Michelin-star chefs gather with representatives of the Spanish Embassy, Department of Tourism, and Madrid Fusion Manila purveyors in a press conference held in Pasay City on April 6, 2016. The international chefs will be participating at the International Gastronomy Congress that is part of Madrid Fusion Manila, April 7 to 9 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Photo by Romsanne Ortiguero, InterAksyon.com.
 
April 6, 2016, Pasay City—A day before the culinary world sets its focus on Manila for the much awaited Madrid Fusion, happening at SMX Convention Center Pasay City from April 7 to 9, the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed that the second Manila edition of the “most important international gastronomy congress in the world” will be bigger with more delegates and more international exhibitors expected and more activities to look forward to.
 
DOT Assistant Secretary Art Boncato said in a press conference on Wednesday held at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, “The focus of this year’s event will really be more of the rest of Asia, and the rest of the world coming to Manila—branding it as a gastronomic center in Asia. We’re very pleased that as of today, we have a total of 1,100 delegates registered in the International Gastronomic Conference, and we expect that to grow to 1, 500.
 
“We have added a total of 1,100 sqm now totalling to 6, 000 sqm on the expo, with about 171 booths last year to 217 booths this year.”
 
Madrid Fusion Manila (MFM) 2016 celebrates the 450th anniversary of Galleon Trade, highlighting the importance of linking Asia to the Western World particularly in the global gourmet scene. It opened the trade of notable spices like corn, chilli, cacao, and atsuete seeds, among many others.
 
DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez said in a press statement, “After allowing the world to discover Filipino food, this year’s edition will be highlighting how the Philippines has influenced world cuisine through the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade.”
 
“However, we must remember that cuisine is not just about food but the skill of the one who makes it. And the success of Madrid Fusion Manila can be attributed to all the passionate Filipino and foreign chefs who have shared their culinary talents, stories, and techniques in this part of the world. Philippine cuisine will share the spotlight with the different cuisines of the world, as the foreign celebrity chefs bring the influences of their culture to the table this year at Madrid Fusion Manila. Good food has always played a big part in the fun element of our culture, and a vital component of Filipino hospitality,” he added.
 
Overall project head of DOT director Verna Buencuceso also gave a preview of the line up of activities happening for the next three days including the expanded MFM trade expo, which features different lifestyle and destination booths and food and beverage tasting.
 
Other activities include seminars; presentations; buyers program; the Flavors of the Philippines, which is a month-long festival featuring food-realted activities; and regional lunches featuring Luzon & Panlasa on the first day, Visayas and Almusal on the second day, and Mindanao and Street food on the third day.
 
And lastly, the highlight of MFM is the International Gastronomy Congress, where the most respected Michelin-star chefs from Asia, Europe, and Americas will share their knowledge on progressive gastronomy and their best practices.

Star chefs

 
Foreign and local chefs appear in press conference on Madrid Fusion Manila slated on April 7 to 9, 2016. In photo are chefs Kevin Cherkas (Indonesia), Romy Dorotan (Philippines), Nurdin Topham (Hong Kong), Leah Cohen (US), Jungsik Yim (South Korea), Myke Sarthou (Philippines), Jordi Butrón (Spain), Michael Aspiras (Philippines), Fernando Perez Arellano (Spain), and Enrique Olvera (Mexico). Photo by Romsanne Ortiguero, 
 
Present at the press conference on Wednesday were chefs Kevin Cherkas (Indonesia), Romy Dorotan (Philippines), Nurdin Topham (Hong Kong), Leah Cohen (US), Jungsik Yim (South Korea), Myke Sarthou (Philippines), Jordi Butrón (Spain), Michael Aspiras (Philippines), Fernando Perez Arellano (Spain), and Enrique Olvera (Mexico).
 
Joining them as presenter was Antonio Sanchez de Mora, a historian and archivist from Archivo General de Indias in Seville. Sanchez de Mora is set to give a talk on the flavors that sailed across the seas.
 
Also present at the event were the MFM organizers together with representatives from the Department of Tourism, Foro de Debate, Arum Estrategias Internacionalizacion, and the Spanish Economic and Commercial Office.
 
Sponsors present at the event include SM Supermalls, Ayala Malls, Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Purefoods, Turkish Airlines, Merit, Team Asia, and Duty Free. Attending also are representatives from the Department of Agriculture and Department of Trade and Industry as event partners.
 
Along with the second staging of MFM, also envisioned to bring the Philippines to the culinary map of the world, is the upcoming World Street Food Congress happening this month as well.
 
Tourism Assistant Secretary Boncato hopes to awaken consciousness about Filipino cuisine and culture. He noted, “We hope all of these events will really awaken all our consciousness about our own local ingredients, our cuisine, and the flavors of our culture.”