A Showcase of Local Cuisine
The Department of Tourism (DOT) recently held a food-and-travel festival to showcase authentic Philippine cuisine. Titled “KAIN NA!” the event took place simultaneously in two cities from October 12 to14 – at the Ayala Malls Legazpi and Ayala Center Cebu.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat endorsed the three-day food extravaganza, in a bid to promote the country as a world-class gastronomy destination. “Kain na!” literally means “Let’s eat!”
Food will always be one of the things you will consider in the places you visit,” says DOT secretary Puyat. “Food has always been a part of one’s travel itinerary. And culinary tourism actually works.” Per DOT’s Annual Visitor Sample Survey 2017, spending on food and beverages comprises almost one-third of the tourist total expenditure. And 93 percent of tourists have engaged in a unique food or beverage experience, per the 2016 Food Travel Monitor of the World Food Travel Association.
Filipino chefs from prominent restaurants and hotels are to serve their best Filipino recipes, including Bicol Express, Cebu lechon, kare-kare, Humba de Ronda, and kinilaw. Headlining the presentations as well are chefs Andhei Nacion of Oriental Hotel; Marc Milo Mercader, Edsel Falcotelo, and Edward Emil Eugenio of Lola Sayong Eco-Surfing Camp; Bong Aspe of First Colonial Grill; Ruel Legson of Misibis Bay Resort; Marica Buenaflor of Que Pasa; and Enrico Calleja of Casa Simeon from Bicol. In Cebu, chefs June Fernandez of Cebu Parklane International Hotel; Marlou Almasco of Golden Prince Hotel; Richard Hao of University of San Jose Recoletos; Deofrey Vistal of Radisson Blue Cebu; Vincent Caracut of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu and Anthony Choa of Ralfe Gourmet highlight the local dishes of Central Visayas.
“This event will prove the country as a vibrant culinary tourism destination and create awareness of the richly-diverse Filipino cuisine,” Puyat stressed.
Exhibitors from regional farm tourism associations, DOT-accredited farm tour operators, farm cooperatives, and the academe are also participating. Succeeding KAIN NA! launches are scheduled at Ayala North Point in Bacolod (November 16-18), Abreeza Mall in Davao (November 16-18), Marquee Mall in Pampanga (December 8-10), Centrio Ayala in Cagayan de Oro (November 23-25), and Ayala Malls Solenad in Laguna (December 7-9).