Ronaldo Z. Concha Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Marriott Hotel Jeddah rolled out the much-awaited Filipino Food Festival last Thursday. The event that will run every Thursday till the end of 2013, started with the slicing of the cake headed by Philippine Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay and the hotel's general manager John Louie. Other guests include some Filipino executives as well as community leaders, other consulate officials and staff. Some of the popular traditional Filipino dishes served during the launch include ginataang tilapia, inihaw na bangus, inihaw na hipon, pancit guisado, crispy pata, beef with onion and tokwat baka and halo-halo, one of the Philippine popular desserts that has a mixture of shaved ice and milk to which are added various boiled sweet beans and fruits, and served cold in a tall glass or bowl. Remy Jarina, the hotel's assistant event manager, said the festival dubbed as “Pinoy Nights” will run until the end of the year. Jarina said it was their general manager who proposed the concept of organizing the Philippine Food Festival to showcase the country's food and hospitality to its guest. He said this will be the second time the hotel will hold this event. Jarina said their team composes of some Filipino chefs working with them for eight years. In an interview with Chef Rey Agasway, the Chef D' Cousine from Batangas, he said he wanted his fellow Filipinos to relish the food they usually eat in their own houses when they visit the Pinoy Night festival. Agasway said that the event is for all food lovers, especially for those who wanted to try tasting the Filipino dishes. “I'm sure they will enjoy everything that will be served for only SR85 per head. Eat all you can,” Agasway said. Garibay said promoting the Philippines, such as by holding a food festival, is one of the consulate's agenda and the event organized by Marriott shows its support to the Filipinos. “I invite my fellow Filipinos and other nationalities to visit the Philippine Food Festival and experienced tasting some of the country's popular dishes prepared by our Filipino chefs,” Garibay added. Jarina said the event every Thursday will start at 7 pm until 11:30 in the evening.
