ILOILO City has made its mark in the country's culinary map.
This after the Department of Tourism (DOT) brought Filipino-American (FilAm) Chefs Tom Cunanan, Grant "Lanai" Tabura, and Charles Olalia to Iloilo, one of the most exciting food havens in Western Visayas, last November 13.
Chef Rafael Jardeleza Jr. toured them around Jaro Huebesan, also known as the Jaro Thursday Market.
They also found their way in a food crawl to sample Ilonggo specialties like Deco's La Paz Batchoy, Tatoy's native chicken in Arevalo, and pasalubong favorites including original barquillos of De Ocampo's, as well as the famed Roberto's siopao in City Proper.
They also visited the Farm to Table restaurant in Mandurriao for a special Ilonggo merienda cena or snacks, and Camiña Balay nga Bato in Molo to try a cup of hot tablea or native chocolate.
DOT embarked on a gastronomic journey dubbed as Chefs' Food Trip to the Philippines, a two-week tour around the country's most popular culinary destinations.
They met with seasoned Filipino chefs and learned about the richness of the Philippine culinary scene.
Cunanan of Bad Saint in Washington D.C.; Tabura, winner of the Great Food Truck Race; and Olalia of Ma'am Sir restaurant in Los Angeles, aim to inspire food enthusiasts. (PR)