THIRTY local food establishments participated in this year’s “Cebu in a Bite” event, which significantly elevated Cebu’s culinary scene by providing vital exposure and networking for food entrepreneurs.
The event, organized for the Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2025 by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, highlighted the island’s commitment to fostering its vibrant food ecosystem.
Strategically co-located with BAICON 2025, the country’s premier content creator conference, “Cebu in a Bite” drew food enthusiasts, digital influencers and industry professionals.
This collaboration created “unprecedented opportunities for local vendors to amplify their brand reach,” according to Carlo Olano, CBM “Cebu in a Bite” champion. “Content creators became organic ambassadors for these homegrown establishments,” he added.
The event featured a diverse representation of Cebu’s food culture, from traditional favorites like ngohiong, tuslob-buwa and inasal, to innovative offerings such as Bosang and Croffles.
Olano said the goal was to “present the full spectrum of Cebu’s culinary identity under one roof,” resulting in “an exceptional blend of heritage flavors, culinary innovation and accessible pricing.”
Participating businesses included Jerbie’s Kandingan, Wella’s Barbecue Sa Larsian, Croffles, Chef Pablo, LK Bakery, Flix and Chill, Balamban Liempo, Casa Verde, Cluck Sarap, Unlisted Burger, Don Lemon, Lechon Co and Baka Na Pud.
The event celebrated entrepreneurial success, with businesses like Chef Pablo and Unlisted Burger serving as prime examples.
Dayne Mejorado Fernandez, founder of Chef Pablo, started her fried chicken business at 19 from a rolling cart and now boasts 32 branches across Cebu, Bohol and Southern Leyte. She attributed her success to “persistence and commitment to quality” despite “multiple setbacks and failures.”
Jhon Pescador, owner of Unlisted Burger, pivoted from aircraft maintenance to pursue his passion for food service. His artisanal burger business now operates seven locations, emphasizing quality by crafting both buns and patties in-house. Pescador similarly noted, “The key was refusing to surrender to setbacks.”
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival supported the initiative, expressing aspirations for “Cebu in a Bite” to become an annual tradition with expanded scale.
The inaugural event successfully met its dual mission of celebrating Cebu’s rich food heritage and serving as a launchpad for local food entrepreneurs, reinforcing the city’s position as a dynamic culinary destination where heritage and innovation converge. / KOC