KFC is So Good – Share Your So Good Moments

It’s no question that one of the top fast food chains in our country is Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC). KFC is actually our favorite because of their fries, their very flavorful chicken and their original recipe gravy that we absolutely love. They also come up with new products that satisfy the taste buds of Pinoys like us.

KFC's Double Down sandwich, Chili Lime chicken, BBQ Rods and California Maki Twister - CertifiedFoodies.com

Remember KFC’s Double Down sandwich? How about their Chili Lime Chicken? And, our ultimate faves, their BBQ Rods and California Maki Twister (oh, we wish they’ll bring this back!). We remember bringing our parents to KFC just so they could get a taste of these new flavors. Yes, we share our love for food with our nanay and tatay. And even for them whose taste buds aren’t as adventurous like ours, they both loved the different flavors KFC offers every time they come out with new products.

We know you’re all very familiar with KFC’s tagline – “It’s finger lickin’ good!”. It’s one of the most memorable and popular taglines ever.

Now, KFC has decided to not just focus on the quality and delicious food you get from them, but the experience, the feeling you get when you bite into that KFC chicken cooked to perfection or any of their delightfully good offerings.

With just one bite on their chicken, you’d know it was made with the freshest poultry delivered daily, pressure-cooked to get to that right tenderness, and then prepared in-store by real chefs with KFC’s 11 secret herbs and spices that make it truly and uniquely KFC’s.

KFC is so good! - CertifiedFoodies.com

How about getting that oh-so-fulfilling sensation when you pour KFC’s original recipe gravy on your chicken and eat it with a mouthful of rice or their mashed potatoes (okay, seriously, this post is making us hungry)? Makes you want to exclaim something to express that satisfaction.

That’s why KFC’s new tagline is… wait for it… KFC's new tagline 'So Good' focuses on the experience rather than just their great flavors and food - CertifiedFoodies.com

So good… If you ask us, it’s perfect to describe KFC and the experience you get after dining in or even ordering a bucket meal for takeout.

You can check out KFC’s So Good website (http://www.kfc.com.ph/sogood) to find out more about this change. While you’re at it, check out KFC’s newly designed website – www.kfc.com.ph

 

Share Your So Good Moments and Win!

On KFC So Good Moments website, you can share your own so-good moments for a chance to qualify as one of 15 with the best so-good stories and bag one of these prizes:

– Be one of three (3) top winners who’d get eleven (11) buckets of delicious KFC chicken EACH
(Yes, dear… 11 buckets each.)

– Be one of twelve (12) winners (runner-up/consolation) who’d get KFC gift certificates

Deadline for submission of entries is August 31, 2011. So, you still got time to come up with your so-good moments.

Let us share with you ours…

 

Continue reading KFC is So Good – Share Your So Good Moments

Vosges Chocolates – New Chocolatey Sensations

It was back in December last year when I won a set of Vosges chocolates from Trip or Treats. I had Ken pick them up for me a few days after the announcement.

I know, I should’ve posted about it earlier. But, don’t worry. I can still remember exactly how each of them tasted. And pardon if I don’t have any photos of the actual chocolate bars while we were enjoying it. I accidentally deleted the whole album on our camera’s memory when we were in Pagudpud. Silly me. 😀

The set of Vosges Chocolate Bars that I won from Trip or Treats - CertifiedFoodies.com

I was pretty excited to try them out. Too bad though that when my bro came home, he already devoured that small box of Vosges Barcelona Bar. Lucky him ‘cause I was in a slightly good mood that night. Otherwise, he would need ankle braces after I’m done with him after not letting me taste that chocolate bar. 😀 Of course, I’m just kidding. Hahaha.

Trip or Treats (ToT) actually included a box with instructions on how you can savor each chocolate flavor. And I followed them to a tee… well, for my first 2 bites. 😀

See… first, there should be a glossy shine to the chocolate bar, this shows a good temper; rather, a tight bond between the cocoa butter and the cocoa mass.
Smell… rub your thumb on the chocolate to help release the aromas. Inhale the chocolate and ingredient notes deeply through your nose. Can you feel it?
Snap… quality chocolate should always be dry to the touch. Break the bar into two pieces. Hear a crisp, ringing snap, which indicates a well-tempered bar of chocolate.
Taste… place the chocolate on your tongue and press it to the roof of your mouth. Within thirty seconds, the chocolate should slowly begin to melt around your tongue. The taste should not be evanescent; it should have a long, lingering finish.
Feel… recognize the life in your body as you… benefit from the anti-oxidants in chocolate, ride the natural high of chillies, boost your immune system with some of the natural ingredients. Each bar brings its own sensations and benefits. Notice how spicy bars don’t hit you until after you have swallowed.

