Inspired by Ivan Man Dy’s Binondo Food Wok-ing Tour, I am heeding the call of my inner foodie. Here is the photo journal of a wannabe, trying-hard gourmand.

Some excerpts, to whet your appetite:

This is literally mountain food. All these ingredients were picked by chef and set designer Jay Herrera from his garden in Kinabuhayan Café and cooked in whatever manner that may have occured to him at the time. The black chips are eggplant slices marinated in soy sauce, and the rice is a heavy, filling mixture of various vegetables, cooked in yummy chicken stock. Yes, the flowers are edible too.

(Side note: I miss Banahaw!)

Patisserie love in Capri, Italy.

Oh gracious. This herb-roasted chicken made go ooooh and aaah. Not many things can make me do that. This is plump, tender chicken roasted with sage, thyme and oregano, served with sweet sauce. At the regular size, it’s already big enough to feed two very hungry girls.

At La Mansion Trinoma.

These pretzel sellers can be found on virtually every street in Istanbul.

Hungry for more? Go here.