Department Of Tourism – Philippines: KAIN NA Makes A Comeback In Tagaytay

As part of its ongoing efforts to revitalize the country’s local food tourism scene, the Department of Tourism (DOT), in collaboration with Ayala Malls, hosted another hybrid staging of the KAIN NA! Food and Travel Festival from December 9 to 12, 2021 at the Ayala Serin Mall in Tagaytay City, Cavite.

This issue’s theme, “Traveling Flavors,” is a nod to the Philippines’ centennial celebrations, particularly the Galleon Trade, which facilitated the meeting and blending of eastern and western flavours, ingredients, and cooking techniques that Filipino culinary landscape.

Tourism Minister Berna Romulo-Puyat stated, “With the palates and creativity of the Filipino diaspora, they have contributed our unique flavor profiles, regional cuisines, and ingredients in a variety of inventive and interesting ways.”

“While inbound tourism is currently restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing discussions on Filipino flavors and food tourism experiences remain one of the best ways to keep the Philippines in the minds of tourists and travelers, whom we will welcome with a burst of fun flavors once the situation allows,” Puyat added.

Eleven booths were put up for the event, each promoting a different product or service from food and farm tourism partners nationwide.

These exhibitors participated in this year’s KAIN NA:

• From the National Capital Region (NCR), the Muntinlupa City Women Producers Cooperative and My Little Oven By Simplicity;
• Ilocos Sur Provincial Government (Region 1)
• From Region III, Duran Farm and Myriad Farm;
• Region 4A’s Farmshare Agritourism Park and Uma Verde Econature Farm Inc.
• Merls Native Delicacies and Caramay Coffee Planters from Region 4B;
• Mediodia’s Delicacies and Nanay Patring Recipe from Region 6; Asia Pacific Aqua Marine, Inc. from Region 6; Mediodia’s Delicacies and Nanay Patring Recipe from Region 6; Mediodia’s Delicacies and Nanay Patring Recipe from
• Region 7’s Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative;
• Region 9’s Jane’s Food Products; and
• CARAGA’s Alameda Farm

This edition of KAIN NA! also featured three virtual symposia on cultural influences in the cuisine and gastronomy of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, in addition to its signature food webinars, Global Prospectives, Food Tourism Exchange, and Food Tourism 101.

Distinguished chefs and restaurateurs Jessica Gonzales of Paris, France’s Bobi Filipino Cuisine and Chele Gonzalez of Gallery by Chele, the 2019 James Beard Award winner for Outstanding Chef, were among the presenters (Mid-Atlantic) Tom Cunanan, Carlo Lamagna, chef-owner of Magna, a contemporary Filipino restaurant in Portland, Oregon, Christina Sunae, chef-owner of Cocina Sunae, Sunae Asian Cantina in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Alfie and Carmelita Escabarte, Co-Founders of Thrilla in Manila.

KAIN NA! Representatives of the Food Tourism Consortium and stakeholders in CALABARZON met for business discussions.