Healthy food can be delicious, and this chef's Michelin star-quality eats are proof | ABS-CBN
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Healthy food can be delicious, and this chef's Michelin star-quality eats are proof
Healthy food can be delicious, and this chef's Michelin star-quality eats are proof
Karen Flores Layno,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 26, 2025 01:28 AM PHT
Chef Heinz Beck in Manila. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
Chef Heinz Beck in Manila. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News When an acclaimed chef is in town to serve dinner, it's not an opportunity you'd want to pass up.
When an acclaimed chef is in town to serve dinner, it's not an opportunity you'd want to pass up.
Heinz Beck of La Pergola, Rome's only 3 Michelin-starred restaurant, was recently brought to Manila by Solaire Resort Entertainment City as part of its 12th anniversary celebrations.
Heinz Beck of La Pergola, Rome's only 3 Michelin-starred restaurant, was recently brought to Manila by Solaire Resort Entertainment City as part of its 12th anniversary celebrations.
He prepared an exquisite 6-course dinner at Solaire's Finestra restaurant from March 14 to 16, completing the luxury resort's star chef lineup (the two others were Japan's Jun Yukimura and Singapore-based Sun Kim).
He prepared an exquisite 6-course dinner at Solaire's Finestra restaurant from March 14 to 16, completing the luxury resort's star chef lineup (the two others were Japan's Jun Yukimura and Singapore-based Sun Kim).
German-born Beck is considered one of the masters of gastronomy in the world--obviously, all of us guests knew we were in for a treat. Despite this, his dishes still exceeded our expectations, with standouts including the hearty pumpkin risotto topped with a generous amount of shaved black truffle; and the gorgeous red fruit ice sphere with tea cream and crystallized raspberries.
German-born Beck is considered one of the masters of gastronomy in the world--obviously, all of us guests knew we were in for a treat. Despite this, his dishes still exceeded our expectations, with standouts including the hearty pumpkin risotto topped with a generous amount of shaved black truffle; and the gorgeous red fruit ice sphere with tea cream and crystallized raspberries.
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Pumpkin risotto with amaretti, artichokes, balsamic vinegar, and black truffle. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
Pumpkin risotto with amaretti, artichokes, balsamic vinegar, and black truffle. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News 
Pistachio-crusted veal with dried fruits. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
Pistachio-crusted veal with dried fruits. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News 
Red fruit ice sphere with tea cream and crystallized raspberries. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
Red fruit ice sphere with tea cream and crystallized raspberries. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News But beyond his delightful flavor and texture combinations--which he definitely delivers in spades--Beck wants to highlight the health aspect of food in his dishes.
But beyond his delightful flavor and texture combinations--which he definitely delivers in spades--Beck wants to highlight the health aspect of food in his dishes.
He firmly believes that food should not only be delicious but also nourishing, seeing it as a form of medicine that can help keep us in tip-top shape. "The health part of the food is as important as the enjoyment of it," the chef stressed.
He firmly believes that food should not only be delicious but also nourishing, seeing it as a form of medicine that can help keep us in tip-top shape. "The health part of the food is as important as the enjoyment of it," the chef stressed.
Beck has made it his mission to create Michelin star-quality healthy menus, removing non-essential ingredients and using nutritious alternatives.
Beck has made it his mission to create Michelin star-quality healthy menus, removing non-essential ingredients and using nutritious alternatives.
This was also evident in our meal--antioxidants from the crushed chocolate sprinkled on top of the marinated amberjack; and the green gazpacho packed with vitamins from avocado and green and yellow bell peppers, and protein from the scampo (langoustine).
This was also evident in our meal--antioxidants from the crushed chocolate sprinkled on top of the marinated amberjack; and the green gazpacho packed with vitamins from avocado and green and yellow bell peppers, and protein from the scampo (langoustine).
Marinated amberjack with celeriac in sea water and oxidized chocolate. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
Marinated amberjack with celeriac in sea water and oxidized chocolate. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News 
Scampo with sweet peppers and green gazpacho. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
Scampo with sweet peppers and green gazpacho. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News 
Sedanini pasta with red shrimps, smoked aubergine coulis, and croutons. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News
Sedanini pasta with red shrimps, smoked aubergine coulis, and croutons. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News "Avocado is very rich in fat and also vitamins," noted Beck. "That's why I always use a plant fat, not one coming from animals. Because animal fat is not good for our blood vessels, not good for the heart."
"Avocado is very rich in fat and also vitamins," noted Beck. "That's why I always use a plant fat, not one coming from animals. Because animal fat is not good for our blood vessels, not good for the heart."
"All this research that I'm doing is going into my cooking," added the chef, who has published books focusing on blood pressure and healthy eating.
"All this research that I'm doing is going into my cooking," added the chef, who has published books focusing on blood pressure and healthy eating.
"It's important to consider what we are serving," he ended, hoping to show by example that top-end cuisine can be healthy.
"It's important to consider what we are serving," he ended, hoping to show by example that top-end cuisine can be healthy.
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