Call it premonition or even anticipation, but in the days leading up to Dia Frampton’s arrival, I had yet to finalize the menu I would cook for her and her party, which included manager Mike Kaminsky and guitarist Danny Bemrose.  When they finally indicated their intentions to visit the house, Mike mentioned what I sort of anticipated (even if I had no proof); Mike and Dia were vegetarian.

I was determined to give them a taste of true Filipino food and a taste of the dishes I do on Curiosity Got the Chef, and this meant modifying dishes without the chance to kitchen test them. Oh well, why not?  As for the guest list, I was tempted not to invite anyone else. It wasn’t because of my greed to have them for myself, but more of I was serving a menu I never cooked together before, plus I couldn’t completely believe the dinner was happening! Having gotten over my fears, I invited several of my friends who I knew were fans too.  College buddy Bianca, Dia fan, who I exchanged notes with when watching the Voice, Filipino writer Mina Esguerra, who is coincidentally my editor at www.mangojuiced.com , teacher Aimee, who ended up helping me pick up Dia and her party from the hotel, were the first ones I texted.  Remembering Dia was set to visit Magic 89.9 the following day for an interview on the show On Demand, I also invited Carla Dunareanu, On Demand host and her special friend, some random guy named Christian Bautista. (I know. My help went nuts when they found out too.)

I volunteered to pick Dia and her party up on Sunday, a day after her Hard Rock Café show because I figured the ride could help break the ice. What’s amazing was the Voice superstar volunteered to take a cab so I wouldn’t be “too stressed!” I would have none of it, but it did speak volumes of what kind of a person Dia was, eh? 

From the car, and all throughout the night, Dia, Mike and Danny were just awesome to talk with.  We quickly found common ground as they found out I had won my cooking show through a reality show, much like Dia. The conversations, with the help of my esteemed guests, organically went through a multitude of topics like the Voice, Filipino food, whether or not I should be flattered to be considered the Filipino Jamie Oliver, gun violence, President Obama, Dia’s schooling, Blake Shelton, the beauty of Utah, L.A. restaurants, the Kitchen Musical, Mina’s books and why they’re called Chick Lit and much much more.  What did I tell you? Dia? Whip smart, lively and perhaps most importantly to us Filipinos, candid and forthcoming.

The highlight of my night came at the start of the meal, as I served my first course, Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Kang Kong.  While all chefs love a compliment about how great their food is, what I truly appreciated was when Dia said that this dish felt like “I knew her,” because it’s a dish she really loves to eat.   I promise you, all chefs, even the macho ones, are all after that kind of a compliment.  That gave me the confidence to continue serving my food, which is modern, no-pretensions, Filipino food.  The rest of the evening featured my latest dish, Savory Bicho Bicho w/ Ginataang Chili Leaves, Tofu with Bistek Onions and Duo of Chocolate Chili Leche Flan and Tablea Brownie.  I also served some pomelo and for some kicks, I did bring out some Fried Crocodile with Spicy Guava Glaze.  While most tried, Dia and Mike, understandably did not.

Over the empty plates and sterling conversation, I had to take a moment to appreciate the dinner.  How awesome was it to have Dia Frampton over to my place, and serve her Filipino food? Not as awesome as the realization that I may have provided what Dia and her party really needed; a break from all the hard work where they could just sit back and relax.  (to be concluded)

P.S. Much thanks to my apprentice cook, Czar Alejandro, who was invaluable to me that night.

P.P.S. Additional photos of our dinner are here http://www.mangojuiced.com/2013/01/11/food/chef-sharwins-vegetarian-dinner-with-dia-the-voice-aka-the-dia-frampton-menu/