Filipino takeout drive launched for chefs, eateries during pandemic

SAN FRANCISCO — Everyday life and business around the world have changed with the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the numerous, significantly impacted sectors are American Filipino restaurants and chefs, whose collective work has strongly influenced the American food scene. As social distancing and quarantines continue, food entrepreneurs have been adapting from in-house dining to take out and delivery services.

This change is the impetus for two campaigns led by the Filipino Food Movement that will launch this week — Support Filipino Takeout and Kulinarya LIVE!

Support Filipino Takeout is a call to action for all Filipino restaurants and food purveyors to submit their menus to the Filipino Food Movement which will be made available via the nonprofit’s social media platforms.

The national directory aims to make Filipino food accessible to a nation that continues to stay at home. Chefs, food entrepreneurs, and restaurateurs can submit their info here: https://bit.ly/2wqrwkA

On social media, the Filipino food scene has shown a significant uptick in activity and interest with daily menus, food photography, cooking demonstrations, and a constant search for easy recipes to make at home.

On April 9, at 12 p.m. Pacific, Filipino Food Movement will premiere a live-streamed series, Kulinarya Live! The series will bring Filipino chefs from around the world into mobile phones and screens, streaming over Facebook (@filipinofoodmovement.) Its first live stream features a multi-awarded San Francisco chef, Francis Ang of Pinoy Heritage.

“The idea was to utilize our social media reach to promote Filipino food business. Each chef or restauranteur is encouraged to compete in the digital space. We want to amplify their voices,” shared Sonia Delen, President of the Filipino Food Movement. “We hope that both projects continue to push the presence of Filipino cuisine in the global food scene and bring comfort and enjoyment to Filipinos all over the world.”

Filipino Food Movement is a community-based organization formed in 2014 to generate broad awareness, appreciation, and enhanced investment in Filipino culinary arts. Its mission is to support Filipino cuisine and its purveyors to create a recognizable footprint in the mainstream food scene.