THIS October, SM Supermall’s Yes Tourism! Committee aims the spotlight on Philippine cuisine, one of the many facets of our rich heritage which shows both the uniqueness and richness of our culture through ‘Kitchen Recipes from the Heart.’

The SM Supermall’s Tourism Committee, headed by SM MOA AVP for operations Steven T. Tan, strives to generate an increased awareness and appreciation for Filipino food by encouraging food lovers, culinarians and foodies to draw out each region’s most popular or best remembered dishes from the kitchens of families that have shared their ‘secret’ heirloom recipes.

Kitchen Recipes from the Heart is a culinary festival that is set to launch simultaneously on October 16 at SM Mall of Asia, SM City North Edsa and SM Megamall. Featured guests include notable personalities, such as:

Amy Besa-coauthor of the award-winning book Memories of Philippine Kitchens, which describes the melding of different traditions with those of Chinese, Spanish and American cuisines. For this project, she partners with Grace Young-also a book author, culinary journalist and director for food photography for over 40 cookbooks published by Time-Life books. Together they will be featured at the Main Atrium of SM Mall of Asia.

For SM City North Edsa, invited guest will be Nancy Reyes Lumen-renowned food writer, critic, television host, radio personality and author of several cookbooks dedicated to raising the status of the home cook and encouraging environmental-friendly, low-waste cooking processes.

Chef Babes Austria-former executive chef of Malacañang during the Arroyo administration, and presently the executive chef of Taal Vista Hotel-will be the guest chef for SM Megamall.

The following day, October 17, and the weekend after that on October 24, the rest of the SM Supernal1s nationwide will complete this culinary fete with a similar gastronomic celebration of regional flavors held either in the Event Center or in the Food Court of their respective malls. Featured chefs from the Institute of Culinary Arts & Food Service, a few celebrities, culinary experts and enthusiasts from the various regions’ famous restaurants will grace the occasion, sharing their famous treasured recipes to the audience.