World-renowned chefs, delegates, and officials from the Department of Tourism as well as Madrid Fusion gathered together at a welcome party held at the Mall of Asia’s scenic SM By the Bay. The event hosted by SM highlighted the continuing collaboration that began last year between SM and Madrid Fusion Manila.
A fiesta atmosphere permeated the place, with guests enjoying the sumptuous spread of local cuisine from Café Adriatico and Vikings, as well as a special showcase of different types of lechon or roast suckling pig. Adding to the enjoyment were local drinks from Tanduay, San Miguel, and Don Papa Rum of Kultura.
Seen enjoying the great food were director of Arum Estrategias Internacionalization Iñigo Cañego, Floro de Debate’s Lourdes Plana long with Michelin Star chefs from Spain Joan Roca, Fernando Perez Arellano, and Ricard Camarena. In a fusion of east and west, Asian-based foreign chefs savored culinary specialties from the Philippines that include Central’s chef Virgilio Martinez from Peru, Pujol’s chef Enrique Olvera from Mexico, Cuca’s award-winning chef Kevin Cherkas from Indonesia, and Pig and Khao’s chef Leah Cohen from the United States.
Japanese chef Yoshihiro Narisawa, considered as the pioneer of cuisine connected to the preservation of the natural environment, also enjoyed the fiesta fare together with Peruvian chef Karime Lopez Moreno and Hong Kong chef Nurdin Topham.
On hand to welcome the guests were DOT officials led by Verna Buensuceso and SM executives led by SM SVP for Marketing Jon Jon San Agustin and SM AVP for Operations Perkin So.
Aside from the great food, livening up the night was award winning dance group Team Vibe whose fantastic moves with an East meets West spectacle delighted the audience.
“SM, through its partnership with Madrid Fusion Manila and the DOT, through Flavors of the Philippines, is simply fulfilling its mission to bring families and friends together in one fun place through the enjoyment of everything flavorful,” remarked SM Supermalls senior vice president Steven Tan.
Madrid Fusion Manila 2016, which celebrates the 450th anniversary of the Galleon Trade that linked Asia – particularly the Philippines – with the Western World, highlights through The Manila Galleon: East Meets West theme. Madrid Fusion Manila, which was held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, is aimed at expanding the gastronomic conversation further, not only between Spain and the Philippines which share a deep culinary history, but also between many countries in the East and the West.
The Madrid Fusion welcome party is only one of the many exciting events lined up at SM Mall of Asia.