Megaworld Hotels & Resorts Honors Its Filipino Heritage at 4th Annual Culinary Conference

On August 11-14, 2025, Megaworld Inns & Resorts (MHR), the Philippines’ largest lodge operator, efficiently hosted its 4th Culinary Convention at Twin Lakes Lodge. Themed “Have a good time Your Roots” and that includes the tagline “Rooted in Custom, Impressed by Innovation,” the occasion united 59 cooks, F&B managers, hygienists, leaders, and common managers from MHR’s 14 nationwide properties.

Megaworld Inns & Resorts held its 4th Culinary Convention at Twin Lakes Lodge on August 11-14, 2025.

“We take pleasure in our roster of Filipino government cooks who’re making their mark within the culinary world. It’s our mission and problem to champion these abilities, creating dishes that rival these of overseas cooks. That is our nation, and nobody is aware of it higher than we do. Let’s craft plates that we will be pleased with, with tales that resonate past the serving. That is our heritage and our roots, binding us collectively and driving us to nurture and retain abilities who proudly elevate the Filipino flag by their culinary artistry,” mentioned Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Inns & Resorts.

The three-day occasion goals to raise the culinary and meals & beverage service requirements of the group by celebrating the distinctive conventional elements and strategies of the areas.

On the primary day, delegates loved a lavish welcome dinner, “Hain de Taal,” which featured a themed-course expertise showcasing the heritage flavors of Batangas.

MHR’s 4th Culinary Conference gathered all the executive chefs, F&B managers, and hygiene managers of the group’s 14 properties. — MHR’s 4th Culinary Convention gathered all the chief cooks, F&B managers, and hygiene managers of the group’s 14 properties.

On the day of the convention, famend culinary figures and advocates for Filipino delicacies gathered to bolster its mission of inspiring a return to heritage cooking and elevating appreciation for Filipino culinary historical past and native elements. Acclaimed chef and writer Myrna Segismundo, who has championed Filipino delicacies on international phases corresponding to Madrid Fusión and Le Cordon Bleu Paris, spoke passionately concerning the significance of preserving and transmitting conventional foodways. Chef JR Royol, host of GMA TV’s Farm to Desk and Anihan Sustainable Gastronomy, highlighted the importance of regional pleasure in culinary practices. In the meantime, Chef Kenneth Cacho of Unilever Meals Options explored how heritage influences up to date client preferences. Lastly, John Sherwin Felix, meals documentarist and founding father of Lokalpedia, emphasised the pressing must safeguard meals biodiversity and shield edible heritage for future generations.

MHR invited renowned chefs and Filipino cuisine experts to inspire the culinary leaders. — MHR invited famend cooks and Filipino delicacies specialists to encourage the culinary leaders.

Constructing on a powerful basis, a number of audio system illustrated how conventional data can encourage progressive, globally minded culinary expressions. Chef Nouel Catis, identified for creating the viral Dubai Candies and acknowledged as a heritage pâtissier, mentioned reimagining native meals narratives to attraction to worldwide audiences. Chef Edward Bugia from Mimi & Bros, a part of the Pino Group of Eating places and Bean & Yolk, shared his technique of menu engineering that honors Filipino flavors whereas interesting to fashionable diners. In the meantime, award-winning beverage artist Chef Kalel Demetrio, co-founder of Agimat at Ugat Foraging Bar, showcased the fusion of native elements and mixology to create a uniquely Filipino but globally fascinating expertise. Collectively, these voices enlightened the cooks from Megaworld Inns & Resorts on the highly effective synergy between honoring culinary roots and adapting them for up to date native eating on a worldwide stage.

One of many highlights of the convention was The Cook dinner Off: Flavors of Childhood Market Basket Problem, the place MHR’s government cooks reimagined their common managers’ childhood consolation dishes. Belmont Lodge Mactan received awards for Finest Storytelling and Finest Presentation, whereas Twin Lakes Lodge obtained the Folks’s Selection Award.

Quickly, these pleasant dishes will probably be obtainable in our eating places.

Based on Chef Franco Martin “Panky” Lopez, MHR’s Company Chef, every of us is blessed with distinctive experiences. As Filipinos, our recollections are intertwined with dishes that resonate with our souls. In our resorts, we serve meals not merely to fill or nourish the physique however to attach hearts by a concord of bitter, candy, and savory moments that replicate life’s journey. Simply as each taste has its goal, each trial and triumph reminds us of God’s grace and the energy of our heritage. Via meals, we have a good time our identification, what drives us, and the religion that binds us collectively.

The festivities concluded with a fireplace dinner impressed by Antonio Pigafetta’s chronicles of early Philippine culinary practices. Visitors savored a feast of meat, seafood, and greens, all cooked over open flames, celebrating the cherished traditions of Filipino communal eating.

Albiso introduced that the fifth Culinary Convention will probably be held subsequent yr at Boracay Newcoast. The occasion will probably be hosted by Belmont Lodge Boracay, Savoy Lodge Boracay, and the soon-to-open Chancellor Lodge Boracay.