Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Filipino restaurateur and Asia’s Best Female Chef of the year Margarita Forès welcomed foreign delegates with a special tour of the Cubao Farmers Market on Wednesday (April 6). This kicks off the second edition of the gastronomic congress Madrid Fusiòn Manila.
The event will be held from April 7 to 9 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
Curious, passionate, and critically-acclaimed chefs from Europe got a taste of the Philippines’ flavors through some of the best autochthonous fruits and dishes the country has to offer.
“I enjoyed a lot, getting to know new ingredients that I didn’t know, some of the fruits and flavors for some we have same variety but being able to taste them all it was very inspiring,” said Chef Fernando Perez-Arellano.
“East Meets West” is the theme of this year’s Madrid Fusiòn, which celebrates the 450th anniversary of the Galleon Trade that linked Asia to the Western World.
The three-day festival will feature daily cooking presentations by guest chefs alongside numerous collateral dinners and food- and wine-tasting events that will take place around Manila but also in other regions of the Philippines.
There will also be special activities under Flavour of the Philippines to promote Filipino food heritage.
With 270 booths, hundreds of delegates and at least 10 different countries represented, it is a celebration of international ties beyond the Philippines and Spain.
Department of Agriculture Undersecretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said Madrid Fusiòn also provides a great opportunity to promote the trade and export of local produce.
But most of all its about building up the Philippines as the next best food destination — one dish and one friendship at a time.