(quoted from ToT’s blog)

There were actually 4 small boxes of Vosges chocolates, but I can’t remember where I placed the Oaxaca Bar.

Anyway, let me tell you about the Oaxaca Bar. The description on the box says it’s made of Oaxaca Guajillo, Pasilla Chillies, Tanzanian bittersweet chocolate at 75% cacao. Yes, there are chillies mixed in the chocolates.

Vosges Oaxaca Chocolate bar - Photo from Trip or Treats - CertifiedFoodies.com
Photo from Trip or Treats

The first time I took a bite, I didn’t immediately taste the chili in there. But, when I let that bit linger in my mouth and the bittersweet chocolate started melting, I began feeling something weird in my mouth. It was my first time to get a taste of chocolate with chillies so I was surprised… delightfully so that I wanted everyone at home to get a taste of it. Definitely something memorable.

The only one that I didn’t get to try from the set I won was the Barcelona Bar. As the description says, it’s made of Hickory Smoked Almonds, Grey Sea Salt and deep milk chocolate, with 45% cacao. My bro said it was salty and sweet, which is a combination I would’ve loved from a chocolate flavor that’s new to me, if only my bro didn’t gobble up the whole bar all by himself. Argh! 😀

Vosges Barcelona Bar with Hickory smoked almonds, grey sea salt, and deep milk chocolate - CertifiedFoodies.com

Next, my second favorite is Mo’s Dark Bacon Bar. It has Applewood Smoked Bacon, Alderwood Smoked Salt, and Dark Chocolate. This had me at bacon. 😀

Vosges Mo's Dark Bacon Bar with Applewood smoked bacon, Alderwood smoked salt, and dark chocolate - CertifiedFoodies.com

At 62% cacao, the saltiness the bacon and the salt bring in with the bitterness of the dark chocolate is just so addicting! I also enjoyed the crispiness of the bacon bits mixed into the choco bar. Something every chocolate lover should definitely try!

Lastly, my favorite of all four (okay, technically, I only got to taste 3 so… :D), the Matcha Bar. Why? I super loved the combination of the Japanese Matcha Green Tea and creaminess of the milk chocolate. I loved this so much that my bro was the only other person who tried it and I only gave him a very small bit to taste. Hahaha! 😀

Vosges Matcha Bar with Japanese green tea and deep milk chocolate - CertifiedFoodies.com

As soon as I got the taste of these chocolate bars, I went to Vosges Chocolate’s website to find out more about their products. I wanted to see what other flavors they have available. Too bad though ‘cause I don’t think we have them available here in the Philippines.

Delightful new tastes of chocolate flavors - CertifiedFoodies.com

I’d like to thank Trip or Treats again for this new experience. My apologies for the late posting. But, every bite of these Vosges chocolates was truly memorable.

To you, my dear foodie friends, what unique chocolate flavors have you already enjoyed in this lifetime? Kindly share them at the comments section. 🙂

 

For the Love of Chocolates…

Written by blankpixels

Magnolia Ice Cream’s Frozen Delights & Summer Bloggers Party

Magnolia's Frozen Delights - CertifiedFoodies.com

Last week, we were invited to Magnolia’s Summer Bloggers Party for the launching of their new ice cream products, their Frozen Delights. I came with fellow foodies and bloggers who participated in their Facebook promo. It was definitely a night to remember. I’ll post more of my coverage of the event on my personal blog Just Another Pixel so stay tuned for that.

Magnolia Ice Cream's Summer Bloggers Party - CertifiedFoodies.com

Going back to the launching of Magnolia’s Frozen Delights, I was genuinely glad that they were re-launching or re-introducing Magnolia as an ice cream brand. Most of us may be a little more familiar with the flavors of other popular ice cream brands, but from all the ice cream I’ve tasted during the bloggers party, you sure would love to get a taste of these delicious new ice cream from Magnolia.

