Filipino cuisine, ingredients showcased in 2019 National Food Fair

MANILA, Philippines – Classic Filipino recipes and local homegrown ingredients are being promoted in this year’s edition of the National Food Fair (NFF).

Spanish-Filipino Chef Gabby Pratts stressed the importance of supporting locally produced ingredients which can be used for Filipino cuisine.

Spanish-Filipino Chef Gabby Pratts. Photo by CONSUELO MARQUEZ / INQUIRER.net

“Not just focusing on promoting Filipino cuisine, but more than that, it is promoting homegrown Filipino products,” Pratts said during a press conference of 2019 NFF in Mandaluyong City on Thursday.

“It is so amazing to see that we have a lot to offer [such as] artisanal hot sauces to cheeses which are all made in the Philippines,” he added.

Pratts also lauded that locally-made products have started to become globally competitive and compatible with imported products from other countries.

“It is amazing to see that the whole Philippines can produce globally competitive products that are compatible to the likes of those produced in US and Australia and so on,” he said.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez echoed Pratts’ sentiments, saying that boosting the identity of Filipino cuisine should be partnered with promoting Filipino-made ingredients.

“‘Yung cuisine ‘pag yan pri-nomote mo, kasama na rin product at ingredients. [For example] ‘pag nagluto kayo ng Japanese food, you tend to buy product ingredients in Japan,” he said during the press briefing.

LOOK: National Food Fair showcases best of Filipino food products

The 2019 NFF will feature live cooking demonstrations by culinary experts to promote Filipino cuisine and reinvent food recipes using bamboo shoots, sugar cane and cacao.

Local products promoted by DTI

With the help of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), local businesses may expand their market, Lopez said.

“Bringing [the businesses] in trade fairs like this, maging visible sa general public na para ma-discover sila,” he said.

Lopez noted that Filipino businesses may seek assistance from DTI regional offices, provincial offices and Negosyo Centers.

“They can approach those offices if they want to be assisted. There are seminars in the Negosyo Centers near them and there are smaller trade fair like these,” he said.

Seminars offered for Filipino business owners include food safety and entrepreneurs, Lopez explained.

NFF has become a traditional event since 2013 as it showcased the best Filipino food products. / gsg