Introducing the Davao Food and Wine Festival: a week-long foodie affair, kicking off this October 6

Kicking off the program is chef Tippi Tambunting with her Italian-themed affair, Uncorking Italy: Sip, Savor and Salut at Mindanao Butchers and Co. Chef Tambunting is best known for her work at M Dining, a fine dining restaurant highly regarded as one of the country’s best, where she currently leads the establishment as its operations manager. Her dishes across the 5-course menu will be expertly paired with wines from Ricasoli Wines, curated by sommelier Cecile Maurico.

In case you missed it: The Tatler Dining Awards 2023: Best New Restaurant, Chef of the Year, Restaurant of the Year & more

The Grand Tasting Opening is sure to live up to its name with an exciting lineup of chefs boasting global experiences. For this “buffet crossover”, Davao Food and Wine Festival welcomes chef David Thien, formerly the executive of Corner House known for his French-Asian cuisine, and chef Lisa Revilla, who opened Wolfgang Puck’s Spago as its sous chef before helming The Dempsey Cookhouse and Bar as its executive chef.

M Dining operations manager chef Tippi Tambunting also joins the bill, alongside Tatler Dining’s Rising Star Chef 2023 chef Jorge Mendez of Tadeo, OK Bob, Ohayo, and Best New Restaurant Mōdan, his highly-acclaimed modern Japanese establishment. Chef Marco Azani, the Italian native who now calls Cebu his home, takes his new Mediterranean cuisine further south, offering festival-goers a taste of his eponymous restaurant, Anzani. Expect hearty grill fare as the team behind La Cabrera, the famed Argentinian steakhouse by chef Gaston Riveira brought to the Philippines by Carlo Lorenzana and Bobby Tenchavez, joins the roster. 

It wouldn’t be a Davao Food and Wine Festival without shining a light on the region’s local talents. Olive Puentespina, founder of the Malagos Farmhouse, enriches the gustatory experience with the artisanal cheeses, while chef Joel Rodriguez of the long-loved Osvaldo’s cakes will ensure desserts are up to scratch. Finally, Piya Suthasiri, executive chef of Dusit Hotels and Resorts in Davao, will not only host the roster of chefs at dusitD2 Davao but lend his own culinary expertise for the occasion, too. Complete with beverages from Lagarde Wines, Davao Wines, Luisita Rum, and Mindanao Butchers & Co, it’s set to be a grand experience indeed.

See also: Flavours of My Youth: Jorge Mendez on his love for KFC, faux polvoron, and the mothers who moulded his culinary success

Sundays are for boozy brunches, and the Davao Food and Wine Festival takes it to new heights with chef Jayme Natividad of Taal Vista Hotel, consultant and caterer chef Garet, chef Pauline Benedicto of Rekado Filipino Comfort Cuisine, and chef Andrea Maranan of Dulce Desserts. Dig into this indulgent brunch buffet, alongside cheeky libations from Cimem, Davao Wines and Luisita Rum plus live music entertainment.

Read more: Brunch bests: 15 must-try restaurants in and around Metro Manila

Comfort food meets contemporary technique in this 10-course modern Filipino dining experience by chef Annie Cacho-Garcia at her restaurant, Artisana. Indulge in the Filipino flavours you know and love through a new lens, with a selection of beverages from Davao Wines.

In case you missed it: Filipino cuisine: do we really need international recognition to push the industry forward?

Are you interested in learning how to make fresh pasta? Or wish to learn how to pair the right pasta shapes with the right sauces? Ally Lim-Gonzalez co-founder of Noodle Lab heads to the Davao Food and Wine Festival to present her pasta masterclass, utilising cheeses from Noble Goat. Enjoy an educational and tasty afternoon with white, red, and rosé wines from Davao Wines.

Related: How to pair pasta shapes with the right sauce

Develop a greater appreciation for wine through food at Corks & Forks: A Wine and Dine Adventure, with food by chefs Allen Cua (Omerta Bistro and Lounge) and Bea Cua (Entrée Restaurant) and wine pairings by sommelier Fazil MD highlighting Chile’s Marques de Casa Concha. Debunk common misconceptions about wine and how to pair them as you feast on a dinner that showcases homegrown ingredients from Davao.

See also: What actually goes on at a wine masterclass

Indulge in the divine pairing of chocolate and coffee. Apart from the thrilling Aeropress Brew-Off competition, a first for Davao, the Coffee and Cacao Experience highlights a chocolate-making demonstration by Christian Valdes of CMV Txokolat and an informational talk by Mark Ocampo of Auro Chocolate.

Read more: How social enterprise Auro Chocolate is empowering farmers in the Philippines

Chef Jericho dela Cruz of Misa Dining & Listening Room puts on a modern Japanese omakase, playfully called Misake for the Davao Food and Wine Festival! Highlighting seasonal ingredients, the six-course omakase will be paired with different types of sake and other Japanese beverages (Nihonshu), thoughtfully selected by sake sommelier Eric Wang, founder of Cellar Solutions and Shichiken Sake.

In case you missed it: A sucker for sake: 5 surprising sake pairings from sommelier Tadeo Chua

Excite the senses in an evening of food, wine, music, and art. For Gamâ (a Bisaya term meaning “to create”, Made Simple Restaurant is transformed into an art gallery, showcasing the works of six up-and-coming artists from Davao as curated by We Out Here PH. To further enliven the occasion, chefs Mimi Vergara-Tupas and Uno Tupas will present a plant-forward menu of pintxos and pass-around dishes including exclusive bites created especially for the event, with bio-dynamic and natural wines from Good Morning Wines and Super Natural Wine. Proceeds from Gamâ will go towards the Hectares of Hope foundation, in support of local farmers.

Related: Plant-based food by a non-vegetarian chef: how Mimi Vergara-Tupas is supercharging Davao’s vegan scene

Oto, the Poblacion cocktail bar oft considered as one of the country’s best, heads south to Davao for an “Otober” takeover at Bar Botanica! The team will also be joined by Bar Flora, a stylish, contemporary G&T (that is, gin and tea) bar in Quezon City that opened earlier this May and has continued to impress ever since.

See also: What makes a standout bar? The Curator and The Back Room share industry insights

Some say that the best way to get acquainted with a region’s cuisine is through their street food. If that is the case, then the Davao Street Food Collective at SM Lanang is your best bet to tasting all there is to know about Davao’s rich food culture. With a range of purveyors to choose from, you’d best go early to make the most of the affair. In a casual, easygoing setting, it’s sure to be fun for the whole family.

Read more: Are these the 10 best Asian street foods?

Discovery Samal joins the fun with an eight-hands sunset supper to end the Davao Food and Wine Festival with a bang. Chefs Robby Goco (Cyma, Souv, Rob’s), Jeramie Go (Pilgrim), and JJ and Rhea Sycip (The Fatted Calf) have worked together to produce a memorable, elevated dining experience at the beachside resort.

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