DOT, Ayala Malls launch culinary fair

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) continues the rollout of its Kain Na! food and travel fair as it recently launched the program south of Metro Manila, aimed at promoting the various culinary offerings of the country.

In a statement, the DOT said it launched the three-day event at the Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa on Oct. 4, which showcased the food and farm tourism offerings of Region 4B (MIMAROPA), Region 7 (Central Visayas), among others.

Kain Na! is organized through a partnership between the DOT and Ayala Malls. It was first launched last year, in various locations across the country such as Bacolod, Albay, Cebu, Laguna, among others.

Last month, the DOT and Ayala Malls launched the first 2019 edition of the food and travel fair at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.

“Aside from showcasing our richly diverse Filipino culinary heritage Kain Na! also hosted business-to-business meetings in the “Food and Farm Tourism Exchange, where regional culinary and farm tourism sellers will meet with Manila-based buyers and tour operators,“Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

AyalaLand Mall Inc. president Jenylle Tupas emphasized that this year’s Kain Na! features a cross-regional farm and culinary tourism fair.

“Each mall adopts and promotes sellers, farmers and tour operators from specific regions, taking them out of their natural centers of commerce, and giving them an even wider platform at different Ayala Malls nationwide,” Tupas said.

In addition, this year’s Kain Na! will also highlight a food and farmer’s market where suppliers of iconic Filipino heritage cuisine and delicacies will be selling their wares along with local farms that will sell a variety of fresh agricultural products.

“There will be culinary and farm tourism presentations to whet the appetite of visitors to go on food trips to explore and discover the many flavors of the Philippines,” the DOT said.

The Kain Na! South Edition’s exhibitors include regional farm tourism associations, farm owners and operators supported by partner agency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) as well as regional tour operators who will be selling various culinary and farm tourism packages.