The Philippines, through the efforts and collaboration between the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the LTB Philippines Chefs Association, won the bid to host the Worldchefs Asian Presidents Forum in 2023.
World Association of Chefs Society (WORLDCHEFS) Continental Director for Asia Chef Willment Leong made the official announcement on 06 August 2022, during the Philippine Culinary Cup awarding ceremony at SMX Convention Center.
“Over the years, the national government, in partnership with private entities, invested heavily on improving Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE)-related infrastructure across the country. And with this, we are more than ready to host the Worldchefs Asian Presidents Forum next year. This will also be a great opportunity to position the Philippines as the culinary center of excellence in Asia,” said TPB COO Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones.
The Worldchefs Asian Presidents Forum is a three-day event that aims to foster camaraderie between chefs in the Asia Pacific region with programs such as presentation of the latest gastronomical trends, knowledge-sharing on sustainability practices and culinary education sessions.
The forum will bring together 30 delegates from different Asia Pacific chefs associations with around 3000 expected attendees including professional chefs participating in the programs, competitions and exhibits. Attendees will also have a chance to see the local markets in the Philippines and get a taste of the unique dimensions and diversity of the country’s cuisine and culture.
The Philippine MICE sector is poised to resume its dynamic business activities and rebuild its pre-pandemic vigor now that borders have reopened across the globe. As countries regain confidence in business travels, the country has bolstered its MICE readiness efforts, coupled with government programs to ensure seamless and authentic travel experience to event organizers and business travelers.
The TPB’s participation in the bid is part of the agency’s Partnerships as Pathways strategic thrust which aims to strengthen partnership with key industry players and with high hopes that this opportunity will open up more avenues for the Philippines to host bigger international meetings and exhibitions in the future.