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 Starting just about a decade ago – on May 18, 1994, February 22, 1995, March 20 1996 and March 18, 1997 – Les Toque Blanche Philippines held its first, second, third and fourth LTB Golf Classics in annual succession. The first two were held at the Manila Southwoods, the third at the Arnold Palmer at the Orchard in Cavite, while the last one took place at the Tagaytay Highlands Golf and Country Club.
In the early part of 1997, the success of these predecessors spawned a “menu” by particularly eager chefs (led by propagators Werner Berger, Othmar Frei and other member of and culinary colleagues of Les Toques Blanche, Philippines) aimed at bringing about a genuine get-together of all culinary professionals from all over Southeast Asia. The idea of course was to break the mold – not to do so with a conventional congress or culinary event, but rather via a relaxing and disarming sports event interspersed, seamlessly, with culinary indulgence.
SEAC 1998
Thus was born The Southeast Asian Chefs Golf Tournament on January 19th and 20th, 1998. It was to be the seed of today’s spectacular showcase, and unfolded respectively at the Tagaytay Highlands Golf & Country Club and Evercrest Batulao. Two groups, the format of which is still followed today, were formed – that Culinary and Sponsorships teams. The Awarding ceremonies that year were held at the Gold Ranch Steak House.
SEAC 2000
This second edition of SEAC could already be recognized as a reasonable facsimile of what now transpires every two years. Both rounds of golf were held, alternatively, at the two courses of the Riviera Golf and Country Club in Silang, Cavite; the Fred Couples and the Bernard Langer. Undoubtedly what can be called a highlight of this second edition was the night in between the two rounds of golf, an outrageously fun-filled party at the Xanadu Discotheque at the Tagaytay Highlands. It was a costumed event wherein the likes of Foie Dunaway and Bridgitte Bar Goat vied for the 1st gravy Awards 2000.
SEAC 2002
 Two years ago, attendance reached an impressive 112 Executive Chefs, restaurateurs, F&B Managers, Country Ambassadors including dozens of Philippine-based and local business executives. The number of countries from which participants came broadened to include countries not just from Asia, the Middle East and Europe, but now there were Americans and even residents of Trinidad & Tobago. By then the reputation of SEAC had reached such proportions that almost 20 non-golfing participants came to participate in the sheer fun, frolic and revelry of the burgeoning phenomenon called SEAC.
This time the guests were all billeted at the Mandarin Oriental Manila, where on the final evening, in its grand Ball Room, the Awarding Ceremonies were carried out and punctuated by the surprise appearance of Willy Nepomuceno – nationally renowned singer, comedian, actor and impersonator extraordinaire who did a deft rendition of the ex President “Erap” Estrada, among the slew of other imitations he did.
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