filipino food festival @ the marco polo

photo courtesy of beejing

after almost two weeks of rest, finally an invite! and what could be better than a food event? none! nuuk! i know that sounds so "patay gutom" like but really... an event where you'll get stuffed is just the event to be in! and mind you, this is no ordinary food event. this is the press launch of the 3rd filipino food festival at the marco polo, graced by celebrity chefs gino and gene gonzalez. 

photo courtesy of beejing (left to right: chef gino, chef gene)

father and son tandem (guess who's the father?). i know it's difficult to tell, more like brothers eh? ahem! (you like that chef gene?) nuuk! fyi - chef gene is judy ann's culinary teacher and he lead the  food preparation during her wedding.

on their interview in the photo above, we asked what the difference is between the past filipino food festivals and this 3rd one.

chef gino "we're playing around with the concept of regional food, then taking some indigenous or local ingredient and turning it into something different."

chef gene "let's do cuisine with a twist. let's do what we love doing."

the food...

photo courtesy of beejing

this is not everything on the buffet. in fact, the one course that i found most delectable is not in the photos...dried squid and pomelo salad. yum mee... the salty taste of the squid complemented the sourness of the pomelo. homaygad, i am salivating as i'm typing. *gulps*

1 - cebu tomato party; we were greeted by this interesting drink at the marco polo's lounge

2 - pinsec lasap

3 - marinated grilled kesong puti

4 - samal rice; black rice that had sliced squid for toppings. "kanin pa lang pwede nang ulam"

5 - desserts; left to right: salabat creme brulee, mango and coconut pannacotta, dried mango sansrival and ilang-ilang ice cream

6 - pakbet serbesa con carcar

7 - us beef belly asado

*burps* what a meal that was! thanks marco polo for inviting us to the 3rd filipino food festival. until next time!

you too can enjoy the same food at the marco polo from june 20-26 for the filipino food festival. for inquiries and reservation you may call 253-1111 loc 8245.