Lechon, the roasted crisp pork that unites all Filipinos and draws absolutely anyone out of any sort of diet or abstinence. Having lechon tells you that whoever is hosting the party means business: today you will eat and you will eat well. Lucky are the turkeys of America for they only get hunted and served once a year; lechon is the all-year round centerpiece to any celebration in the Philippines, big or small. Actually, scratch that; no celebration is small once you have lechon on the table! That's even more true when you have Pepita's Kitchen's lechon de leche. That's baby pig to you -- natural, free-range, native baby pig. In the hands of Dedet Dela Fuente, the Lechon Diva herself, whose home is opened to friends and strangers alike, this baby pig is stuffed with foie gras, or curry, or an assemblage of Chinese delicacies. It is absolutely sinful, there is just no way around it: you will pay for this with your health, but hey, life is short. Valar Morghulis, and I would rather have enjoyed a pig this good than never in my life. Of course, aside from your blood pressure, you also pay a price for this delicacy of delicacies. However, while the lechon de leche ranges from 7 to 11 thousand pesos,(depending on size of pig and season i.e. good luck getting an order during Christmas time) I've seen it serve about 15 people in a table with seconds. That's because the lechon de leche is stuffed with rice along with either foie gras or even sisig. (Yes.) There are numerous stuffings from laksa to German sausages to Spanish paella. These are the ones you can order for pick-up or dinner at Pepita's Kitchen itself. And it will be a great main event alongside other dishes; I mean, you can't have all lechon throughout the night... Or can you? When you avail of the lechon degustation, expect 8 to 12 dishes of sin after sin after sin. Lechon starter here, lechon chicken there, a lechon sorbet, a lechon butter, etc etc. It's crazy! Bring the family, plan a barkada night, and make yourselves at home at Dedet's Pepita's Kitchen. Dedet is awesome, an excellent host and a lovely woman. (It may come out to 1,500 to 2,500 per person but it will be worth it!) read more