Cebu's culinary icon

When you walk into the Beehive Restaurant on F. Ramos Street in the "Queen City of the South," you walk into Cebu's gastronomical history. The once four-table "merendero" in the late forties, expanding into a medium size diner in the "fabulous fifties", a gathering of Cebu's old guard who brought their "who's-who" guests for a taste of old world Spanish cooking, and American style steaks, is today a landmark of Cebu's prime case of good food.

At any given time in those long gone "genteel" days, one could spot national and international political bigwigs like the Osmeñas, big business tycoons like "Don Andres Soriano," "Benny Toda" and his jetsetters, local entertainment luminaries, and even Hollywood legend "Glenn Ford", in a rare Cebu visit, "polishing their palates" with the menu of the day. Who was, or is responsible for all this success, one might ask; why none other than ageless beauty, multi-awarded culinary artist Hazel Gonzalez.

Gustatory diva of the "old south", perennially chic Hazel Gonzalez celebrated her natal day recently with a dinner party at her watering hole of exquisite food "the Beehive". Cebu's stylish ladies and colossal business gentlemen, friends from "ons" ago, the likes of Choy and Rosebud Sala, Hank and Lulu Aboitiz, Danny and Zeny Deen, Michel and Amparito Lhuillier, British Consul Moya and Anthony Jackson, Harry and Carmen Campbell, Luis and Teresita Mendezona, copra magnate Nene Miranda, philanthropic Piluling Aldanese, Maricita and Michael Cancio, mega eventologist Teresin Mendezona, Jolina Muertegui, elusive sisters Connie Taylor and Carmina Klinger, Annie Woolbright, Evelyn, Anita, Melissa and Janet Ugarte, Chary and Maryanne Aboitiz, Vicky Moraza, Rico Rotea, rehabilitation expert Tico Aldanese, Angie Mathieu and a few other Cebu blue bloods wetted their appetite with prime Chilean red and white wines, in time for the gourmet feast that followed.

For starters there was Filo of Spinach, Ritz with Cheese, Pizza Turnovers and Deviled Eggs. The main courses consisted of Orange and Pomelo Salad Roast Tom Turkey (so tender it melted in your mouth) with Stuffing, Roast Prime Rib of Beef with String Beans and Young Corn, and Spinach Lasagna; for desert there was a Pilgrim Cake to die for.

Assisting the "hostess with the mostest in red Hazel G. and doing the "Happy Birthday" honors were her sons and their better halves Eddie and Therese Gonzalez, Bruno and Aiyen Gonzalez and grand-daughter Aimil and Marco Sarmiento. Much reminiscing and anecdotes of the good old days culminated the wonderful evening.

To our much loved Auntie Hazel and everybody's friend may you have many, many more years of style, love and success…...NOUS!*