UN tourism secretary proposes educational gastronomy center in Cebu

United Nations Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Polikashvili has proposed the establishment of the first educational gastronomy center in Cebu.

According to a statement by the Department of Tourism, Polikashvili said that the proposal was a sudden idea inspired by the "signature warmth of the Filipino hospitality" as he delivered his address during the first ever UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy on Wednesday.

DOT Secretary Christina Frasco and Basque Culinary Center Director of Masters and Courses Idoia Calleja welcomed the proposal.

"We are certainly very open to any discussions whether it be funding, curriculum, and the like. We have the support of the national government and, importantly as well, we have the support of those that will help us in the flourishing of this academy, our chefs, not to mention the Basque Culinary Center," said Frasco.

"I am very happy to share our vision of education in gastronomy of the Philippine center which is important to elevate the level of chefs ability to work with a lot of sectors and to promote gastronomy," added Calleja.

The first ever UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy was recently held at Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu and will run until June 27. The event included 400 participants from over 40-member states.

—Jiselle Anne Casucian/MGP, GMA Integrated News