The UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management was co-host of the 16th Philippine Food Expo, a 3-day celebration of Filipino culinary expertise. The event was held at the World Trade Center Metro Manila last April 12-14, 2024. The event’s theme for this year was Western Visayas. The event was marked by various culinary competitions, cooking demos, seminars, and a large exhibition of over 300 vendors.
As co-host, CTHM handled the Culinary Challenge Competition Briefing, held on March 3, 2024, at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. (BGPOP) Building’s Multi-function Room (MFR), while the Food Styling & Photography Competition was also held at the BGPOP Lobby and Mezzanine on March 23, 2024. Both events were internally organized by the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) 3HCE1’s Solasta Productions, led by Mr. Wyett White Lee as the course facilitator and Mr. Rod Fredric S. Villamarin as the Overall Chairperson, as part of their partial fulfillment of the requirements for THM52027: Introduction to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events Management.
The highly anticipated event commenced with a remarkable turnout, welcoming 3,074 guests on its opening, where The University of Santo Tomas Chorus of Arts and Letters set the tone for the event with a moving invocation followed by a stirring rendition of the national anthem.
The expo’s opening statements were delivered by a roster of prominent figures who have played pivotal roles in the agriculture and food industry. Among them were Mr. Roberto Angelo O. Amores II, Director of PhilFoodEx; Hon. Cynthia A. Villar, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food; Hon. Francisco Tiu P. Laurel Jr., Secretary of the Department of Agriculture; Mr. William Tiu Lim, also a Director of PhilFoodEx; and Mr. Sergio Ortiz Luiz, President of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. Their insights set a forward-thinking agenda for the expo, emphasizing the importance of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in the food sector.
The three days featured culinary competitions such as the Philippine Regional Table Setting Competition, Kitchen Masters, PINASarap Breakfast, Modern Filipino Dessert, Healthy Pasta, Mystery Ingredient, and the UST Dream Team competition, featuring 2nd to 3rd year Culinary Entrepreneurship and Hospitality Leadership students from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management. The PFE Knowledge Challenge also debuted during this year’s expo, challenging students’ knowledge on various topics.
Additionally, Dr. Reinald A. Andaya, CHE, a UST CTHM Academic Staff and the Laboratory Coordinator, held a seminar on the third day called “Namit Gid!: Iloilo City’s Journey for the UNESCO Creative City on Gastronomy.”
The culinary competitions were hosted by Mr. Louis San Sebastian and Ms. Clarisse Ricablanca, 3rd-year Culinary Entrepreneurship students from UST CTHM. On the other hand, the PFE Knowledge Challenge was hosted by Mr. Louis Anjello Cheng and Ms. Anna Mae Paño, also from the same college.
The final day’s highlight was the awarding ceremony, a moment of recognition and appreciation for all participants who represented their schools with pride and passion.
The 16th Philippine Food Expo was organized by the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Inc. (PHILFOODEX) and Cut Unlimited Inc. It is supported by 3HCE1’s Solasta Productions of the UST CTHM as partnered organizers and student marshalls.
