02 August 2016 — The “Flavours of the Philippines” is currently showcasing Filipino cuisine at The Grace Hotel in Sydney until August 13. The food festival is organized by the Office of the Department of Tourism in Sydney, headed by Tourism Attaché Norjamin delos Reyes, in collaboration with The Grace Hotel and Philippine Airlines.
Four guest chefs, led by celebrity chef Myrna Dizon Segismundo, were flown to Sydney by Philippine Airlines for the food festival. The other chefs preparing mouth-watering Filipino treats at the festival with Chef Myrna are Chefs Marie Angeli Benedicto San Diego, Raul Hitusis Ramos and Mariano Casiple Catamin, Jr.
At the festival’s opening night on July 27, Mr. Philip Pratley, General Manager of The Grace Hotel, welcomed the guests and noted how his team, hotel guests, and the Filipino and Australian public look forward to the “Flavours of the Philippines” food festival each year.
In her speech, Philippine Ambassador to Australia Minda Calaguian-Cruz described the varying kinds and flavours of Filipino food that one can discover across the Philippine archipelago. She also spoke of the role that food plays in Filipino culture. She encouraged the Australian guests present to continue their journey and discover more of the Philippines by visiting the country’s many tourism destinations.
Mr. Sam Heine, National Sales Manager for Philippine Airlines, highlighted the airline’s 75th Anniversary this year, its service from Manila to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane via Darwin, and its recently-inaugurated Manila-Cairns-Auckland route.
On the occasion, Consul General Anne Jalando-on Louis conveyed her thanks to Mr. Pratley and his team for their continued support for the festival, which has brought the flavours of Filipino food, from entrées, mains to desserts, to patrons in Sydney for the last ten years. END
