To attend Madrid Fusion is a dream that I wasn't sure I could ever achieved... Honestly, I've always thought that it will just remain a dream...Coz, how am I gonna go to Spain? This isn't just an Asiancountry where I can get away without needing a visa... This is freakin' Spain...
However, the Food Gods must be on my side because this month, Madrid Fusion Manila happened. Yes, it's not the same as the one being staged yearly in Spain, but "beggars can't be choosers", right...Besides, Spanish men peddling wine, Jamon, Cheese and Olive oil...what more can a girl ask for?
This year's theme is "Towards a sustainable gastronomic planet", and features the Philippines as a culinary destination. And yes! If you have attended one of their regional lunches during the said summit you'll know that the Philippines is abundant with not just great food but talented chefs who can create and deconstruct Filipino cuisine while promoting what is indigenous to us.
Tasting the different food that each region can offer, I realized that the Philippines should be more than just Jollibee's and Adobo's. The world needs to get to know us... Need to eat our food...and explore the dishes that our regions offer.
Aside from the many seminars and talks featured in the three-day event, I was more interested in exploring what the Philippines and Spain can offer. I feasted not just on the yummy samples, but the Spanish-speaking men, promoting their products. My Spanish is rusty, and my cousins always say that i butcher the said language, but still... They understood me and I kinda understood them too... Hey! Food, wine, cheese is universal!
Aside from the food, I also got to meet well-renowned chefs...and ofcourse, felt proud with our own Filipino chefs who, not just proved that our food is world-class, but people all around the world recognize them as some of the best in their field.
Met up with Chef Gene Gonzales of Center for Asian Culinary Studies, Chef Claude Tayag of Bale Dutung, Chef Margarita Fores of Chibo, Chef Rob Pengson of Global Academy among others. Trust me! I dont normally get star-struck, but with these chefs... I get tongue-tied all-together.
Also, had the chance to interview Michael Lopez, the first-ever Filipino maestro cortador of Jamon Iberico in Spain. Cool, right?!
Madrid Fusion Manila 2017 is definitely one for the books... oh and before i forget, I was at the venue when the 5.6 magnitude quake hit Luzon on Saturday. It was scary, but people were calmed as we made our way to the exits.
