The UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) was the official school partner of the 16th Philippine Food Expo. The expo, a 3-day celebration of Filipino culinary expertise, was held at the World Trade Center Metro Manila from April 12 to 14, 2024. The event was marked by various culinary competitions, cooking demos, seminars, and a large exhibition of over 300 vendors centered on this year鈥檚 theme of Western Visayas.
As an official school partner, CTHM was tasked to assist in several capacities such as the Culinary Challenge Competition Briefing which was held on March 3, 2024, at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. (BGPOP) Building鈥檚 Multi-function Room (MFR) and the Food Styling & Photography Competition which was held at the BGPOP鈥檚 Lobby and Mezzanine last March 23, 2024. Both events were internally organized by the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) 3HCE1鈥檚 Solasta Productions, led by Mr. Wyett White Lee as the course facilitator and Mr. Rod Fredric S. Villamarin as the Overall Chairperson.
On Day 1 of the expo, 3,074 guests were welcomed to the venue where several prominent figures in the food and agriculture industry delivered their messages. 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鈥檚 expo, challenging students鈥� knowledge on various topics.
Additionally, Mr. Reinald A. Andaya, CHE, a CTHM Academic Staff and the Laboratory Coordinator, held a seminar on the third day titled 鈥淣amit Gid!: Iloilo City’s Journey for the UNESCO Creative City on Gastronomy.鈥�
An awarding ceremony for all events was held on the last day of the expo.
The 16th Philippine Food Expo was organized by the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Inc. (PHILFOODEX) and Cut Unlimited Inc. It is supported by CTHM through the class of 3HCE1’s Solasta Productions as partnered organizers and student marshalls.
