Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco proudly announced Angeles City Pampanga’s recent accolade as Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination at the 2024 World Culinary Awards Gala Ceremony. The prestigious award, presented on October 3, solidifies Angeles City’s growing reputation as a rising star in the global food tourism scene.
“This honor highlights the remarkable talent, creativity, and commitment of Angeles City’s chefs and food artisans. Their dedication to preserving and promoting the city’s rich culinary heritage—led by iconic dishes like sisig—continues to attract food enthusiasts from around the world, putting Filipino cuisine in the global spotlight,” Secretary Frasco shared.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Central Luzon Regional Director Richard Daenos accepted the award on behalf of Secretary Frasco in Dubai, UAE. This marks the city’s first recognition in this prestigious category.
Secretary Frasco extended her congratulations to the local government of Angeles City, alongside local stakeholders and the food community, for their efforts in preserving and promoting the city’s culinary heritage. “This award is a testament to the collective hard work and passion of the people of Angeles City and Pampanga in celebrating their unique culinary legacy,” she remarked.
Frasco also praised the city’s efforts to safeguard its culinary traditions, including the ordinance that recognizes Sisig Babi as an Intangible Heritage of Angeles City. Known for its signature dishes such as sisig, tokwa’t baboy, street food, and bibingka, Angeles City offers a vibrant culinary scene with a mix of both local and international cuisine, making it a prime destination for food lovers.
During the awards ceremony, Regional Director Daenos networked with leading culinary figures eager to learn more about the Philippines’ diverse food culture. Angeles City triumphed over renowned culinary destinations such as Hanoi (Vietnam), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Taipei (Taiwan), and Kyoto (Japan).
The recognition also highlights the success of various DOT food tourism initiatives, including the DOT Region 3’s “Food Talks,” the International Conference on Kapampangan Cuisine & Food Tourism, the HARP Cook-Off Challenge, and the Culinary Familiarization Tours. Projects like the Pampanga Food Mapping and the GastroVentures Tour have further boosted the region’s culinary prominence.
“The Department of Tourism remains committed to promoting our culinary tourism through initiatives that celebrate food heritage, foster cultural exchange, and encourage innovation. Angeles City’s win underscores the power of food as a tourism driver, and we look forward to continuing our efforts in showcasing the rich food culture of the Philippines,” Frasco added.
In addition to these regional programs, the DOT has been active on the national stage, leading culinary tourism efforts such as the UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Cebu and the Philippine Eatsperience event in Manila earlier this year, further enhancing the country’s global culinary standing.
The World Culinary Awards, a sister event to the World Travel Awards, recognizes excellence in the culinary industry, honoring top culinary brands through a year-long selection process.
