorious day to found out the real bond between true friends over great culinary experience.