Taiwanese culinary event in Manila highlights agricultural cooperation

The Overseas Community Affairs Council’s (OCAC) 2026 International Tour of Taiwan Gourmet Cuisine took place from September 17 to 19 at the SMX Convention Center Manila during the Taiwan Expo in the Philippines.

Organized by the Taiwanese Association of the Philippines, the three-day event featured live cooking demonstrations and tastings by Taiwanese chef Kuo-chih Wen and assistant chef Jui-chang Chen. The program aimed to connect Filipino audiences with Taiwanese food and culture, attracting more than 350 participants for the main activities.

A central component of the event was a farm-to-table presentation highlighting agricultural cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines. In partnership with the Taiwan Technical Mission in the Philippines, the demonstration utilized locally grown vegetables—such as okra, cucumber, bitter melon, tomato, cabbage, and spring onions—to prepare Taiwanese dishes like salted chicken and garden salad. This showcased how Philippine-grown produce, supported by Taiwanese agricultural technology, can be integrated into Taiwanese cuisine.