April 25, 2015 7:52am – Dishes from Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao will take center stage at the three-day gastronomy event called Madrid Fusion Manila at the SMX Convention Center.

And on the opening day of the event on Friday, delegates from different countries from all corners of the world got to taste specialties from Luzon, such as kare-kare, rellenong manok, sisig, bistek Tagalog, and sinigang na hipon; and desserts like cassava bibingka, halo-halo, and pastillas.

Valencia trianggulo, Malabon’s version of turon. GMANews.TV

Aside from the familiar dishes served on a typical Filipino table, Madrid Fusion Manila also featured unexpected spins on Pinoy ingredients, turning the familiar into the exotic. Delegates were served “tinapa at itlog sa kamatis (cherry tomotoes stuffed with smoked milkfish and salted egg), crispy palabok, and kinilaw na tanigue sa kamatis at kamias (ceviche of mackerel with tomatoes and bilimbi).

Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. had said earlier that the presentation of Luzon’s dishes during the first day of Madrid Fusion Manila was the capital’s chance to retake its place as one of the “most important gastronomical capitals in this part of the world.”

A new spin on the familiar called tinapa at itlog sa kamatis. GMANews.TV

Madrid Fusion Manila

Though tasting the proof in the pudding seems to be the basic attraction of the the event, probably the most important aspect of Madrid Fusion Manila is the International Gastronomy Congress.

During the congress, top chefs from Spain, the Philippines, and other Asian countries will generously share their culinary know-how to more than a thousand fellow chefs, students, and other delegates.

This was really what Madrid Fusion was all about – a gastronomic get-together in Spain where top chefs share their views on the future of food. This year is the first time that the event was brought outside Madrid, and hence the small addition to the event’s name.

Alongside the congress is the trade exhibit where ingredients and products from Spain and the Philippines are displayed, accompanied by tastings and seminars.

The trade exhibit will be open to the public for free on the last day of the event. — DVM, GMA News