Page 33 - 2017 JUL -DEC KAAKBAY

July to December 33
2017

Philippine Delegation Promotes Unique Food Items at Kosherfest in New Jersey

The Department of Trade and Industry, together with 9 manufacturing companies from the Philippines, exhibited in
Kosherfest, the largest business-to-business trade event for the Kosher industry, held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center
in New Jersey from 14 to 15 November.

Director Senen Perlada of the Export Marketing Bureau noted, “This is a promising niche market for the companies
that are part of the delegation, especially since we are offering products that are not available from other exhibitors.” He was
referring to the innovative coconut oil and coconut sugar, pili nuts snacks, corn rice and other specialty grains,, dried tropical
fruits and juices being promoted at the Philippine booth. The 9 participant companies were Greenlife Coconut Products Phils.
Inc., Team Asia Corp., Tropicana Food Products Inc., Mama Tina Pasta Company Inc., Philippine Foremost Milling Corp., In-
novative Packaging Industry Corp., Subic Superfood Inc., Amley Food Corp, and Churner Group Inc.

Part of an Outbound Business Matching Mission from the Philippines to the USA, the delegation to the Kosherfest
aims to increase exports of premium value food products.

A Jewish man inquires about the Suchero Director for DTI-Export Promotions Bureau Senen Perlada (4th from right) Director Perlada introduces the corn rice
coconut sugar being promoted by the heads the Philippine delegation to the Kosherfest 2017. Vice Consul from the Mama Tina Pasta Company.(All
Churner Group. Khrystina Corpuz-Popov (3rd from right), Senior Trade Representative Nic Photos from PCGNY)
Bautista (leftmost), and Economic Assistant Beverly Pellosis (2nd from left)
visit the exhibitors.

Philippine Cuisine Wows at Culinary Tour Launch in New York

Any discussion on the Philippine Food Movement would not be complete without the husband and wife team of Chef
Romy Dorotan and food scholar Amy Besa.

In the restaurant business for 22 years in the Philippines and New York, Romy and Amy embarked on another
culinary adventure with the North American Philippine Culinary Tour dubbed “Hidden Flavors of the Filipino Kitchen” from
September to October 2017. Hitting four cities – Seattle, Chicago, Toronto, and Philadelphia, the tour showcased the use of
indigenous and often rare ingredients from the Philippines to create meals that truly reflect the flavors of the soil, water, and air
of the country.

Aside from Romy and Amy, Purple Yam Malate Chefs Rap Cristobal and Alvin Cruz joined the culinary team in
crafting dishes for the tour.

The tour kicked off with an exclusive launch for food writers, restauranteurs, food critics, and bloggers at the Lobby-

Gallery of the Philippine Center in New York. Co-sponsored by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine

Consulate General in New York, the launch was held on 19 September 2017. The event drew raves from the guests who are

either old fans of Philippine cuisine or just discovering its many complex flavors. Guests from media outfits such as the New

York Times, National Geographic, Forbes, and Buzzfeed came to the tasting. (Continue to page 34)

Chef Romy Dorotan assembles fresh lumpia for New York Times Deputy Food Editor Nick Fox, Chefs Rap Cristobal and Alvin Cruz at the food stations
the guests Congen Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Amy Besa
(photo by NYPCG)