MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is confirmed to host the second year of Madrid Fusion Manila (MFM) scheduled to take place on April 7-9, 2016. The Memorandum of Understanding for the event was signed by Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. and Spain’s Secretary of State for Trade Jaime Garcia-Legaz for the ICEX España Exportacion e Inversiones, the public export promotion agency under the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain.
“No event deserves repeated celebrations than Madrid Fusion Manila. Not only because it was expertly executed, not only because it was well attended, not only because it was roundly applauded, but more because it was a journey of rediscovery, a renewal of friendship, and of kinship,” Jimenez said.
Madrid Fusion, Spain’s famed culinary event, has been celebrated annually in Madrid since 2003. Similar to Madrid Fusion Manila 2015 – the first and only Asian edition – the second run in 2016 will bring together the world’s top-rated chefs and most acclaimed avant-garde chefs from across the globe.
Jimenez reiterated the Philippines’ hosting of Madrid Fusion Manila in 2016 as a great honor, describing the first edition in 2015 a “truly delicious success to experience over and over, as it proved to be an emotional reunion between close friends who have not shared a meal in a very long time. MFM 2015’s opening day was a realization that it was not just your ordinary food festival, but a gastronomical milestone for the Philippines,” the tourism chief vividly recalled.
In his response, Legaz said: “There is no better way to celebrate our common cultural history but through enjoying and appreciating good food and wine,” relating to Madrid Fusion’s culinary tradition.
The initial batch of chef presenters for 2016 includes Joan Roca of El Cellar de Can Roca Restaurant in Catalonia, Spain (3 Michelin stars, No.1 and one of the world’s 50 best restaurants), Yoshihiro Narisawa of Les Creations de Narisawa Restaurant in Tokyo, Japan (2 Michelin stars, No.2 and Asia’s 50 best restaurants), Dani Garcia of Bibo Andalussian Brasserie and Tapas in Malaga, Spain (2 Michelin stars) and Virgilio Martinez of Central Restaurante in Lima, Peru (1 Michelin star, No.1 with distinction as one of the world’s and Latin America’s 50 best restaurants).