Cover Peak Zone at NUSTAR Resort on June 1 (Photo: Taste Cebu Food and Wine Festival)
Peak Zone at NUSTAR Resort on June 1 (Photo: Taste Cebu Food and Wine Festival)
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Go on a culinary adventure at the 2024 Taste Cebu Food and Wine Festival
Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco led the First Bite and First Experience of the Cebu Food and Wine Festival at NUSTAR Resort last June 1. Themed after ‘Taste Cebu,’ the festival celebrates culinary excellence for the month of June around Mactan and Cebu City. Originally a two-week event, the event was extended to last all month, featuring food tastings, wine pairings, and a unique gastronomical journey encapsulating Cebu’s culinary identity while highlighting community and culture. Each week offers something new for food enthusiasts—ensuring an unforgettable experience.
More from Tatler: Mood for Food PH 2024: A new food festival by Tatler Dining, happening June 28 to 29
Above Wave Zone at NUSTAR Resort on June 1 (Photo: Cebu Food and Wine Festival)
Wave Zone at NUSTAR Resort on June 1 (Photo: Cebu Food and Wine Festival)
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With over 60 pocket events, 40 restaurants, 20 hotels, 27 national chefs, and 10 mixologists, the Taste Cebu Food and Wine Festival takes guests on an exclusive journey that explores the culinary and cultural landscape of Cebu. From action stations, mixology sessions, to wine cruises and fire dancing, it all culminates in a spectacular display of diverse flavours and festivities.
Week 1 | June 1-8
Graciously inaugurated by Secretary Frasco, she highlighted Taste Cebu Food and Wine festival’s role in promoting tourism and supporting local businesses while expressing her excitement for the month-long celebration of good food, chef demonstrations, and unique wine pairings. On June 2, guests were brought to Cowrie Cove for a sunset cruise and wine dinner soiree. From June 6 to 8, the Blu Bar & Grill hosted a three-course set dinner with wine under the stars. Guests also embarked on a journey of South African wines at Barcino. On June 7, The Power of Chefs’ Mind offered a gastronomy experience with a speciality artisan dinner at Anzani New Mediterranean Cuisine. Finishing the week off was a feast at Crimson Resort & Spa, a barrio fiesta night at Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, Cebu’s first steak festival at 88th Avenue Park, and a farmers’ market at Marco Polo Hotel.
Week 2 | June 10-15
The second week features week-long activities where guests can enjoy ube latte and ube puff pastries at Brick Lane Doughnuts, multiple-course tasting menus with wine pairings at Run Sardine Run, or explore modernised Cebuano dishes at Pagtagbo.
On June 12, gourmands can visit the Weekend Chophouse & Bar to savour four-course dry-aged meats with an extensive wine menu. June 13 is all about sake as Nonki Izakaya launches its latest sake selection. If you’re looking for a bigger event, Feria will host a two-day regional cuisine mapping feast on June 13 and 14. Those looking to spend their Friday night out and about can tour the city starting with wines, cocktails, and a semi-buffet at the Marina Seaview Restaurant, followed by a 6-course meal by chef Izzy Sy at 1521 Bistro + Bar. If you want Italian flavours, Ristorante La Piccola Roma offers just that with wine pairings. You can end the night with a bar groove with DJ Marvin Evangelista at Goa Nights.
Capping off the week are multiple culinary delights from Chin Hai Chinese Restaurant, Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort, Maya Mexican Restaurant, and Puso Bistro & Bar.
Also read: 8 fermented Filipino food you should know
Week 3 | June 16-22
Week three starts the Sunday off with a natural wine pairing experience that fuses Korean cuisine with Western dining at Eat&. Benjarong at Dusit Thani Mactan brings you to the heart of Thailand with a buffet of Thai food. Run Sardine Run and Pagtagbo return with another week-long celebration of Cebuano bites. From June 17 to 22, travellers can enjoy a lechon fiesta buffet at Misto or a merienda buffet of Filipino delicacies at Cafe Lorenzo. June 18 is all about pizza as chef Matteo Minante and chef Jan Rodriguez showcase their speciality at Minante Pizzeria.
June 19 takes you to the heart of Cebu City with a contemporary Filipino four-course menu at Cava. The Marble and Grain Steakhouse offers just that if you’d rather wine and dine. Taste everything about Cebu boodle style at the House of Lechon on June 20, and treat yourself to a four-course menu of Southeast Asian flavours on June 21. Ristorante La Piccola Roma and the Marina Seaview Restaurant return on the same day with pasta and another semi-buffet with a set meal. The week ends with a Filipino food and dance night at the Bluewater Maribago Beach Resort and a Live Grill Night at Buhi Bar.
Week 4 | June 23-30
Taste Cebu Food and Wine festival concludes its final week with multiple week-long activities at the Sunday Rose buffet brunch, Run Sardine Run, Misto, and Pagtagbo with a special joint meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific & the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia from June 26 to 29.
The week starts with multiple yacht cruise events where guests can enjoy wine and speciality food from Anzani New Mediterranean Cuisine. June 26 has Socarrat fusing Spanish and Filipino cuisine with a Pintxos night with wine from AWC Wines Philippines. Those in Mactan can catch the grand opening of the Mactan Newtown Beach and enjoy cocktails by the shore on June 27. The festival concludes with a grand feast of flavours at Jpark Island Resort & Waterpark with executive chef Yi-Fan Chu, where multiple culinary masterpieces from Ching Hai, Maru, Nonki Izakaya, The Abalone, and Coral Seaside Restaurant converge in perfect harmony.
For more information and updates, follow the Taste Cebu Food and Wine Festival on social media.
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Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
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A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
