04 November 2015- The Philippine Embassy and Permanent Mission in Vienna undertook a Philippine cuisine promotion swing, in cooperation with the Mama Sita’s Foundation. The aim of the events was to promote Mama Sita´s products in Vienna, specifically to a new non-traditional audience while simultaneously bolstering interest in Filipino food and culture.

On October 20, the Embassy organized a Filipino cooking class for university students living in Vienna using Mama Sita’s products. The class took place at the PROSI Exotic Supermarket in Vienna, Austria, an Asian store which carries a line of Mama Sita´s products and houses a cooking facility.  

Ten university students from Austria, Spain, Germany, Brazil, New Zealand and Malaysia, took part in the class.  Before the cooking class commenced, Mrs. Priscila Confiado, wife of Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General Sulpicio M. Confiado, delivered a short primer on Filipino cuisine.  Mrs. Clara Lapus, President of Mama Sita's Foundation, then introduced the company and its products to the participants. 

The chef in attendance, Mr. Arturo Benganal, with the participation of the students, prepared two dishes—kalderetang baka and sinigang na hipon-- using Mama Sita's products.   

Students gave positive feedback and expressed interest to be involved in similar events in the future. They also enjoyed getting to know more about the food and culture of the Philippines.

On October 21, the Embassy organized an evening event for diplomats, restaurateurs and store owners at the Ambassador´s residence.   Diplomats from Myanmar, Jordan, Egypt, Vietnam, Laos, Croatia, Malaysia, Georgia and Japan as well as twenty restaurateurs/store owners were in attendance. The event was an opportunity to promote Philippine food products to Austrian store owners.

The event served as a book launch of a Filipino cook book prepared by the Mama Sita’s Foundation, a cooking demonstration showcasing Mama Sita’s products and a food tasting of Filipino cuisine. Guests were welcomed by Philippine Ambassador Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson who thanked everyone for attending and said a few words on Philippine cuisine. She also introduced Mrs. Clara Lapus, President of the Mama Sita’s Foundation and Ms. Earth 2014, Jamie Herrell, who was in Vienna for the upcoming Ms. Earth 2015 pageant in December.  Guests were then invited to a cooking demonstration which prepared traditional Filipino dishes using Mama Sita’s products, after which a reception and food tasting of the prepared dishes took place. The event was covered by Cercle Diplomatique, Society Magazine and ABS-CBN.  END