Melo Villareal
Philippine Culinary Guide Wins Oscars For Books
A pioneering guide on Philippine culinary heritage tourism, Food Holidays, was chosen as one of the “Best in the World”, by esteemed international panel of judges at the 22nd Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. Mr. Edouard Cointreau founded the prestigious award-giving body in 1995 to honor the best books on food and wine across the globe. It was hailed by international journalists as the “Oscars” for books. Mr. Cointreau is the president of Paris Cookbook Fair and the World Association of Food TV Producers. He belongs to the Cointreau liquer on his paternal side of the family, and Cognacs Frapin and Remy Martin on his maternal side.
Every year, Gourmand gives the award in a very special location for gastronomy. This year, the celebration took place in Yantai, the wine capital of China. More than four hundred important persons from over fifty countries graced the event: publishers, authors, chefs, and journalists.
Food Holidays is a 200-page collector’s edition authored by renowned tour operator and culinary heritage advocate, Clang Garcia. It took her more than three years of research across the islands, to bring together the most valuable contents highlighting the gastronomic treasures of the Philippines. It provides interesting insights on history and culture in relation to foods of every destination. The only itinerary-based guide that contains contact details of every pit stop categorized in three sections: Culinary Day Tours, Overnight Food Trips, and Three Delicious Days. Foodies will just have to bring the book and follow the trail.
Heirloom recipes were also documented from the islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, that dates back since 16th century. This is part of the advocacy to cook to life forgotten recipes and preserve the country’s intangible heritage.
Clang Garcia proudly shares, “This is a moment of victory for Philippine culinary heritage tourism. It is my earnest wish for the publication to serve as a strong channel to seduce fellow Filipinos and international gastro-tourists, to travel around the Philippines for Food Holidays.”
To taste the contents of the publication, the author herself provides a curated tour with creatively designed culinary experience. For a minimum of twenty people, she runs the following: Malolos: Food and the Revolution, Cavite: From Galleon Trade Heritage to Philippine Independence, Arts and Flavors of Antipolo-Angono, Bicol: The Coco-Spice Adventures, Iloilo-Bacolod: From Batchoy to Hacienda Tours, and more. For inquiries, please email: [email protected] or like the Facebook page Food Holidays for tour schedule.
Food Holidays are available the major bookstores and online at www.Amazon.com and www.TheKitchenBookstore.com
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