April is Filipino Food Month

Filipino Restaurant Week in New York City is still in limbo but Filipino food is back in the spotlight through the Filipino Food Month.

The Filipino Food Month was launched April 1 as a “celebration showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Philippines,” according to organizers, the Filipino Food Movement. Throughout April, the movement encourages diners to experience the vibrant flavors and cultural traditions of Filipino cuisine.

According to a press statement, Filipino Food Month was established in 2018 through Philippine Presidential Proclamation 469. It aims to spotlight the unique fusion of flavors, cooking techniques, and ingredients that make Filipino cuisine genuinely remarkable. The series of events will feature activities and programs designed to engage, educate, and delight food enthusiasts.

The event will be in partnership with the Philippine consulates in San Francisco, New York, the Philippine Embassy in Bern, Switzerland, the Department of Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley (PTIC) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The Filipino Food Month is commencing its kickoff events in New York, San Francisco and Las Vegas to unveil a series of activities, including:

• Kulinarya Live. Expert chefs for cooking workshops, as they prepare traditional and expanded Filipino dishes. Learn the techniques and secrets behind the cuisine from chefs Melissa Miranda of Musang in Seattle, Domingo Domingo of Millesens in Bern, Switzerland, Augee Francisco of Kabisera West in New York City, and Cat Carlucci of the Istorya popup in Las Vegas. The series will also include participation from the Filipino chef community in London, U.K.

• Passport Program. For diners in select cities in Northern California, Las Vegas, Nevada, and the East Coast, a restaurant passport program ensues month-long. Participating diners get the chance to win a roundtrip ticket to the Philippines and more awesome prizes courtesy of the PTIC, DOT and Philippine Airlines.  #lovethephilippines
  
  
• Eat Filipino Food. Snap a picture, post it on social media, and tag #filipinofoodmovement #letsgofilipino #kainna

• Merienda at the Platform by the James Beard Foundation.  Experience a Filipino merienda in New York City featuring chefs Dale Talde, Leah Cohen, Woldy Reyes, LJ Almendras, and entrepreneur Diana Manalang, hosted and curated by FFM Board Director Nicole Ponseca.

• Dinner at Bahay Buko. A collaboration of more than a dozen chefs and restaurateurs and the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Nevada will participate in a culminating dinner at The Assembly at The Uncommons in Las Vegas on April 29.

The movement is also building a global directory of all Filipino food trucks, pop-ups, bars, cafes and restaurants.

“Let’s come together to savor the flavors, embrace the culture, and celebrate the diversity of our Filipino cuisine during this exciting month-long event,” invites PJ Quesada, founder and Chairperson Emeritus of the Filipino Food Movement.

The Filipino Food Movement   is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that preserves, promotes, and progresses Filipino cuisine. It was established in 2014 to create broad awareness, appreciation, and enhanced investment in Filipino culinary arts, and  is an all-volunteer organization.  For more information about the schedule of activities and how to participate, visit the FFM website, www.Filipinofoodmovement.org.