Dette Tan’s heirloom china is 50-years-old and was passed onto her by her late mother. She cherishes the Noritake flatware with 24-carat gold-filled lining because of its sentimental value. They are taken out on special occasions or when those she loves the most gather around her table for a meal. Her daughter Audrey, son-in-law Miguel Zubiri, her grandchildren and her “close, close friends from way back years ago” are people in her life she loves to entertain.
“I go for contemporary. I don’t like rustic,” she states. Her 10-seater Alf Italia table with leather, upholstered chairs suit her signature all-white themes. “I’m a big fan of white because it looks clean,” she shares while arranging a variety of orchids, Phalaenopsis and roses all in white. Twenty-year-old Italian crystal water goblets, wine glasses and champagne flutes are placed on the table setting with the same precision as other decorative elements like Murano crystals and candles. It is a tablescape that was pristine and put together with close attention to detail.
Dette’s dinners usually begin with cocktails in the living room. When her in-house chef lays all the dishes on the buffet table, she leads the party to the dinning area. Guests are free to sit where they please. The hostess is more concerned about creating a dining experience that is spontaneous and free flowing. That is why a buffet set up is preferred to encourage those in her home to eat to their hearts desires. The close-knit group she often invites to her table is also more than happy to indulge.
Meals begin with a fresh green salad topped off with French dressing and blue cheese. This is followed by a main course of either salmon or steak. Meal-enders are set up on a separate table in the adjoining lanai. It is filled with cakes and Dette’s signature fruit salad. Dinner at the home of Dette is not just about having beautiful table and good food. More than that, it is about celebrating authenticity and enjoying the company of loved ones.
SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM DETTE TAN’S DELECTABLE DINNER…
Dette’s Signature Fruit Salad
Ingredients:
1 can fruit cocktail
1 can pineapple chunks
1 I can corn ( whole)
1 1 can sliced peaches
1/2 kilo seedless grapes peeled
1 box nestle cream
1/2 can condensed milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Preparation:
- Drain all the canned fruits.
- In a serving bowl mix all ingredients and chill before serving.
Text by Chino R. Hernandez
Photography by Hub Pacheco
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