UN staffers, officials get a taste of Filipino street food

Up-and-coming restaurant Tsismis NYC is curated by Chef Jappy Afzelius (fifth from right). INQUIRER/Carol Tanjutco

NEW YORK — For the first time in New York, the United Nations community of officials and staffers was introduced to Filipino street food.

Philippine Street Food Festival was organized by the United Nations Staff Recreation Council – Philippine Cultural Society (UNSRC-PCS), a club of UN staff members, whose mission is to promote and celebrate the Philippine culture within the United Nations community.

“We partnered with the Philippine Department of Tourism New York (PDOTNY) for the event as we had the same idea and vision to implement a “Street Food Festival” in New York, and to use food as the vehicle to promote our country and culture,” explains Monica Santos.

Tourism Director Susan Del Mundo is mulling the possibility of holding a similar food fest on a larger scale. She noted, “This is a pilot test. We intend to promote Philippine tourism through an adventure in Philippine cuisine.”

Gracing the event was Ambassador to the UN Teodoro Locsin, Jr., Consul-General Claro Cristobal and his wife, Marilou Cristobal.

Mighty Bowl Chef Anton Dayrit (left) showcased the delectable Cebuano longganisa, while Lola Mahal Chef Raymund Nera (right) offered traditional kakanin. INQUIRER/Carol Tanjutco

The organizers tapped local New York-based businesses to help bring the event to life: An upcoming restaurant, Tsismis NYC,run byExecutive Chef Jappy Afzelius, provided the food plate sampler that came with the $10 entrance ticket.

Ugly Kitchen by Executive Chef Aris Tuazonshowcased barbecue, balut, ukoy, fishballs, fried and grilled isaw, lumpiang Shanghai, and bibingka.

Independent Chef Developer Anton Dayritoffered Cebu longganisa with garlic fried rice and pork sisig.

UN Ambassador Teddy Boy Locsin (right) enjoys samplers of famous street food prepared by Chef Aris Tuazon. INQUIRER/Carol Tanjutco

Lola Mahal Executive Chef Raymund Nera, whose passion for cooking he learned from his grandmother, offeredturon with ube and langka, banana-cue, maja blanca, biko, and other native rice cakes.

Tanduay USAprovided rum cocktails and a raffle prize of two Luxury Suite tickets to a Nets game. Philippine Airlinesprovided the grand prize for the raffle, one roundtrip ticket for a non-stop flight from New York to Manila, which was won by Rachelle Ocampo.

The afternoon event was made more festive with dance music provided by DJ Cam.One (Arvee Eco) of Bespoke ENT entertainment company. Some 400 UN staff and affiliates, with invited friends and family attended.