Flavourful Heritage of Quezon Culinary

Quezon province has been at the forefront of culinary tourism from way back early 2000. Since then, it has grown so much and, this event is an invitation to come cook and dine in the province this summer.

The Tourism Organization of Quezon Province Philippines, Inc. (TOQPPI) together with Department of Tourism and local government units kick-started on the 24th of March the ¨Makulay na Pamana ng Quezon Kulinarya¨ a month-long celebration of local food and dining experience.

¨It´s time to put Quezon in the culinary world map.¨ exclaimed by current the President of the TOQPPI Chef Alfonso Rafael Jose Ranido. ¨We can say, that we are a coconut province, so dishes that associate to coconut are our products. Like the dishes today for our dégustation are our heirloom recipes that really represent our culture and way of life here in Quezon.¨ he said further.

VIANDS

¨Minanok¨ might sound like a chicken dish but it is not, thus its main ingredient is beef and the term ¨minanok¨ pertains to the way of cooking the dish, a la tinolang manok.

SWEETS

¨Minukmok¨ is a classic dish that reflects the courtship ritual in Quezon. When a man is serious in pursuing the woman he likes, he will visit and ask her parents for a “pakikipag mukmukan”. He will then pound ingredients of “minukmok or nilupak” in a wooden mortar and pestle as the woman will mix using a wooden spoon. The pounding and mixing should run smooth, as this reflects their future relationship. Once finished, the dish will be served to the woman’s parents to judge the taste and texture. Upon consent, the man will then formally court the woman.

OTHER LOCAL PRODUCE

“They say, what completes the satisfaction of every tourist is food, but it should be more than that because creating a dish that we serve on the table has many stories.” – DOT Region 4A Regional Director Rebecca Labit. Quezon is successful in promoting this, whereas such tours initiated by Ms. Tina Decal of Kulinarya Tagala in 2005. Until now, the province has never left the limelight of culinary tours.

The event was the kick-off of the month-long celebration of the Flavors of the Philippines. “This serves as an invitation to the main event is the Madrid Fusion happening on 6th-8th April at the SMX Convention Center SM Mall of Asia.” – Ms. Verna Buensuceso, DOT Marketing.

What are you waiting for foodies? Head on to Quezon this month!

Disclaimer: My visit was part of a press trip sponsored by the Department of Tourism Region 4-A Calabarzon. All views and opinions are my own. Received freebies but no money involved.