Philippines whet tourists’ appetite with food festivals

APRIL is dubbed “food month” in the Philippines as it readies to host two international culinary events – Madrid Fusion Manila and World Food Street Congress – in addition to a month-long gastronomic feast across the country.

“This is an opportunity for us to share to a global audience the richness and contemporary edge of Filipino gastronomy,” said Tourism Promotions Board COO Domingo Ramon Enerio III.

A highlight of the food month is Madrid Fusion Manila taking place from April 7 to 9, said Enerio, which will feature a larger contingent of world-renowed and Michelin-star chefs in its second edition this year.

Expected to draw some 1,000 tourists, Madrid Fusion Manila will feature Spanish and Asian chefs, including Joan Roca of three-Michelin-star El Celler de Can Roca, S Pellegrino’s world’s best restaurant for 2015; Eneko Atxa of two-Michelin-star Azurmendi Restaurant in Basque, Spain; and Yoshihiro Narisawa of three-Michelin-star Les Creations de Narisawa in Tokyo.

The World Street Food Congress, which were held in Singapore for past two years, will take place in Manila from April 6 to 9, confirmed Enerio.

A big hit in Singapore, the Food Congress promotes comfort and street food in a bid to preserve food culture and heritage, professionalise the street food craft and open business opportunities.

Projected to bring in about 1,000 tourists, the Philippines might negotiate to be the venue for the World Street Food Congress next year depending on the success of the event.

Taking place in conjunction with the April food month is the Flavours of the Philippines, a food festival featuring food markets and curated Filipino menus in numerous establishments around the country, Enerio said.

Flavours of the Philippines will include activities such as kulinarya tours, cooking lessons and demo, food fiestas and sales, weekend markets in Legazpi Village, Makati and Centris in Quezon City, among others.

Read more ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2016 stories in the digital edition of our Show Dailies here.

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