A NEGRENSE chef is representing the Philippines in the ongoing Tuna Route Festival in Porto Santo, Madeira, Portugal.
Chef Don Angelo Colmenares, of Berbeza Bistro, joins other international chefs from Australia, France, Italy, Japan, Spain and Portugal in showcasing their respective tuna gastronomic dishes during the five-day event starting Wednesday, June 5.
Colmenares, a native of Hinigaran town, prepared four dishes, including "Seared Tuna Paksiw" with White Adlai and "Toasted Coconut Tuna Kinilaw" at the festival's Philippine Day Wednesday.
The Philippine Embassy in Portugal, in a statement, said the country, through Colmenares, will be able to promote and raise awareness on the growing interest of the tastes and flavors of Philippine cuisine in the global culinary scene.
Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna Feria will also be at the event to promote not only Philippine culinary diplomacy but also encourage the Portuguese to consider the country as a tourist destination.
Colmenares, in his Facebook post, said he is very honored to represent the Philippines in the international event.
"I will be representing the Philippines, Negros Occidental and Hinigaran in Portugal. I will try my best to make everyone proud and represent my country to the best of my abilities," he added.
The Tuna Route Festival in the island of Porto Santo is now on its second year.
The embassy said Porto Santo is responsible for more than 60 percent of the total tuna fishery quota in Portugal.
The festival is a gastronomic and tourism event that also promotes the sustainability of the Portuguese fishery industry.
The Tuna Route Festival is an event promoted by Vila Baleira Resort with the support of the Regional Secretariat for Agriculture and Fisheries of the Regional Secretariat for Tourism and Culture and the Madeira Promotion Association.
Prior to this, Colmenares has been a featured guest-chef in several culinary expositions in the Philippines, including Madrid Fusion Manila. He was a featured chef of Negros Occidental during the International Food Exposition (Ifex) Philippines 2018. His presentation included the "Tom-law with Buha," a tanguigui "kinilaw" creation with flavors of tomyum and coconut.
Colmenares was also part of other regional and provincial culinary events, including Flavors of Western Visayas in 2018 where he showcased his "Manok sa ubod and monggo"; Department of Tourism-sponsored "Kaon Na Ta" Festival in December last year with his "Ginataan nga Monggo with Smoked Langka and Lampirong"; and Panaad 2019 "Kaon na Ta" event with his signature "Seared Tuna Pinaksiw."
He also graced the Governor's Table at the Arima Night of the Negros Trade Fair in 2017 with his "Faux Molo."
"Chef Don regularly represents Negros Occidental. His native recipes with creative twists do not fail to impress us," executive assistant to the governor Joy Ogan said.