Iloilo City to celebrate inaugural ‘Festival of Food’

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Iloilo City is gearing up for its inaugural “Festival of Food,” aiming to cement its reputation as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.

The gastronomic celebration, set for April 26–30 this year, was announced by the Iloilo City Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) Center, headed by Director Salvador D. Sarabia Jr., during a press briefing on Tuesday, February 27.

This event is poised to position Iloilo City as the culinary heart of the Philippines.

“The first-ever festival of food promises to be a feast for the senses, highlighting the finest of Ilonggo cuisine. Attendees can expect a broad spectrum of gastronomic encounters, ranging from heritage dishes to contemporary offerings that underscore our region’s distinctive tastes and produce,” Sarabia said.

He praised the unwavering commitment of the local food sector and government entities in attaining the esteemed UNESCO title, recognizing their culinary passion as the key to Iloilo’s gastronomic fame.

The festival will feature daily culinary innovations and tastings of Ilonggo specialties, crafted by the city’s chefs.

Dr. Tina Sudario, a participating Iloilo City Community College faculty member, stressed the significance of local municipality involvement in maintaining Iloilo City’s ‘Gastronomy City’ designation, as well as the vital contribution of local agriculture to the city’s food supply.

Sudario noted that Iloilo province is the primary source for ingredients that make up the city’s delightful fare.

In addition to sampling exquisite dishes, attendees will enjoy cooking demonstrations by local chefs, who will impart their knowledge for replicating genuine Ilonggo tastes.

The festival also promises symposia on various topics, including traditional cooking techniques, sourcing, marketing, packaging, and flavor pairing.

Furthermore, a food map, developed in collaboration with the Iloilo Museum of Contemporary Arts, will debut during the festival to direct gastronomes to the city’s top culinary delights.

Meanwhile, there is a push for an ordinance to establish the Iloilo City Gastronomy and Food Industry Development Council.

This legislation is designed to foster the growth and recognition of Ilonggo gastronomy.

It underscores the need for a unified effort from the City Government, the private sector, and stakeholders to realize sustainable gastronomic development and distinction.