What about Madrid Fusión Manila excites you the most?

We all love food. It brings us together whether here or abroad. In less than two weeks, our country will have the chance to experience Madrid Fusión Manila, the most important Spanish gastronomy congress, bringing together the most prestigious and innovative chefs from all over the world.

Madrid Fusión Manila presents a unique opportunity for chefs, food aficionados, and food and beverage company professionals to come together, learn new things and share their talent, expertise, as well as products. It has a solid 12-year track record of bridging together cultures through good food. It is where the world goes to see the future of food.

Our top chefs have volunteered to showcase what our country and the agricultural sector have to offer. We asked some of them what they’re most excited about Madrid Fusión Manila and below are their answers.

Madrid Fusion is slated for April 24 to 26 at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City.

Chef Robby Goco of Cyma and Green Pastures

That local indigenous ingredients will take center stage. Excellence in our cuisine.

Chef Vicente “Enting” Lobaton of Enting’s Special Sagay

I’m proud and honored to have been selected as one of the chefs to cook for the Madrid Fusión in Manila. I’m also excited to introduce and promote my hometown Sagay City and the province of Negros Occidental through my dishes ( kinilaw and grass-fed lamb), which reflect our rich culinary heritage and love of food. I am very thankful to Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Undersecretary Berna Puyat for giving me this opportunity to showcase the best of Negrense cuisine to the world.

Chef Jackie Laudico

I’m very excited for the synergy that will result from passionate Filipino chefs and the best Spanish chefs, which will really propel our food to the top. I have advocated and promoted Filipino cuisine in all my restaurants for years now. So this is a very positive development for me. Finally, more Filipino chefs promoting Filipino cuisine and being proud of it for the world.

Chef Tony Boy Escalante of Antonio’s (recently included in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants)

I’m excited about the opportunity to cook for some of the best chefs in the world. And show the rest of the world what Filipinos have known all along — our food is delicious and uniquely our own.

Chef Happy Ongpauco Tiu of Pamana and Tsokolateria

I’m excited to cook for the world’s renowned chefs and introduce to them our amazing local cuisine. But more than that, I am proud to share that I will be showcasing Luzon’s famous dish, crispy pata, which my father, Rod Ongpauco, invented back in the ‘60s. I’m looking forward to presenting my family’s culinary heritage with creativity and innovation.

Chef Miko Aspiras of Scouts Honor, Le Petit Soufflé and Magnum Manila

I’m excited about a lot of things when it comes to Madrid Fusión Manila: to be able to meet top Spanish chefs, to be able to work elbow to elbow with them and probably learn a thing or two. I’m also excited to showcase the Filipino talent and artistry when it comes to food, especially on desserts.

Chef JP Anglo of Sarsa

I’m excited that Spanish chefs will get to try Filipino food too, and not just the other way around. I’m excited to put Filipino food on the world stage.

Chef Jordy Navarra of Black Sheep

I’m most excited about having world- class chefs and foodies from all over the world come visit Manila and experience our food and our culture. We have a lot to share to the world and it’s such a wonderful opportunity to have them visit us and experience Manila and the Philippines firsthand.

Chef Mark Tan of Allium Restaurant in Makati

I’m most looking forward to being able to learn from some of the best and brightest culinary minds both locally and from abroad that will be at the event. I’m also looking forward to being able to demonstrate that there are worldclass ingredients that are local to us but also to show that there is world-class culinary talent in the Philippines.

Tippi Tambunting of Masseto and Donosti

I am excited to taste and see what all the chefs are preparing and hopefully I’ll be able to cook with or meet some of the Michelin-star chefs that will be in town. I am also discovering all these great ingredients available in the provinces and I hope it can also be readily available for everyone.

Chef Josh Boutwood of The Bistro Group

Having the largest gathering of chefs bringing with them centuries of experience and expertise is definitely a spectacle to be excited about. The Philippines has deep roots in Hispanic cuisine and culture so I’m interested in seeing how much synergy between the two can manifest. As a participating chef in the Luzon Regional Lunch I am truly excited to showcase our islands’ amazing ingredients and my style of cooking.

Chef Roland Laudico

I’m excited to learn a lot from foreign chefs and food industry professionals and in turn would love to show them what wonderful local flavors the Philippines can offer.