By Xiao Wu, video by Xingchen Yue, iChongqing news.

Chongqing - “Chongqing people love hot pot. They also do like to try new things, so I think the Philippine Food Festival offers a great opportunity for them to try.” said Ms. Sharon Fraser, the General Manager of Chongqing Jiefangbei Crown Plaza.

The Philippine Food Festival kicked off in Chongqing Jiefangbei Crown Plaza on June 6. The festival is co-hosted by Consulate General of the Republic of Philippines in Chongqing and Crown Plaza Chongqing Jiefangbei. It will last from June 6 to 12. The chief chef, Ms. Michelle Adrillana, from the Philippines was on the spot to cook authentic Philippines cuisine and shared the wonderful Philippine food culture with the visitors.

On offer was Halo Halo, Oxtail Kare Kare, Adobo Paella, Octopus Pansit in squid ink, Bicol express, and Lamb Kaldereta. Visitors could enjoy a wide variety of delicious Philippine food during the food festival. With over ten years of practice in cooking, the Philippine chef, Ms. Michelle Adrillana, is a member of the LTB Chefs Association under the World Association of Master Chefs Pty Ltd. This time, she joined the festival and shared the local culinary culture with visitors while cooking.

She has been to the Yas Island Crown Plaza in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and the Intercontinental Hotel in Doha, Qatar, to promote Philippine cuisine. “Promoting Philippine cuisine around the world is an amazing experience,” Michelle said. She also put a dash of chili pepper in the dish she cooked on the spot to meet Chongqing locals’ spicy taste.

Ms. Michelle Adrillana, the chief chef of the Philippine Food Festival in Chongqing.

According to Consul General of the Philippines to Chongqing, Mr. Crescente R. Relacion, it is the first time that the Philippine Food Festival was introduced to Chongqing. Mr. Relacion said that he was confident that Chongqing people would like the Philippine cuisine.

"The Philippines have Asian food combined with incredible Spanish influence. It is a beautiful tropical country and has wonderful tropical food, said Ms. Sharon. It is a different food for Chongqing people to try."