Filipino Communities, Local Chinese, and Expatriates Enjoy First Interactive Cooking Demo and Food Tasting at PH Consulate General in Guangzhou
GUANGZHOU 11 December 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Guangzhou successfully concluded its first interactive cooking demonstration and food tasting event at the Consulate General’s Event Hall on 1 December 2024. The highlight of the event was a Filipino dessert-making session led by renowned Filipino chef, Mr. Hernan Christian A. De Jesus, with cultural insights shared by Independent Cultural Manager and Consultant, Ms. Patria Maria C. Santiago.
Chef De Jesus captivated the audience with easy-to-prepare Filipino desserts, while Ms. Santiago explored the shared heritage between Filipino and Chinese sweets, fostering a deeper appreciation for the cultural ties between the two cuisines.
In his welcome remarks, Consul General Iric Cruz Arribas encouraged guests to explore the similarities and distinctions between Filipino and Chinese desserts as they took part in hands-on cooking and tasting activities. Guests eagerly learned new techniques, with Chef De Jesus suggesting local ingredient alternatives in Guangdong to authentically recreate Filipino flavors.
The event brought together over 50 participants, including members of the Filipino community in Guangdong, representatives from the Guangdong Province Association of Canton Culture Industry Development, China Southern Airlines, PITO Porcelain Co., Ltd., and Yuechutong Culinary Academy.
The activity sparked nostalgia among Filipinos, evoking fond childhood memories of preparing and enjoying desserts such as champorado, ginataang bilo-bilo, turon, and ginumis. Meanwhile, Chinese and expatriate guests embraced the warmth of Filipino hospitality, enthusiastically engaging in the cooking process and exchanging stories with fellow participants.
In a delightful conclusion to the event, Consul General Arribas announced plans to expand the Consulate’s efforts to promote Filipino cuisine in Guangzhou and southern China. Future initiatives will include more cooking demonstrations, food tastings, and partnerships with local communities, enterprises, and agencies. END
Consul General Arribas welcomed over 50 guests to the first interactive cooking demo and food tasting activity at the Consulate General’s Event Hall.
Filipino chef, Mr. Hernan Christian A. De Jesus. Chef De Jesus demonstrated easy-to-prepare Filipino desserts while Independent Cultural Manager and Consultant, Ms. Patria Maria C. Santiago, discussed the shared heritage between Filipino and Chinese desserts.
Ms. Sarah Erer-Naybe, Consulate General’s Cultural Assistant, ignited the guests’ curiosity on Filipino desserts.
For more information, visit https://www.guangzhoupcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinGuangzhou/, https://twitter.com/PHinGuangzhou or https://www.instagram.com/phinguangzhou/.