There are a total of 5 Magnolia’s Frozen Delights that were featured at the launch, one of them were introduced for the very first time so I was pretty excited to try it. It’s Magnolia’s Spinner, their very own ice cream cone. It comes in two flavors: Vanilla and Chocolate (Php 20 only).

Magnolia's Spinner, Vanilla flavor - CertifiedFoodies.com

I only got to try the Vanilla flavor. There was an ice cream-eating contest that my bro Ken and I joined and I got to try the Chocolate flavor. I loved them both, though I got brain freeze during the contest so I didn’t completely get to enjoy it. 😀

I also got to try one of Magnolia’s Fun Bar Surprise ice cream, the Cool Bubblegum flavor. I didn’t know my lips turned blue ‘til my blogger friends started laughing at me. 😀 Hahaha. Magnolia's Fun Bar Surprise and Sweetie Bites - CertifiedFoodies.com

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Pizza Hut Night : Lechon Pizza Review

Back in November, I posted about Pizza Hut’s Lechon Pizza promo on their Facebook fan page where you can win a feast or gift certificates. Well, guess what!?! I WON!!! If only I wasn’t at our computer shop, I would’ve jumped up and down in glee! I won Php 1,500 gift certificates from Pizza Hut, one of my favorite pizza joints.

I had issues with how I could claim the gift certificates because I can’t close the shop just to pick them up. That’s why I’m so grateful that they accommodated my request to have my prize shipped to my home address through courier. Thank you so much, Pizza Hut!

My Php 1,500 gift certificates from Pizza Hut - CertifiedFoodies.com

So, I had it all planned. I tagged my friends from The Burp Society (formerly known as Tomador Inc. :D) on the photo post where I won and they were the ones who were invited, too, for the pizza party. It was supposed to be a super late birthday celebration for one of my friends, and a post-Christmas and New year celebration all rolled into one.

My friend Badeth had her Pizza Hut Palm card with her. I confirmed with Pizza Hut’s customer service agent that I could use the Palm card. I was asking ’cause I thought they had another promo for delivery, like their All-You-Pay promos in the past.

What did we order? I really, really wanted to try the Lechon Pizza so we ordered one (1) large (14″) pizza for Php 499.

Pizza Hut's Lechon Pizza - CertifiedFoodies.com

At first glance, I was a li’l skeptical about the Lechon Pizza. I mean, it looked a bit greasy to me. They had a separate package for the pork roasted skin that you can either break into pieces or grind to spread all over the pizza. They even include extra sauce.

Continue reading Pizza Hut Night : Lechon Pizza Review

Yoshinoya’s Yakiniku and Katsudon – More Rants than Raves

Here’s another super overdue post.

Last August, Yoshinoya had this promo Buy 1, Take 1 on their Yakiniku and Katsudon. We haven’t tried anything from Yoshinoya yet so we decided to head to their branch in SM Mall of Asia to take advantage of the promo with our printouts of the coupon.

Yoshinoya - CertifiedFoodies.com

When we got there, the Yoshinoya girl at the counter told us there’s no pork available for the Katsudon. We can only choose between chicken or fish. Since it was Kien who wanted that, we gave him the choice. He opted for the Chicken Katsudon.

Before I even let you know what we think about the Katsudon and Yakiniku, I just wanted to say that I was extremely disappointed with Yoshinoya’s crew in SM MOA. When we got there, most of the tables inside their store were already occupied except for this one almost at the corner, with sofas on both sides. The table still needed to be cleaned and we looked around to ask for assistance. There were 3 crew members just chattering away at the other side of the store, near the comfort room (I guess). We called them out. They looked at our direction, then went on with their chattering, ignoring us. We had to call out the attention of the crew at the counter to ask someone to clean up our table. While Kien was doing this, I already started clearing our table.

Sorry, but it really irritates me when people don’t perform their jobs well. I mean, I’m okay with the chattering, but if a customer calls your attention to request assistance, you should accommodate them! Those 3 crew members (1 woman, 2 men) didn’t even bother to call someone else if they were too freaking busy to assist us. Sheesh. As much as I wanted to talk to their manager because of their behavior, I decided not to ’cause we just started our day. And we thought we were going to enjoy a good meal at Yoshinoya.

