Iloilo City will host a five-day festival of food in April to honor the culinary excellence of Western Visayas and celebrate its title as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. The festival will showcase the best of Ilonggo cuisine, featuring traditional dishes, innovative creations, coffee and cacao-based products, cooking demonstrations, and symposia on culinary topics.
Iloilo City to Host Festival of Food in April
( Credit to: Pna )
Iloilo City is gearing up to host an incredible five-day festival of food in April, celebrating the culinary excellence of Western Visayas. As the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Creative City of Gastronomy in the Philippines, the city has a lot to showcase and honor.
The festival aims to be a feast for the senses, highlighting the best of Ilonggo cuisine. From traditional dishes to innovative creations that bring out the unique flavors and ingredients of the region, attendees can expect a diverse range of culinary experiences.
Discover the Flavors of Ilonggo Cuisine
The Iloilo City Festival of Food, scheduled for April 26-30, promises to be a gastronomic delight. Each day, there will be a showcase of culinary innovation, with local chefs preparing and offering food tastings of Ilonggo delicacies.
Attendees can savor famous dishes like La Paz batchoy, pancit molo, and "tinuom" from the town of Cabatuan. Additionally, there will be a buffet of mangoes from the municipality of Leon and a chevon fest from San Miguel town. For those with a sweet tooth, desserts such as baye-baye, biscocho, and butterscotch will also be available.
But the festival doesn't stop at traditional dishes. Coffee and cacao-based products will also take the spotlight. Municipalities like Cabatuan will showcase their cacao and coffee products, along with different coffee makers, offering attendees a chance to explore the rich flavors of Ilonggo coffee and chocolate.
Cooking Demonstrations and Symposia
One of the highlights of the festival will be the cooking demonstrations by home-grown chefs. Visitors will have the opportunity to witness the skills of local chefs and learn tips and techniques for recreating authentic Ilonggo dishes.
Moreover, symposia will be held during the festival, covering various topics like traditional cooking methods, ingredient sourcing, marketing, packaging, and flavor pairings. These sessions will provide valuable insights into the culinary world and help attendees gain a deeper understanding of Ilonggo cuisine.
Sustaining Iloilo City's Gastronomy
Dr. Tina Sudario, a faculty member of the Iloilo City Community College, emphasizes the role of municipalities in sustaining Iloilo City's title as a Gastronomy City. The involvement of farmers and the supply chain is crucial, as most of the raw materials used in Ilonggo cuisine come from the province of Iloilo.
The festival aims to introduce and involve farmers in supporting the city's culinary innovations, creating a sustainable ecosystem that benefits both the local community and visitors.
Explore the Best Dishes with the Iloilo Food Map
As part of the festival, the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts will collaborate with the city government's MICE office to launch a food map. This map will guide food enthusiasts in exploring the best dishes in the city, ensuring that no culinary gem goes undiscovered.
Indulge in the Rich Culinary Heritage of Western Visayas
The Iloilo City Festival of Food is a unique opportunity for both locals and visitors to indulge in the flavors and creations that make Ilonggo cuisine truly exceptional. From traditional favorites to innovative dishes, this festival celebrates the rich culinary heritage of Western Visayas.
Mark your calendars for April 26-30 and get ready to embark on a gastronomic adventure in Iloilo City!