By Erwin Nicavera/PNA
BACOLOD CITY — Negros Occidental will be showcased as one of the country’s premier culinary destinations during the food and travel festival dubbed “Kaon Na ‘Ta” in the soon-to-open Ayala Capitol Central here on December 19 to 21.
Cristine Mansinares, provincial supervising tourism operations officer, said the festival seeks to encourage more people to know more about the local cuisine.
“It will also position the province as one of the country’s food destinations,” she added.
The event will be hosted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Ayala Malls in collaboration with the Negros Occidental provincial government.
The event is the last of the series of festivals this year initiated by the office of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
Other events were also held in areas with Ayala Malls like the cities of Legazpi, Davao and Cebu.
On the first day, the festival will kick off with the opening of exhibit booths and food fair.
Local government units will also showcase their unique and new dishes and cuisines through the food parade, a replication of the activity during the Tourism Week celebration last September.
The province also invited some Negrense chefs, including Nico Millanes, Don Colmenares, Joerri Arro, Patrick Go, Nino Laus, JP Anglo, Margarita Flores and Kalel Demetrio, to showcase their dishes.
The second day will feature slow food movement in Negros Occidental, wherein Negrense chefs will demonstrate how to prepare their cuisines showcasing slow food practices.
“Slow food means using traditional food items in cooking. It is a careful way of preparing our food, not being rushed,” Mansinares said.
The third day will highlight Negros Occidental as a farm tourism destination and will feature speakers who will talk on various topics focusing on the promotion of healthy, sustainable and green practices in farms, hotels, restaurants and other tourism establishments.
