For three days, Madrid Fusión Manila 2016 participants were treated to thematic lunches that flaunted the flavors of the Philippines and our three regions: Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Aside from the buffet spread of local food by different establishments and restaurants from across the country, a delicious highlight was the most unique dishes that our very own local and Philippine-based talents and chefs created based on a specific theme each day. For the themed menus, the kitchen creatives were handpicked by Appetite Magazine editor-in-chief Nina Daza-Puyat and cookbook author Angelo Comsti (Day One), Just Jonesing and Pinoy Eats World founder JJ Yulo (Day Two), and 'Eat Out Now' author and magazine editor Alicia Sy (Day Three). Executive Chefs for the Regional Lunches are Noel dela Rama and Josh Boutwood, while assisting all chefs during the lunches are volunteers from Enderun Colleges. The three days were truly a smörgåsbord of Filipino culture, edible ideas, and delicious conversations.
Here's how our local talents put the spotlight on Filipino cuisine, ingredients, and flavors in Day Two's theme: Almusal (breakast)–serving twists on and reinterpretations of our favorite morning food. Lunchtime was a fantastic hub of good energy with breakfast hits served by chefs, each one giving it his or her signature spin. Favorites like longganisa, tapa, ensaymada, and arroz caldo took creative and playful routes, surprising and pleasing the palate of hungry guests. The Regional Lunch component of MFM 2016 has definitely awakened local participants and international guests to new ways of presenting our own cuisine, becoming cooking inspirations and broadening our own palates to what Filipino food is and how its future can taste like.
Day 2: Almusal
1. Tapa, Egg Yolk Cream, Rice Cracker
by: Chef Margarita Fores (Cibo, Grace Park, Lusso, Alta)
2. Champorado and Eggs over Eggs
by: Chef Jayme Natividad (Taza)
3. Dinaing na Paksiw na Tuna Belly sa Langkawas (galangal) at Tanglad (lemongrass)
by: Chef Seya Ortega (Sinigang)
4. Morcon of Baboy Damo
by: Chef Nico de Asis Millanes (Terrasse Bistro, Portiko Cafe and Loungem Bacolod)
5. Tortilla de Patatas with Isabela Longganisa and Sinamak Vinaigrette; Bignay Sangria
by: Chef Miguel Vecin (Bar Pintxos)
6. Kusahos nga Uhong (mushroom tapa) at Bugas Mais
by: Chefs Denise Celdran and Ramon Antonio (Edgy Veggy)
7. Sandwich of Smoked Lardo Pandesal, Applewood Smoked Bacon, Fried Quail Egg, and Pickled Ampalaya served with Barako Red Eye Gravy
by: Chefs Jeremy and Jen Slagle (Mister Delicious)
8. Breakfast Porridge with Piniritong Kamatis and Daing na Isda; Sisig Fritters with Spicy Herb Duck Aioli
by: Chef Karla Mendoza (Pizzeria Mozza and Osteria Mozza, Singapore)
9. Saba at Buko (Local Plantain and Coconut)
by: Chef Rob Pengson (The Goose Station, Global Academy)
10. Kitayama Wagyu Beef Tapa brined in coffee and coco sugar with Pickled Kamias and Quail Egg
by: Chef Francis Lim (Tipple & Slaw, Nav Modern Thai)
11. Native Duck and Chicken Pancit Molo with Garlic Infused Rice Crisps
by: Chef Don Colmenares (Kusina ni Caloy, Bacolod)
12. Mango Ensaymada, Chorizo Ensaymada (collaboration with Tierra de España), and Classic Ensaymada (served with Risa Hot Chocolate)
by: Chef Chona Ayson (Homemade Treasures)
13. Dinuguan Longganisa at Puto
by: Chef Edward Bugia (Backyard Kitchen + Brew, The BRGR Project, Pino)
Booths: Magnum Opus Coffee, Risa Chocolate, Fog City, Mama Sita's Adobo Bar, Kapfer and Rivera jams and jellies, Sonny Lua's Quesong Puti, Bihod and Pancit Pusit, Pedro Brewcrafters, Nanay Choleng's Moron, Gapuz Farms grapes
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The Regional Lunches of Madrid Fusión Manila 2016 is sponsored by the Department of Agriculture. For more on MFM 2016: Visayas Regional Lunch and Almusal, click here.
Madrid Fusión Manila 2016 was held last April 7 to 9, 2016, at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City. It is the first and only Asian edition of Madrid Fusion, a Spanish gastronomy congress organized annually since 2003, bringing together prestigious and innovative chefs from all over the world.
For more information about Madrid Fusion Manila, visit madridfusionmanila.com and connect with them via Facebook (/MadridFusionManila), Instagram (@madridfusionmanila), and Twitter (@madridfusionmnl).