DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS 
P R E S S  R E L E A S E
www.dfa.gov.ph                                                                             2330 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Philippines                                                                        Tel. No. 834-4000 
SFA-AGR-765-07                                                                                                                                                       5 Oct 2007

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN UK PRESENTS “MEMORIES OF PHILIPPINE KITCHENS”  

05 October 2007 – The Philippine Embassy in London reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the award-winning Filipino recipe book “Memories of Philippine Kitchens”, the most comprehensive guide to the history of Filipino cuisine and cooking ever compiled, was presented through the auspices of the Embassy, together with Mesdames Jamie Tapales, Mia Cameron and Sarri Tapales-Coleman, members of the Filipino community in Great Britain.  

“Memories of Philippine Kitchens” won the Jane Grigson Award given by the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) for Distinguished Scholarship in the Quality of its Research and Presentation, in New York early this year. Jane Grigson was one of the most respected cookery writers in the UK . The book was also a finalist in the Julia Childs First Book Award sponsored by the IACP.  

The event introduced Filipino cuisine and cooking methods both to British and other European nationals as well as to the young generation of Filipinos who have scant knowledge of Filipino food. It was an eye-opener for the guests to take a new look at Filipino cuisine, traditionally seen by many as home cooking. It also showed that Filipino food is heavily influenced by a cornucopia of foreign cooking methods that can be served at various occasions, and cater to suit different tastes.  

The book presentation was attended by over one hundred (100) European and Filipino nationals composed of people from the world of the arts, academe, business, food circles, restaurant owners, ASEAN Missions in London , and the younger set who have manifested interest in Philippine culture.  

People who graced the event saw the book as a cultural anthology of the Philippines , and not just an ordinary recipe book. “This is a scrumptious way of learning and experiencing Philippine culture and history”, a guest commented.  

Philippine Ambassador Edgardo Espiritu lauded the book as a fascinating and very personal look at the history of Filipino cuisine and culture as captured in over 100 family recipes throughout the Philippines .  

Following the presentation, Filipino delicacies served at the reception were made from the recipes in the book and prepared by Messrs, Felix Bayker, Edpoe Villanueva, Rommel Canuto and Caro de los Santos , four of London-based Filipino chefs.  

The event is part of the Embassy’s continuing efforts to introduce Philippine culture and heritage to the British public, which is hoped to help raise the profile of the Philippines in the United Kingdom . Earlier, the Philippine Embassy organized a lecture by Professor Rosario Lucero of the University of the Philippines on the evolution of Philippine literature. The event was participated in by close to 100 members of the Filipino community. Thereafter, various Filipino delicacies were prepared and served by top-caliber Filipino chefs themselves. END.

/Gary

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