Cebu to hold first ever food and wine festival

CEBU, Philippines —  Stakeholders in the culinary industry in Cebu have stepped up to fight the difficulties brought about by the pandemic to hold the first ever (in the new normal setting) “Cebu Food and Wine Festival” (CFWF).

Organized by The Ministry of Food & Wine, a nonprofit organization created to assist in implementing a road to recovery project for local hotels, resorts and restaurants and allied industries, the two-week event is slated on April 18 to May 2, 2021.

It is tasked with crafting unique food and wine experiences monthly, culminating in a province-wide Cebu Food & Wine Festival during the Quincentennial Celebrations in April 2021.

“The Ministry’s mission is to elevate, stimulate, and support the food and wine supply chain in Cebu.”

Led by restaurateur Kate Dychangco-Anzani of the Anzani Group, the CFWF also highlights Cebu’s local products and farmers.

“We do want to make noise to support everyone else,” said Anzani.

The CFWF is a movement to create an alliance amongst the industry players with one goal in mind - to once again enliven the pandemic-ravaged hospitality, tourism and culinary scene of Cebu.

So far 25 restaurants, hotels and restaurants have signed up to join the festival, which events are spread through the 2-week duration, in strict observance of health protocols and maintain social distancing.

  CFWF kickstarts with a Reception Beach Dinner to be held at Crimson Resort and Spa on April 18, 2021 (4:00pm) where guests can savor numerous Brunch action stations along with sparkling wine, Rose and unique cocktails by the beach.

Curated pocket events will be held in the entire 10-day duration, including Farmers’ Market that will run for 2 Saturdays. This is where local farmers are invited to sell their fresh produce directly to consumers.

There will also be cooking classes, pop-up dinners, seminars and food and wine tastings, farm tours, silent auctions, among others.

Events will also be spread in different locations in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu. Wine tastings and will only be held outside of Cebu City as the city has currently imposed a liquor ban.

 The group has created an online portal cebufoodandwinefestival.com to observe contactless transactions. Event schedules and rates are done online, including interest of other culinary stakeholders to participate.

According to Anzani, there is no better time to re-start the industry running, but now. In these trying times, everybody needs everyone. No competition, but “coopetition”.

The organizers are also appealing to Cebuanos to support the festival, if only to jumpstart the economic recovery especially in the culinary and hospitality sectors.