Foodie at Heart: PAUL TAN

Photography by NORIEL DE GUZMAN

This month’s foodie at heart is Paul Andrew S. Tan who has an extensive management experience in both corporate and start-up business development and conceptualization specializing in brand management, online marketing as well as events and promotions. He is currently working in Global Quality Waters and Environmental Solutions Technologies, Inc , NAUTREAL Enterprises and AXA Philippines.

What are the foods you associate with your childhood? Do you have an anecdote about a particular food and a memory associated with it?
The food that really left an impression on me was ampalaya. Because at the time I was frequently left home alone, and during those times the only thing available to eat was a bowl of ampalaya. Since the choice was either to eat the ampalaya or go hungry I had to learn to eat ampalaya.

What are your favorite comfort foods?
After a stressful day I usually look forward to a hearty meal of baked oysters paired with fine red wine.

What is your in a hurry food? Your reward food? Your diet food? Guilty pleasure food?
My hurry food would have to be no frills and fuss fastfood burgers which can really fill me up fast when I am on the go. My reward food would have to be Sisig Hooray’s sisig. Nothing says indulgence better than the greasy savory flavor of their sisig. My diet food would have to be bananas, oats, and cereals. It’s pretty bland and boring but it helps me shed those unwanted pounds fast. My guilty pleasures would have to be the big juicy quarter pounders like the ones they serve at the Burger project and Zark’s. They are especially good sizzling hot of the grill.
Do you have a sweet tooth? What sweets do you indulge in?
Yes, I have a sweet tooth and I especially enjoy chocolates. My love for chocolates spans the spectrum from the affordable classics like Goya and Chocnuts to the designer chocolates like Villa del Conte and Machiavelli.
Is there food you would never eat? What is the most unusual food you’ve ever eaten?
If there is a food I abhor, it would have to be scrambled eggs. I do not know why but scrambled eggs usually leave me feeling dizzy and nauseous.

If money were no object, What would be your ultimate foodie indulgence?
My ultimate foodie indulgence would be a nice juicy and tender slab of steak preferably dry aged for a month.

Do you cook? What do people often request you to cook?
Unfortunately, I do not have any skills in the kitchen, but I play around with cooked food. I try to add cheese
to all my food because cheese simply goes with everything.

Where is the place you usually hangout? Is there a default restaurant that you all just automatically go to when you and your dining companions can’t agree on a place?
I usually hangout in the Banawe area, which has a wide array of restaurants to choose from. I am, however, partial
to dimsum which is usually why I usually go to Causeway, King Chef and Frostea.

If you only had to eat just one food for a week, what would that be?
If I can only eat one thing for a week it would have to be Bicol Express. I can never get tired of its flaming hot flavor and the delicate creaminess and aroma of freshly squeezed coconut milk.