Alan L Timbayan (second left), Ambassador of the Philippines to Qatar, cutting a ribbon with Ammar Samad (third right), Hotel Manager, The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa; Chef Michelle Adrillana (second right), and other guests during the opening of the Philippi
DOHA: The week-long Philippine Food Festival which launched on Sunday at The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa is a rare treat to tantalise the taste buds of adventurous foodies in Doha with wide-ranging authentic Filipino cuisine on offer.
The food fest takes foodies on a culinary journey around the Philippines featuring well-known Filipino Chef Michelle Adrillana who brought a slice of the Philippines for people to savour through Filipino specialities on offer at Seasonal Tastes Restaurant.
From popular street food such as the ubiquitous Kwek Kwek, fish balls and Dinamita to varieties of Pares, Adobo, Sinigang and Ginataan, the festival is a feast to a wide range of tastes, not to mention an array of Filipino staple food rice cooked in different styles using unique ingredients, a profusion of meat, seafood and poultry dishes as well as sumptuous Filipino desserts.
Adding to the festive ambiance, the restaurant was decked out with colourful iconic symbols that depict Philippine culture and tradition. Officially launching the food festival, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar Alan L Timbayan underscored the rich culture of the Philippines reflected through its cuisine whose diversity of flavours reveal varied influences from centuries of interactions with other cultures.
“Tonight , we wish to share with you the rich history, arts, culture, tradition and music of the Philippines through our cuisine. It is a celebration of the vibrant life of the Filipinos and showcases the connectivity of our country’s history to the rest of the world through the infusion of Malay, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and American flavours in our food,” said the envoy.
He also stressed that food is an essential element of Filipino life and a highlight of celebrations and festivals across the Philippines.
“Filipinos celebrate the important events and milestones in life through our culinary expressions as well as colourful festivals celebrated in the different regions of the country. Through this project, we hope to share with you bits and pieces of our country through the expression of our food,” he said.
Ambassador Timbayan, along with Ammar Samad, hotel manager of The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa, and Chef Michelle opened the festival. Officials of other diplomatic missions including Thailand, Vietnam and Brunei were among the guests at the launch event which also featured live entertainment. The food festival, presented in cooperation with the Philippine Embassy, runs until May 5 at Seasonal Tastes Restaurant at The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa.
