Flavors of Dumaguete: A Taste of the World on a Single Plate

In the midst of a giant crowd, the sweet aroma of delicious food filled the air, as the 1st cooking extravaganza was about to take place in the City of Gentle People. The Rizal Boulevard was bursting with life, with both locals and tourists excited to take part of the event that would make culinary history and place Dumaguete, yet again, on the map of the world’s best places to be in. Then as dusk drew nearer, the stage lights lit up and beamed across the sea of faces and the celebration of international cuisine and Dumaguete’s rich cultural heritage began.

An Oriental Delight. Chap Chae Noodles, Beef rounds and kimchi from Soban “The Best Korean Restaurant”.

Such was the scene during the recently concluded Flavors of Dumaguete, last September 27, 2015. The best local restaurants and food establishments participated in the event to join in the city’s commemoration of World Tourism Month. The event was geared towards promoting the local and international cuisines available in the city. The participants were Gabby’s Bistro, Lab-As Seafood Restaurant, KRI, Chin Loong, Coco Amigos, Soban Korean Restaurant, Chiccos Deli, Sans Rival, Tarbush, La Residencia Almar, Massive Munchies, Taco Surf, Casa Blanca, DACA, and Team Skills. It was also attended by the students from the four major universities, including the different schools and colleges in the city as well.

City Tourism Officer Woodrow Maquiling Jr. welcoming everyone to the celebration of World Tourism Day and Flavors of Dumaguete.

City Tourism Officer Woodrow Maquiling Jr. welcomed everybody to the event and emphasized the importance of patronizing our home grown restaurants because they paved the way for the city’s rising national and worldwide popularity. He also acknowledged the students who came to see our very own professional chefs in action. He referred to the students as the future of the tourism industry of the city and province as a whole.

Mayor Manuel Chiquiting Sagarbaria gave his inspirational World Tourism Day Message challenging Dumaguetenyos to show the world who they really are. He proudly announced that because of the people and the private sector working hand in hand with the government, Dumaguete is now one of the best places to retire in, in the world according to Forbes magazine.

The show was nothing short of a cultural spectacle as well because the Kahayag Dance Troupe took center stage and performed various folk and modern dances as the event unfolded. When it came to the most awaited part of the program which was the food tasting, resounding cheers and laughter replaced the sound of clanging dishes and utensils, then dinner was served.

Specialty Rice. A signature rice dish from Kri “Your neighborhood restaurant”.

According to one of the organizers Ms. Katherine Therese Aguilar of the City Tourism Office, the event was a success and they were very happy with the outcome. The event was initially designed to be a knowledge exchange program hence they invited various tourism students, but they did not expect the overwhelming support of the community as well. Event hosts Mr. Joel Sanico Aba and Ms. Mimi Uy also had their own take on the show. Mr. Aba said that it was high time that the food culture of Dumaguete was featured to promote its tourism industry, while Ms. Uy mentioned how it was a smart move by the city to incorporate food in the celebration of World Tourism Month because everybody of different ages from all walks of life enjoys eating and bonding over food.

For each stall, there was a constant influx people lining up to grab a bite of the free dishes being served. Chef Juan Antonio Teves from Sans Rival Bistro told Food Trip Dumaguete that it was a nerve racking yet fun experience cooking for a big crowd, while Chef Marissa Tubio of Soban Korean Restaurant enjoyed cooking unlimited serves of kimchi, she would definitely join another event like this in the future if given the chance. In as much as the chefs had fun, the crowd also had some of their favourites like the pies of Massive Munchies which had a lot of kiddie patrons. An American retiree who introduced himself as Sir Paul, and is now a resident of Valencia thought of the event as a wonderful chance to acquaint himself of where to eat when in the city. He mentioned that his favourite dish was the peccadillo and fajitas of Coco Amigos. Never the less everybody got a chance to taste all the savoury dishes for free.

True enough, the city’s development and popularity continues to sky rocket as more and more establishments open for business, but better yet, it is the charm and wit of its people, the peaceful, laid back way of life, and the mouth-watering food that makes it an unprecedented tourist destination and home to many.

The Flavors of Dumaguete is definitely one of the events worth having and repeating. As early as now, people are already looking forward to the same culinary extravaganza with the hopes of it becoming a bigger and better food festival in the years to come.

Students paying close attention to a master chef seasoning his dish to perfection.

Keeping it light and healthy. Rice-veggie rolls from Kri “Your neighborhood restaurant”.

Jampacked! Students from the schools all over the city take part of the 1st Flavors of Dumaguete.

Wrapped with love. Authentic shawarma from Tarbush.

Choco loco. Chocolate mouse from Teamskills Dumaguete.

A Unique Twist. Pork humba and chicken adobo maki from TeamSkills.

Taco Surf’s glorious maki platter.

Chef Gabby Del Prado of Gabby’s Bistro overseeing the preparation of the ingredients for their Banana Crepe.

Mashed Potato goodness and Pork Steak Manuel from Sans Rival Bistro.

An all time favorite. Baked talaba with cheese from Lab As Seafood Restaurant.

Photographer | Shasha Borromeo Sibala