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Saturday, November 26, 2005
Ong: Celebrating food and entrepreneurship
By Ted Aldwin Ong
I AM giving way to my usual topic covering political and social issues for a significant activity that aims to boost the Ilonggo culture and in support to emerging entrepreneurs engaged in food business.
Three groups act as organizers of the 2nd Visayas Food Conference on December 2-3, 2005 at Amigo Terrace Hotel, namely: the UPV Food Technologists' Alumni Association, the JCIP Metro Iloilo Dinagyang (Jaycees), an affiliate of the Junior Chamber International and the UPV School of Technology.
The conference aims to look into the many facets of food business operations in order to strengthen the local industry. Hence, the theme focus in "sustaining the fastfood, restaurant, bars and catering business" in the Visayas region. Undeniably, food business in Iloilo City is one of the most dynamic and competitive making Iloilo a significant place for this gathering.
I was able to get first hand experience in fastfood and restaurant operations especially in the areas of marketing, advertising, and customer service as a young marketing assistant of a number one and fast growing fastfood chain in the Philippines. Some of my colleagues were able to venture into the marketing career because of their experience and exposure to competitive marketing as a student and part-time worker.
The conference hopes to achieve many things in two days time. Participants coming from different areas in the Visayas will be able to learn methods, techniques and sustainable practices in food business and enhance appreciation of the best practices in food preparation.
Also, they will be able to recognize the factors affecting food business today and understand formula and system in recipe costing, pricing and inventory management. One important topic will emphasize new trends in marketing and customer service.
Jay Abad Santos, my colleague in the Dinagyang Jaycees and the current area manager of the Consolidated Distillers, Inc. -- the makers of Carlo Rossi Wine, Wild Vines and Emperador Brandy will sponsor a fellowship night with food paring and wine appreciation seminar. The seminar is open to interested participants at a cost to share the many benefits of wine drinking.
The organizers headed by Mara Posecion, a university research associate of UPV, draws the red carpet to Heinz-UFC as they go all out as the main sponsor of the conference. Its area sales manager for Visayas, Eugene Sunio will present a topic on customer service.
During the press conference, Eugene Sunio presented quite a number of issues including the impact of the newly implemented expanded Value Added Tax to the food industry. Worth noting is his concern to uplift the standards of customer service in restaurant business. My friend Miguel Cordova, owner of Afriques, could have been flattered after Eugene Sunio recognized Afriques as the best tasting pizza in town.
I can only agree with Eugene Sunio. Miguel Cordova's first love is cooking and culinary arts and not broadcasting as a mass communications graduate. This is the reason why he preferred to enroll in the Center for Culinary Arts and venture into food business instead of pursuing a broadcasting career. I'm sure he did not regret doing what he truly loves to do in life.
The Ilonggos are noted food lovers. The upcoming conference is a celebration of food, culture and entrepreneurship. From this gathering will emerge not only best practices, but also more industry players in the future who will specialize in interesting menu than the already popular batchoy. (Comments to tao.ssi@gmail.com )
(November 26, 2005 issue)
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