What better way to greet 2012 in anticipation for better business, job openings and opportunities than the best way to mankind’s (in fact all creatures’) heart, through the tummy: FOOD! As 35 countries converge at the Moscone Center during the Fancy Food Show last January 15 through 17, that weekend definitely got all attendees’, as well as exhibitor’s attention on all efforts, diligently exerting extreme labor to perk up ‘accounts receivables’.
Noticeably though, the Specialty Food magazine somehow proved instrumental to curiosity, as it flashed on its cover ‘Foods of the Philippines’, with a Sariwa’ng (fresh) Lumpia, one among the more popular dishes of the land. Also featured was “the” most popular: the Adobo. The slide show will show you how some filipino foods look like.
Two booths at the FFS carried ‘Pinoy’ (jargon for Filipino) food features, booth 501 of Ramar foods international and booth 2916 of Profood International Corp. Both opened windows of opportunity to the unique and exotic taste of the cuisine. Exhibitors noticed a continuous flow of attendees coming to their booths to inquire and finally get a sample of both savory and sweet features.
On a different note, as Oakland Career Transition Examiner, I try to practice what I preach in considering a hobby to earn income from. I took my 18 year old daughter Michah, to the show to start cultivating her choices for a college degree. With reluctance however, I fear the dark tunnel that she may encounter, similar to the current workforce’s dilemma of toggling from one job opening to another, competing with unemployed professionals. Therefore, as she loves to bake and cook, and as she assists in my new-found means of income focused on food as well, she may discover an avenue in the food industry that may prove a better route. We all agree that (similar to medicine) food is a commerce that can continue to keep our sources of income going. You too may ponder on this thought because at the (Fancy Food) show, opportunities in sales, direct buy and sell at a good mark up, distribute, retail or pitch for commission is up for grabs. Anyway, our presence at the show was in view of paving the way in preparing a young mind to start strategizing upon entering the job market soon. She felt so excited discovering hundreds (and hundreds) of spices, multiple variances of cheeses and chocolates, candies, breads, sardines, cured meats and in a capsule, FOOD - from all over the world! More importantly, she too felt good as I did, seeing the booths of the Philippines and further elated to witness the rising interest of people on Filipino cuisine - because we, ourselves showcase the Filipino cuisine through our Café, downtown San Francisco, called A’s goodies’ PAK KAIN (vacuum sealed Filipino) packaged meals. Again, the slide show will allow you to visualize the variances of ‘Pinoy’ food.
Moving on to more Filipino food discoveries, I’d love to be instrumental in further introducing more Filipino food, literally in a “nut shell”, called PILI nuts. I myself have never tried cooking with it before so I ventured into the “Kulinarya Showdown” (culinary) Pili nut cook off invitation to create awareness about the nutty focal ingredient.
Held last Saturday, January 21, hosted by Franco Finn, the Kulinarya Showdown culminated the event to finalize the Filipino ‘Top Chefs’ for both the professional and the amateur divisions. Congratulations are in order for winners, Albert Rivera for the Professional Division and Arlene Nunez, Amateur Division. Acclaimed popular Judges, Chefs, foodies and the Filipino food “love to eat them” spectators gather to witness the showdown.
The Pili nut cook off was hosted by Trade commissioner, Mike Ignacio and Michelle Valeriano of Adobo nation. Congratulations likewise to the Pili nut ‘cook off’ winner, Joy Sanches, who I competed with, but her “PILI Toffee” dessert bettered my “Ka PILI’ng Ko” savory recipe. While I am very jealous, if you tried her entry, you would agree that it definitely deserved bagging the title.
If you have not tried any of the delectable Filipino dishes gaining more and more popularity, maybe this is your cue to join the bandwagon so as not to extend your lingering enigma, and finally satisfy your taste palette and stomach. I guarantee that a mere site of Filipino dishes will make all your senses muster, convincing you to go ahead!!! …get a bite!
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