FIRST TANDUAY RUM FEST. (From left) Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental president Roberto Magalona, Philippine Airlines Bacolod manager Rene Aviles, former Bacolod City councilor Em Ang, Tanduay Bacolod head and sales manager James Lim, and marketing officer Jay-R Infante during the press conference on the first-ever Tanduay Rum Festival, at Cafe Azucarera in Bacolod City on Sunday (July 21, 2019). (Photo by Erwin P. Nicavera)
BACOLOD CITY -- The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Negros Occidental (HRANO) has partnered with Tanduay Distillers Inc. to highlight the culinary sector during the first-ever rum festival here next month.
HRANO president Roberto Magalona said in a press conference on Sunday they will host this year’s Sabor Bisaya as one of the major segments of the rum festival.
The 2019 Sabor Bisaya will be held at SMX Convention Center Bacolod on August 22-24, within the period of the rum festival on August 17-24.
Magalona said rum and sugar are always part of each other, and when talking about sugar, it would then be about Negros, the country’s sugar capital.
“We are happy to partner with Tanduay. Their products are only associated with drinking bars before, but now also with kitchens. We hope to develop rum-infused products especially with culinary students,” he added.
Sabor Bisaya, a food exposition and culinary competition held every two years, is part of HRANO’s measures to address pressing challenges in the culinary industry.
The event, held in collaboration with the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines (COHREP)-Western Visayas, is one of the highly-anticipated culinary events in the region.
Magalona said they want to reach out to the industry stakeholders in Panay and Negros Oriental since Sabor Bisaya aims to strengthen the regional culinary scene.
“It is one way of attracting visitors to come here and try our cuisine. It actually strengthens local cooperation and unity and brings more people to our region, particularly in Bacolod City,” he added.
Teams from Negros and Panay will showcase their culinary skills in the Chefs’ War Regional Competition of the National Food Showdown.
A cocktail mixing competition sponsored by Tanduay will also be held during the three-day event.
For Tanduay, the rum festival not only gives a toast to the humble sugarcane but also celebrates the best of Negrense culinary arts.
Tanduay chief marketing officer Paul Lim, in a statement, said the festival celebrates the ingenuity of the Filipinos, including their skills on creating fantastic dishes.
Lim said Negros Occidental is home to some of the most amazing dishes.
“Through our support to Sabor Bisaya, we are raising a glass to all the culinary students and professionals who continue to make delicious creations -- from old-time favorites to new dishes,” he added. (PNA)
