AN impressive array of world-class international chefs and culinary experts are expected to attend the second run of Madrid Fusión Manila (MFM), which will be held from April 7 to 9, 2016, at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
At the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (Icex) on Thursday at the Crimson Hotel in Alabang, Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. announced the initial batch of chef presenters, which includes Joan Roca of El Cellar de Can Roca Restaurant in Catalonia, Spain (3 Michelin stars, No. 1 and one of the world’s 50 best restaurants); Yoshihiro Narisawa of Les Creations de Narisawa Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan (2 Michelin stars, No. 2 and Asia’s 50 best restaurants); Dani Garcia of Bibo Andalussian Brasserie and Tapas in Malaga, Spain (2 Michelin stars); and Virgilio Martinez of Central Restaurante in Lima, Peru (1 Michelin star, No. 1 with distinction as one of the world’s and Latin America’s 50 best restaurants).
“Taking off from MFM 2015’s success, next year’s edition of Madrid Fusión Manila aims to gather a larger crowd of foreign chefs, culinary experts and delegates. Madrid Fusión is the single, most important conference for gastronomy in the 21st century, where everyone goes to see the future of food,” he said.
“We envision for the Philippines’s hosting to be sustained year-on-year, as we aim to establish the country as a center of culinary excellence in the region. MFM will also be one of the highlight events as we celebrate Visit the Philippines Again 2016,” he added. Last year Jimenez said he was hoping that the MFM would be held annually for at least five years.
Spain’s State Secretary for Trade Jaime Garcia-Legaz signed the MOU on behalf of Icex.
The theme of MFM 2016 will be “The Manila Galleon: East meets West,” in celebration of the 450th anniversary of the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Trade that linked Asia with the western world via Mexico. Celebrated Filipino chefs will also be participating in next year’s event, the list of which is currently being finalized.
MFM 2016 will once again have three simultaneous events: the International Gastronomy Congress, Trade Exhibit and Flavors of the Philippines. A notable roster of Michelin-starred Spanish chefs and distinguished Asian and Filipino chefs will demonstrate modern and avant-garde techniques at the congress.
A total of 22 countries and 88 exhibiting companies, which set up 175 exhibit booths, participated in last year’s MFM. There were more than 6,000 trade visitors and 1,381 congress participants. The International Gastronomy Congress featured 10 Michelin-star Spanish and Asian chefs, and 10 of the most respected chefs in the Philippines.
The conference consisted of presentations on distinct menus and food preparation. Traditional techniques and culinary practices were rediscovered and made modern and new; interesting and unusual ingredients were revealed and explored; and the latest innovations and trends in the global gourmet scene were discussed and shared.
The trade exhibit brought together international and national food and beverage companies, which showcased their products, equipment and technology to over 6,000 trade buyers and decision-makers from many countries. There were food tastings and seminars, a wine tunnel, culinary presentations and destination lifestyle stands.
A monthlong cultural and gastronomic feast, dubbed The Flavors of the Philippines Festival, was held in conjunction with MFM 2015, and featured food tours and tastings, gourmet meals by celebrity chefs in restaurants, roving food trucks and bar crawls, among others, in many parts of the country.
Registration for the MFM 2016 International Gastronomy Congress is currently open with regular rates at $450 (P20,000), group rates with minimum of 20 persons at $290 (P13,000), as well as an early-bird rate until January 15 at $320 (P14,000). Students are entitled to discounted rates of $410 (P18,000), group rates (minimum of 20 persons) of $245 (P11,000) and an early-bird rate of $320 (P14,000).
There is also the Special 5+1 Group Rate, where one complimentary delegate pass is given for five registered delegates under the early-bird rate applicable on or before January 15, 2016, or under the regular rate for January 16 onward.
Those interested to participated are encouraged to go to www.madridfusionmanila.com.
Special to the BusinessMirror