Finally, Fine Filipino Food Fest in Tokyo!
Philippine Food Fair 2011, Imperial Hotel Tokyo
Featuring the Doyenne of Philippine Cuisine, Ms. Glenda Barreto, showcasing culture and heritage through culinary art
I have always wanted to write about the under-rated, oft-misinterpreted or worse, misrepresented authentic Filipino cuisine, but failed to find the real deal, one that showcases the Philippines’ rich melange of culture, tradition and heritage, authentic in essence and presentation.
Ms. Glenda Barreto, Doyenne of Philippine Cuisine
I first met Ms. Glenda Barreto, Doyenne of Philippine Cuisine and owner of Via Mare group during my Puerto Azul days, as she was a member of the Golf & Country Club and favorite caterer of Malacanang Palace. Till now, Via Mare is still the irreplaceable Filipino fare provider to most high level occasions not only in the Palace but also to prominent political and social figures of the country for their impeccable cuisine and unparalleled service.
CBRT Conference 2011 Regional Food Showcase by Via Mare
At the National Conference on Community Based Rural Tourism this year, I had the honor to meet, listen and shared with my co-speaker, Ms. Barreto. I told her that every time I go home to Manila, I would always eat at Via Mare and bring back special native desserts, cassava cake and two kinds of rice cakes -bibingka galapong & puto bumbong - all the way to Peru. I am so happy that their Landmark Makati branch already know how to pack these delicacies for long-haul trips, thus, I still get the freshly-cooked flavors after 30 hours of travelling back to Lima! When we moved to Tokyo, Japan, I go home to the Philippines every so often for my Sustainable Tourism initiatives and conference engagements, thus, I make sure I eat at Via Mare, probably the only excellent authentic Filipino cuisine that suits my palate, my only “other home” of comfort native food.
Philippine desserts by Via Mare: Jackfruit Tapioca, Cassava (yuca) Cake, Purple Yam (ube) pudding, Coconut-Pandan Rice pudding
At the Conference, Ms. Barreto presented on Special Regional Food Presentation & Exhibit where she talked about Food Knowledge, Effective Menu Planning, Recipes, Pricing and Personalized Service. She also showcased the actual Regional cooking at the venue and feted us to the best Conference dinner I have ever tasted!
On September 26- October 2, 2011, Tokyoites and nearby ‘burb-dwellers can savor the fine offering of Tita Glenda’s cuisine at the Philippine Food Fair at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, together with stellar chefs, Myrna Seguismundo of Restaurant 9501 and patissier Jessie Sinsioco of Le Souffle. It will be seven full days of alluring and scrumptious epicurean pleasures from the Philippines’ most fabulous, no less! Service offerings at the Imperial Viking Sal will be available during Luncheons and Dinner and Filipinos in Japan can partake in this rare opportunity of excellent Filipino cuisine at a special discount.
Lunch & Dinner Buffet of Filipino Fine Food at the Viking Sal, Imperial Hotel Tokyo
