Filipino Food Month in Australia Begins with Barrio Fiesta in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2023
MELBOURNE, 03 April 2023 – The Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne proudly supported the recently concluded "Seafood, Stars and Stories at Seafarers," a Filipino barrio fiesta by the sea. The event, presented by The Entree.Pinays as part of the 2023 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, took place from 01 to 02 April 2023, at Melbourne's historic Mission to Seafarers in Docklands.
The two-day program showcased the best of Filipino cuisine, culture, and community, highlighting the versatility of calamansi, a native citrus fruit with a zesty punch. The event featured a Seafood Kamayan Plate with locally sourced, sustainable produce, paired with an array of calamansi-based dipping sauces. It began with a screening of a documentary produced by digital filmmaker Erwan Heussaff, which carefully narrated how the Calamansi is deeply tied with the story of the Filipino Diaspora in Australia.
The Philippine Consulate General's involvement in the event underscores its commitment to supporting the Filipino community in Australia and promoting Filipino cultural heritage. Key highlights of the weekend included The Calamansi Story documentary, book, and product launch, which celebrated the Filipino spirit, intersectional cultural identities, and ingenuity. Cooking & Conversations with Filipino food stars Erwan Heussaff and Luisa Brimble allowed guests to learn more about their passion for Filipino cuisine and culture. The Kalamansi and Kape Bar offered a selection of calamansi-based drinks and cocktails, while The Merkado Pantry provided Filipino food staples for attendees to enjoy at home. Additionally, the Street Food Favourites section showcased the best of Filipino cuisine from various vendors and tastemakers.
Guests were treated to a variety of delicious and innovative Filipino dishes throughout the event, such as the Kare-Kare Risotto, a delightful fusion of traditional Filipino stew and Italian rice dish, and Filipino Dirty Ice Cream, a classic Filipino-style ice cream served in unique flavors. The popular Filipino breakfast dish Tapsilog, featuring marinated beef, fried rice, and egg, and Longanisa Burgers, which showcased Filipino-style sweet and savory sausages, were also among the culinary highlights. Attendees enjoyed Ube Doughnuts, a purple yam-based doughnut offering a delightful twist on a classic treat, and Manila Slice, a playful take on the Australian Vanilla Slice inspired by Filipino flavors.
One of the event's standout dishes was the Filipino national dish, Lechon, a whole roasted pig known for its crispy skin and tender meat. Guests were able to savor this iconic dish alongside a selection of wine pairings, courtesy of "7000 Islands Wines," which further elevated the dining experience.
Drinks and cocktails with Filipino influences were also served, including a Calamansi Cider Crush, which combines Calamansi with Victorian DV cider.
The event also paid tribute to the significant contribution of Filipino seafarers to Melbourne's ports. Approximately 60% of seafarers arriving in Melbourne are from the Philippines, making their work essential to the movement of cargo and the wellbeing of nations worldwide.
The partnership between The Entree.Pinays and Mission to Seafarers aims to raise awareness and support for the welfare of Filipino seafarers, while also activating the Mission to Seafarers space for Melburnians to experience and appreciate Filipino culture and cuisine.
As part of the 2023 Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, the event successfully showcased the richness and diversity of Filipino culinary traditions, while also fostering a sense of community and pride among Filipino Australians.
The Philippine Consulate General is honored to have been part of this celebration and will continue to support similar events that showcase the vibrant culture and heritage of the Philippines. END
For more information, visit https://melbournepcg.dfa.gov.ph/.