PHL’s first European Food Festival happening this month

What comes to mind when someone mentions European cuisine? Some may associate it with fine dining, but there’s more to it than just that. Its wide range of cuisines encompasses the different countries of the continent, and that’s what we will discover in the first-ever European Food Festival in the Philippines.

The EU-Philippines Business Network (EPBN) is hosting this month-long festival celebrated in conjunction with Europe Month. Diners can indulge in authentic European cuisine at these participating restaurants:

• Balkan
• Brotzeit
• Carpacio
• Caruso Ristorante Italiano
• Cyma
• Cirkulo
• Maria Louisa’s Garden Room
• Paul Boulangerie
• Poco Deli
• Restaurant 101 (Enderun)
• Salvatore Cuomo
• Tauro Pintxos Tapas Wine Bar
• Wagner German Bakery

Here are three good reasons why you should participate in the festival.

Smoked salmon tapas and other Spanish dishes were offered at the press preview for the European Food Festival. Photos: Nikka Sarthou

1. You can explore Europe with your palate

“Throughout the whole month of May, you’ll get to experience the rich heritage Europe has to offer especially when it comes to cuisine,” said European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines executive director and EPBN project director Florian Gottein.

For those who haven’t fully experienced European gastronomy, now is the perfect time to do so. Some of the featured cuisines are French, Greek, German, Yugoslavian, and Spanish. Here’s your chance to try new things you haven’t tried before, but don’t worry because there’s something for every taste.

Even familiar cuisines, such as Italian, will have something beyond the usual dishes to offer.

The burrata at Caruso Ristorante Italiano would please cheese lovers.

2. The festival will strengthen ties between the Philippines and Europe

The food and beverage sector in the Philippines is growing at a rate of five percent a year and the EPBN aims to provide a support framework for European companies interested in either exporting to or investing in the Philippines. Through the festival, the EPBN wishes to support the local food and beverage industry and the overall trade relations between Europe and the Philippines.

Some of the importers who are participating in the festival are Asia Banff International, Fly Ace Corporation, Heineken, Illy, Italfood Distribution Inc., Lutosa, Molly, MetroMart.com, Pomurske Mlekarne, Säntis Delicatessen, Teeling Whiskey, and Werdenberg International Corp.

These names bring in our favorite olive oils, sausages, frozen fries, coffee, alcoholic beverages, and many more high-quality products that you can take home and share with your loved ones.

Belgian fries from potato product supplier Lutosa.

3. You will have a chance to win a trip to Europe

As if eating all the good food isn’t enough, diners at the participating restaurants will get a chance to join a raffle every time they avail of the special dishes. For the whole month of May, those who purchase a minimum of P400 from the featured menus will be qualified to join the raffle where the prizes include several gift certificates and the grand prize of two round-trip tickets to Europe from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

From a meal in Manila to having tea and croissant at a charming patisserie in Paris… Now, isn't that a good reason to participate in the festival? — BM, GMA News

For more information on the European Food Festival, visit www.epbn.ph/eufoodfest2017 or email eff2017@epbn.ph.