Going back to the food, we had 2 separate coupons for the Yakiniku and Katsudon. So, we ended up with 4 bowls to share among us 3.

Yoshinoya's Beef Yakiniku and Chicken Katsudon - CertifiedFoodies.com

First, let me tell you about their Chicken Katsudon. It was just plain Katsudon. Nothing really memorable. Kien makes a better Katsudon actually. Plus, one of the chicken pieces we got had this burnt taste. We didn’t finish them because the chicken was also not tender at all.

Yoshinoya's Chicken Katsudon - CertifiedFoodies.com

Next, the Beef Yakiniku. We enjoyed it more than the Katsudon. Though it was too sweet for Mai, I still enjoyed it a lot. I just wish there’s not much fat there.

Yoshinoya's Beef Yakiniku - CertifiedFoodies.com

I’ve heard of raves about Yoshinoya’s Katsudon and Yakiniku, so I was quite surprised that we were disappointed by what we tasted. Our first dining experience at Yoshinoya left a bad taste in my mouth to the point that I would’ve needed Olay Regenerist or some kind of anti-aging cream to hide the frustration on my face as we left their SM MOA store. My guess is those people who are raving about Yoshinoya dined in their other branches. Or, it could be because they had a buy one, take one promo, they weren’t concerned about the quality of their food.

We really thought we’d have a great meal at Yoshinoya that’s why it was the first thing on our itinerary that day. When we finished our meals, we weren’t full and satisfied. It did affect our day. Now, I don’t know if I’d want to try Yoshinoya’s food again. But, maybe…just maybe… I’ll try their Beef Yakiniku again, their Gyudon and other items on their menu at another branch.

Gelatissimo : My First Gelato Experience

Yes, it’s my first time enjoying a cup of gelato. And all I can say is I don’t think I’m going back to eating plain ice cream very soon. Thanks to Gelatissimo Cafe at Trinoma!

Gelatissimo Cafe in Trinoma - CertifiedFoodies.com

If you’re not yet familiar what gelato is, it’s actually Italy’s variant of ice cream. It’s mostly made up of the same ingredients as other frozen dairy desserts, but the difference is how it’s frozen. Also, gelato is known to have less butterfat and sugar contents. I guess that’s why it became an instant hit here in the Philippines.

Kien and I desperately wanted to try gelato after reading  “Eat, Pray, Love”. Since we were scheduled to watch The Social Network at Trinoma, we decided to head out to Gelatissimo.

Gelatissimo flavors - CertifiedFoodies.com

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Krispy Kreme’s Baked Creations

Krispy Kreme's Baked Creations - CertifiedFoodies.comA few months ago (yes, this is a long overdue post), Krispy Kreme launched their new line of goodies – Baked Creations. They had a Brunch Buddy Treats promo in September where the first 100 for each Krispy Kreme branch to post about their brunch buddy on Krispy Kreme’s Facebook page will receive a free brunch.

My brother Kien and I joined the promo. We’re big fans of Krispy Kreme’s glazed doughnuts so we were excited to try their new baked goodies. Initially, we had separate branches because we didn’t have any plans yet on where we’ll be claiming our free brunch. When we finally decided to go to Greenhills for our bi-monthly food trip, I requested if I can claim my free brunch there along with my bro.

I didn’t get a response yet regarding my request when we arrived in Krispy Kreme Greenhills on the 30th of September. But, I’m sure glad they accommodated my request. And, I would like to commend their staff at their Greenhills branch. They were all oh-so friendly. Thumbs up! ^_^

Going back to Krispy Kreme’s new Baked Creations, there are actually two variants to choose from – Pull Aparts and Kruffins. My bro and I decided we try one from each variant. Our free brunch included free Orange You Glad. I find it very refreshing. It’s a mix of navel, mandarin and tangerine orange flavors.Krispy Kreme Orange You Glad - CertifiedFoodies.comThe Baked Creations Pull Aparts are for those who prefer savory flavors for breakfast. They tasted like croissant with added flavor, mostly because of the toppings, meat and dips that come along with them. They have 4 flavors that you can choose from: Cheese (Php 65), Sausage and Cheese (Php 70), Bacon and Cheese (Php 70), and Cinnamon (Php 65). Kien chose the one with bacon, of course.

Krispy Kreme Pull Apart Bacon and Cheese - CertifiedFoodies.com

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