30 October 2014 – The Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc. (PAWA), in cooperation with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, held the first international launch of “Bistro Filipino,” a coffee table and recipe book by Yola Johnson, at the Philippine Center last October 22. The book compiles Filipino recipes re-imagined by Chef Laudico, fusing together tradition and innovation, with the view to promoting Philippine cuisine and culture abroad.  Ms. Johnson is the mother of renowned Filipino chef/restaurateur Rolando Laudico.

During the launch, Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon said “Bistro Filipino,” which beautifully showcases Filipino food artfully plated into mouth-watering presentations, complements the efforts of the Filipino Food Movement, the Kulinarya cooking competition team, Filipino chefs, Filipino restaurant owners in the Bay Area and throughout the United States in bringing greater awareness about Philippine cuisine in mainstream American society.

Ramar International Corp. Vice President for Marketing and Filipino Food Movement Co-Founder PJ Quesada praised Yola Johnson for her achievement in publishing the book, noting how Chef Laudico’s cuisine embraces innovation so that it retains its Filipino flavor, but at the same time making it more contemporary.  He added that the “conditions are right for this wave of Filipino cuisine to wash over the world.”

During the book launch, Filipino-American culinary art students shared their experience in promoting Filipino food in the Bay Area.  Guests were likewise treated to Filipino delights, courtesy of Patio Filipino and desserts from Foundation Café and Ramar Foods.

The event was organized by PAWA, Inc., an organization that provides a venue to “create and encourage literature and arts for the preservation and enrichment of Filipino and Filipino-American historical, cultural and spiritual values, and to bring these to a larger audience.  PAWA, Inc. is headed by President Edwin Lozada. END