IN April 2015 the Philippines made a major mark in the culinary world with the staging of the first Madrid Fusion exhibition to happen outside of Spain. The three-day event, held in SMX at the MOA Complex, was very well attended and showcased the world’s Michelin star chefs from Europe and Asia.
 
This year, Madrid Fusion Manila is back at the SMX Convention Center with the theme “The Manila Galleon: East Meets West” from April 7 to 9. It will bring together the world’s top-rated and most acclaimed avant-garde chefs who will demonstrate their culinary masterpieces to the trade in a gastronomy congress. Simultaneously, the Madrid Fusion Manila Trade Expo will be a special exhibition for fine food, gourmet products, new ingredients and cooking technology. As Madrid Fusion Manila’s Titanium Sponsor, SM Supermalls will host the welcome reception of its delegates and exhibitors at the Mall of Asia By The Bay in a big fiesta featuring an array of Filipino fusion cocktail dishes with lechon prepared in many unique ways.
 
SM Supermalls will also bring a taste of the grand gastronomic experience closer to its customers with “Fusion Flavors” at 24 participating SM malls nationwide from March 28 to April 15. In depth culinary demos dubbed “Epicurious: Culinary Demonstrations by Gourmet Chefs” will happen at SM Aura Premier on March 29, SM Megamall on March 31 and SM Cebu at April 7 featuring local chefs from Salon de The, Vikings, Todd English, OgetsuHime and Cafe Laguna. A Weekend market will showcase regional specialties and desserts from Asia and Europe at SM South mall on April 2 and 3.
 
Alongside the exciting East to West activities, and in support of the DOT’s “Flavors of the Philippines” Festival: SM’s “Fusion Flavors” will have activities that will feature cooking demonstrations, culinary school face-off contests, food fairs and workshops, making the malls a destination not only for the trade, but for families and the entire community. “SM, through its partnership with Madrid Fusion Manila and the DOT, through Flavors of the Philippines, is simply fulfilling its mission to bring families and friends together in one fun place through the enjoyment of everything flavorful,” said Steven Tan, SVP of SM Supermalls.
 
This summer all are invited to visit the various SM Supermalls showcasing “Fusion Flavors” to experience with family and friends the best of what the Philippines has to offer gastronomically and culturally.

In photo are (from left) Arnold Gonzales, OIC Media Relations and Communications for Tourism Promotions Board; Walid Wafik, SMX general manager; Margarita Fores, Asia’s Best Female Chef 2016; Mielle Esteban Powell, Arum Estrategias Internacionalizacion, S.L./Madrid Fusion; Verna Buensuceso, director of market development group, tourism development sector, DOT and Madrid Fusion Manila Project; Joaquin San Agustin, SM Supermalls SVP for marketing; Perkin So, SM Mall of Asia AVP for operations.