Madrid Fusion Manila is coming up in less than 2 weeks! We already know the stellar cast of international and Philippine-based chefs who will be taking part at the gastronomic event on April 24 to 26, 2015 that’s part conference-part trade show. (Click here for the list.)
What die-hard foodies are most interested in though is.. will they get to try the cooking of some of the best chefs in the world during this period at our very own shores?! The answer is YES– and they are all Four Hands Dinners alongside the hosting Philippine-based chef!
Here’s the list:
1) GALLERY VASK (APRIL 24 to 26, 2015)
APRIL 24, 2015 FRIDAY- ELENA ARZAK (ARZAK, SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN; 3 MICHELIN STARS; #8 BEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD) x JOSE LUIS “CHELE” GONZALEZ (GALLERY VASK/ VASK/ ARROZERIA, PHILIPPINES)
APRIL 25, 2015 SATURDAY- JOSE LUIS “CHELE” GONZALEZ (GALLERY VASK/ VASK/ ARROZERIA, PHILIPPINES)
APRIL 26, 2015 SUNDAY- ANDONI LUIS ADURIZ (MUGARITZ, SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN; 2 MICHELIN STARS; #6 BEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD) x JOSE LUIS “CHELE” GONZALEZ (GALLERY VASK/ VASK/ ARROZERIA, PHILIPPINES)
For inquiries and reservations, phone +63917-5461673
**A background behind the Mugaritz collaboration in my column in Forbes–> here.**
2) BLACK SHEEP (APRIL 25, 2015)
APRIL 25, 2015 SATURDAY- ALVIN LEUNG (BO INNOVATION, HONG KONG; 3 MICHELIN STARS; #28 BEST RESTAURANT IN ASIA; #97 BEST RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD) x JORDY NAVARRA (BLACK SHEEP, PHILIPPINES)
**Ivan Brehm (Bacchanalia, Singapore) will also be cooking alongside Navarra on a date before prior to Leung. Final details to be confirmed.
For inquiries and reservations, phone +63917-8714388
3) WRITER’S BAR, RAFFLES HOTEL MAKATI (APRIL 25, 2015)
APRIL 25, 2015 SATURDAY- PACO RONCERO (LA TERRAZA DEL CASINO, MADRID, SPAIN; 2 MICHELIN STARS) x MARGARITA FORES (LUSSO/ GRACE PARK/ CIBO, PHILIPPINES)
For inquiries and reservations, phone +632-555 9888
4) PENINSULA MANILA (APRIL 25, 2015)
APRIL 25, 2015 SATURDAY- MARIO SANDOVAL (COQUE, MADRID, SPAIN; 1-MICHELIN STAR) x MYRNA SEGISMUNDO (PHILIPPINES)
For inquiries and reservations, phone +632-8872888
Madrid Fusion Manila will be held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City from April 24 to 26, 2015. There will also be a Welcome Night at the SM by the Bay for the official delegates on the evening of the 24th. Likewise, SM Mall of Asia right next door will have a series of events to celebrate this occasion. They’ve even created a special poster for it!
The SM Malls (SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Aura Premier and SM Lanang Premier) also have a roster of activities for Madrid Fusion. Here’s the schedule:
SM Mall of Asia
Gourmet Weekend Market (April 24-26, 2015)
Spanish- themed Gourmet market in partnership with SM Hypermarket for delectable finds.
Special Dining Offers (April 15-30, 2015)
Mall of Asia restaurants is offering new food concepts that reflect culinary innovation and technique only available featuring special dishes with Spanish influence or cooked with the finest local produce, ingredients and flavor.
SM Megamall
#LOVEFOODLOVEMEGA Mega Dining Deals (April 17 to May 17, 2015)
Discounts, treats, freebies from various SM Megamall restaurants and cafes.
SM Aura Premier (5th Level, Skypark)
Spanish Fiesta April 19, 2015 (11am to 10pm)
Andale by Agave, Brasas, La Lola Churreria, Vom Fass, and Magnum Manila
Activities: Mechanical Bull Ride (11am-10pm)
Flamenco Dancers (330pm-830pm)
Musical Performances (11am-10pm)
SM Lanang Premier
Davao Pomelo Festival (April 10 – May 17, 2015)
Take part in a special feast featuring Davao’s favorite fruit–Pomelo. There’s an Eat-All-You-Can Pomelo all Saturdays and Sundays from April 18 until May 17.
Pomelo Culinary Demo (April 18-19, 2015 & April 25-26, 2015)
A special gustatory demonstration will be conducted by head chefs of SM Lanang Premier restaurants and different culinary schools of Davao City, as they showcase new dishes and drinks using pomelo as main ingredient.
Tapas Y Sangria (April 24-26, 2015)
SM Lanang Premier restaurants – Cellar de Boca, Bistro Selera, and Archipelago 7107 – will feature Spanish-inspired tapas dishes and refreshing sangria drinks starting 6PM onwards on April 24-26. To complete the ambiance, there will be Spanish music and dances as pocket entertainment.
***
And if you want to know the story behind Madrid Fusion and why it is so important to the Philippines, click here.
To quote food blogger and food curator JJ Yulo, ” [Madrid Fusion] is essentially a dialogue for chefs, people in the industry, and the curious. It’s about exchanging ideas, and techniques. It’s about discovery and inspiring one another, about showcasing and making the culinary world smaller. (There will also be a trade show featuring the best food stuff we have to offer, from vinegars, to salts, to chocolate, to varieties of rice, to everything in between. THE. BEST.) As you can imagine, as the first time it’s being done, it’s been a long hard climb to put this together. It’s been tough for everyone.. myself included. But at the end of the day, I’d like to ask you a small favor: let’s go out there and support all these efforts. Attend all the activities the malls are planning (Cocinas Viajeras chapter 1 just ended at BHS and Trinoma, and it was great!). Shout out, eat, drink, and join the party! Heck, buy a ticket if you’re up for some food nerdiness. This is our chance, our first step, our first real “HOLA” to the world – they will be watching us with great interest. Give them our best smiles, our warmest embraces, our most generous “Halika, kain na tayo!” How can they resist the charms of all that is great about our being Pinoy? If there was ever a time to band together, let this be one of them. People in the industry – I pray this be the day we stand as one. I know there have been obstacles, but I have faith we will overcome. Let’s do this! Happy week ahead, everyone, and God bless you all!
PS For ALL of you reading this now — another favor: please keep the food industry and the organizers in your prayers. Pray for strength, for patience, for casting doubts and differences aside… and pray for FAITH. Thanks, y’all!”
He couldn’t have said it better. Let’s do this, Philippines!!! Let’s work as ONE.
