18 November 2013 - The Philippine Embassy in Brasilia, in collaboration with Sheraton Porto Alegre Hotel, successfully held the second Philippine Gastronomic Festival at the hotel´s Porto Alegre Bistrô. The three-day event showcased Filipino cuisine and delectable dishes by Filipina Chef Remedios Prado Morales of Brasilia, and Sheraton´s renowned Executive Chef, Mauro Sousa.

The Filipino menu was formally launched at a cocktail held on November 07, which was attended by the Hotel's special clients.  In her interaction with hotel executives and guests, Philippine Ambassador to Brazil Eva G. Betita shared Filipino customs related to food, and shared similarities of Philippine and Brazilian cuisine. 

The guests had a taste of savory Filipino foods such as adobong manok sa gata, kare-kare, escabecheng isda, pansit and freshly cut and colorful native Filipino salads. They also enjoyed delectable desserts such as sans rival, the now famous brazo de mercedes, and cassava cake elegantly presented.

This was widely received by the Hotel's choice clientele which included food critics, journalists, diplomats, artists, reporters and tourists. Brazo de mercedes was also featured by the famous food columnist Ms. Bete Papo in her column Caderno Gastrô. Ambassador Betita was also featured in Caderno Magazine by columnist Paulo Gasparotto in Porto Alegre together with General Manager Solange Minassian and Food and Beverage Coordinator Ana Lyl Carvalho.

In a dinner co-hosted by the Philippine Embassy on November 09, which was attended by several members of the business community and civic society of Porto Alegre, Ms. Morales, the Filipina Chef, gave interesting accounts about Philippine history and culture, and best cooking practices that she popularized during the Philippine Food Festival. 

The event likewise provided the opportunity to inform the public of the assignment of Miss Josephine Romero as the first Philippine Commercial Counselor to Brazil, and Dr. Somchai Ansuj as the first Philippine Honorary Consul General to Porto Alegre.

Every year, Sheraton Hotel, as one of the leading international hotels in Brazil, periodically selects a country and focuses on that country’s cuisine as part of Sheraton’s Gastronomy Festivals.

Philippine tourism and cultural promotion materials were given away as souvenirs to the Hotel’s guests and special patrons for the duration of the Philippine Food Festival.  END