Sugbo News - ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL FORUM ON GASTRONOMY TOURISM KICKS OFF IN CEBU

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, together with UN Tourism Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili, Ms. Idoia Calleja of Basque Culinary Center, Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard Chan, Cong Ma. Cynthia King Chan, and foreign dignitaries, led the ceremonial putting of rice into a giant pusô, which serves as a major culinary pride of Cebuanos and one of the diverse gastronomic offerings found in the Philippines.

ASIA-PACIFIC REGIONAL FORUM ON GASTRONOMY TOURISM KICKS OFF IN CEBU

June 26, 2024

MACTAN, CEBU -- It was a gastronomic event as Cebu and the Philippines welcome over 500 delegates from over 50 countries for the first-ever United Nations Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific on Wednesday, here.

The delegates were treated to a showcase of diverse and exquisite cuisines from the different regions in the country, prepared by notable chefs in the country.

"Cebu is the ideal location for the first edition of the forum," noted Secretary-General Pololikashvili. “The city's vibrant gastronomic scene and strong cultural heritage make it a perfect fit for this inaugural event.”

Ms. Calleja, for her part, highlighted the importance of education and talent development in gastronomy during her speech. "Our primary goal is to elevate education in gastronomy, focusing on training talented individuals in core values and essential skills," she said.

Calleja said Basque Culinary Center's promotion and participation to this forum will help in their company's mission.

“For Basque Culinary Center, we believe gastronomy is part of the solution for the challenges that we have to face as society. With global interaction with many agents, chefs, institutions, companies, it will help to develop our mission,” she said.

The forum, she added, will serve as a platform to celebrate the power of gastronomy tourism and bring together destinations and the international community “to extend knowledge and practices of gastronomy tourism with the objective of harnessing its transformative power especially to the benefit to local communities,” she said.

"This initiative aims to create a domino effect, enhancing culinary expertise across the region," she added.

For her part, Sec. Frasco officially confirmed the country’s commitment to the proposal for establishing UN Gastronomic Educational Centers saying, "The Philippines enthusiastically accepts and supports the United Nations Gastronomic Educational Centers proposal."

Secretary Frasco declared. "We are open to discussions and collaboration to advance this project, underscoring our dedication to promoting culinary education and excellence."

The Philippines, through the Department of Tourism and Sec. Frasco’s able leadership is hosting the first-ever global event.

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JUST IN: GWEN SUES BAI OFFICIALS - Lawyers from the Provincial Legal Office formally endorsed before the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas at past 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, the administrative complaint filed by Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia against officials of the Bureau of Animal Industry.

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NEW JAPANESE AMBASSADOR VISITS GOV GWEN - Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya paid Gov. Gwen Garcia a courtesy visit at the Capitol on Wednesday, July 17.

CONGRESSMAN RODANTE MARCOLETA VISITS GOV. GWEN GARCIA AT THE CAPITOL - Congressman Rodante Marcoleta visits Gov. Gwen Garcia at the Capitol today, August 7.

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COURTESY CALL OF SWISS AMBASSADOR - The Ambassador of Switzerland to the Philippines Nicolas Bruhl paid a courtesy visit to Governor Gwen Garcia at the Capitol today, August 8.

FRASCO BREAKS GROUND ON P10M SOLAR-POWERED WATER SYSTEM IN CATMON - It was a joyous moment for residents of Barangay Tinabyonan in Catmon as their long-held dream of having a clean water source has become a reality.