MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tour- ism (DOT), with Spain’s Foro de Debate and Arum Estrategias Internacionalizacion, recently announced the return next year of the hugely successful Madrid Fusion Manila (MFM) on April 7-9, 2016.
The signing ceremony held at the ballroom of Fairmont Hotel in Makati also served as a thanksgiving re- ception attended by government and non-government sponsors, industry partners and featured Filipino chefs who made the maiden edition of Madrid Fusion Manila anoverwhelming success. They were all given a plaque of appreciation with a miniature native palayok symbolic of their invaluable support of Philippine tourism through culinary excellence.
Featured Filipino chefs who received the awards include Fernando Aracama, J.C. de Terry, Margarita Fores, J. Gamboa, Jose Luis Gonzales, Pepe Lopez, Rob Pengson, Bruce Ricketts, Myrna Seguismundo and Claude Tayag.
Asked why MFM has re- turned so soon, DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said that people cheer for more and more after a successful run. And it is not usual to find a culinary community as closely knit as the Filipinos, who are always ready to share their secrets, always ready to share their talents, the tourism chief added.
“Success, indeed, does not come easy. MFM required a great deed of collaboration, and many people worked be- hind the scenes to make it a success. It takes a year to prepare, and we are determined to get a headstart in claiming Manila’s rightful place as the center of culinary excellence in the region. So, let’s get started,” Jimenez said.
Meanwhile, Lourdes Plana of Foro de Debate announced that the international chefs who have confirmed atten- dance in MFM 2016 include 3-Michelin Star chef Eneko Atxa and 2-Michelin Star chef Yoshihiro Narisawa of Tokyo, and 3-Michelin Star chef Joan Roca of Girona, Spain.