Ryan Morales Reyes, more popularly known as Ninong Ry, shares what was happening behind-the-scenes of his recent event with world-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay.
The Filipino chef and content creator was invited to participate in a halo-halo showdown hosted by Gordon during the celebrity chef's visit to Manila.
In his latest YouTube vlog, Ninong Ry revealed that while he felt tense during the event, he did his best to stay composed and enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"Hindi lang siguro halata pero super tense ako buong araw dyan. Pinipilit kong maging kalmado. Naiiyak kasi talaga ako. Imagine mo, ako? Akong nananahimik lang sa bahay, nagtatrabaho, minding my own business, e maiinvite sa gantong event? I feel like hindi ko deserve mapunta sa gantong sitwasyon pero at the same time, sobrang grateful ako. As in," Ninong Ry confessed in the comment section of his YouTube vlog.
Ninong Ry remarked that it was a dream come true to be able to collaborate with Gordon. "Sa video na to, nakikita nyo na natutupad ang pangarap ko. Pangarap na kamakailan lang e alam kong imposible pero hindi ko tinigilangang ipagdasal. Minsan nga pag dinadasal ko e parang nahihiya na ko sa Panginoon kasi sobrang dami na nyang ibinasbas sakin tapos nanghihingi pa ako? Pero sadyang mabuti ang Panginoon," he remarked.
The Filipino chef then expressed his gratitude to his followers for supporting him over the years which ultimately led to this incredible opportunity. "Sa totoo lang, kung hindi naman dahil sa inyong lahat na nanonood e hindi naman mangyayari tong bagay na to kaya sa inyong lahat, salamat. Patuloy ko pang pagbubutihan. Patuloy kong papatunayan sa inyo na hindi sayang o mali ang sinusuportahan nyo. Mahal ko kayong lahat. Walang katapusang pasasalamat sa inyo!"
In the video, Ninong Ry documented the halo-halo showdown he participated in alongside celebrity chef and restaurateur Judy Ann Santos, culinary student Danica Lucero, and Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill Philippines head chef Bea Therese Qua.
During the halo-halo showdown, Ninong Ry was asked by Gordon about his strategy on making his halo-halo.
"I'm not focusing too much on the ingredients. I'm focusing more on the dairy. It passes every ingredient, it coats every ingredient so that's what I'm focusing on," he told Gordon.
In the tasting portion, Gordon commented on Ninong Ry's halo-halo: "That is sweet."
The British celebrity chef then quipped: "I can feel my arteries jamming up. I came here to open a restaurant not for a heart bypass operation."
Ninong Ry then joked: "We have very good doctors here."
By the end of the vlog, Ninong Ry explained how his halo-halo creation came to be.
"Ang idea ko dun sa sa halo-halo was 'yung gatas 'yung papasarapin ko kasi alam kong hindi makakain ni chef Gordon Ramsay ng buo, so sabi ko nag-provide ako ng straw para higupin ang gatas. Sabi ko, kung ito ay gatas lang at katas lang ng minatamis, wala masyadong lasa 'to," he recalled.
"So sabi ko paano ko imo-modify 'yung gatas in such a way na mabibigyan mo ng kakaibanglasa - latik, coco jam. Hinalo ko 'yung coco jam, natunaw, hindi naman siya gaano katamis. Ngayon dito lumabas 'yung problema. Nagtitingin ako ng ingredients. May nakita ako dulce de leche. Medyo caramel din 'yung lasa nito, within the same spectrum ng latik. So yelo, dulce de leche, yelo, tapos sinunod ko pa rin 'yung initial plan ko na maglalagay ako ng latik sa taas."
He recounted: "Kitang-kita ko 'yung straw ni Gordon Ramsay, tinuhog 'yung straw dumaan sa latik, dumaan sa dulce de leche, tapos dumaan ulit sa latik na pinahid ko sa gilid, pagkahigop niya. 'Hmmm... ang tamis!"
Despite the results, Ninong Ry remarked that he enjoyed and was very grateful for the experience. "Nag-enjoy ako, ang saya, kakaibang experience. Definitely one for the books," he said.
He then quipped: "Again, Mr. Gordon Ramsay, if you wanna come back to the Philippines like what you did before, you pay your own plane ticket and then we collab like this. I'm gonna redeem myself to the halo-halo."