Gelyka Dumaraos Philippine’s very own coffee, chocolate, and tea are in focus in the latest edition of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) culinary tourism event this September.
Kain Na!, DOT’s food and travel festival will feature culinary treasures from various Filipino chocolate, tea, and coffee products in the country through virtual talks and online activities.
Kain Na! 2020, The Blended Edition will feature a webinar series and experiential sessions such as virtual tours and food demos. Invited speakers are from Malagos Chocolate, Auro Chocolates, The Chocolate Chamber, El Union Coffee, Henry & Sons, and Bo’s Coffee. Also invited are guests from Gourmet Farms, Nurture Farmacy, Yamang Bukid, REFMAD Dragonfruit Farm, and the Oolong tea farmers of Gingoog City.
“The Filipinos’ love for food never wavered nor waned, even during this pandemic, but it all the more fueled our appetite and cravings,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said. “And while mass gatherings and public events are still limited, we pivot our Kain Na! initiatives to the digital platform.”
Eat and drink Filipino
Secretary Puyat also reiterated DOT’s call to “buy Filipino” including food and drinks products to help in rebooting the economy.
She said, “This time around, we urge you all to ‘eat and drink Filipino’, too! Do partake of our local cuisine, agricultural produce, and food and beverage products. Every sip and every bite will help our farmers and food tourism stakeholders recover from this pandemic. This is certainly a fun way to lend our support.”
Promoting culinary tourism in the Philippines
The culinary tourism event started two years ago and has already conducted 12 legs. Attendees enjoy the food festival’s food and eating demonstrations,
Among the country’s food tourism destinations previously highlighted by Kain Na! were Bicol, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Pampanga, Laguna, Davao, Bacolod, Manila, Iloilo, and Baguio.
The succeeding legs of Kain Na! will continue to explore the different culinary tourism treasures in the Philippines. In October, Food Trips will be the highlight, followed by Slow Food, Slow Travel in November, and finally Christmas Cravings in December.
The culinary tourism event goes online to serve the country’s own delights right at the comforts of everyone’s home from September 15-18.
