LUTO 2023 FOOD FAIR SHOWCASES LU'S CULINARY HERITAGE, DIVERSE FLAVORS
By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza, GPC-LUPTO | Photos By: Mico Salamanca and Cris Balbuena, LUPTO | Date: June 28 – 30, 2023
As a celebration of the culinary heritage in the country, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the La Union Provincial Tourism Office – Culture and the Arts Unit in partnership with the La Union Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association (LUHRRA) and La Union Farm Tourism Association (LUFTA) organized a three-day food festival dubbed as LUTO: La Union Tastes and Organics Food Fair with the theme, “Namaris a Padaya” on June 28 – 30, 2023 at the Mabanag Quadrangle, City of San Fernando, La Union.
This activity aims to promote the vast culinary traditions and treasures of La Union through gastronomic experience in a single venue for retail selling and product promotion of indigenous and locally produced items in the province, thus supporting local farmers and agri-businesses.
On behalf of Gov. Raphaelle Veronica “Rafy” Ortega-David, Board Member Cynthia Angelica M. Bacurnay, led the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the food fair. Board Member Maria Rosario Eufrosina “Chary” P. Nisce and presidents of various tourism organizations in the province also graced the event.
“The launching of LUTO is a significant milestone for our province, dahil maibibida po natin ang iba’t-ibang pagkain na nakalakhan natin dito sa ating hapag…By highlighting our local cuisines, we open the doors to a whole new world of experience in our province; inviting tourists and visitors to savor the unique flavors and traditions that make La Union truly remarkable,” said Gov. Rafy in her message delivered by Provincial Tourism Officer Arthur S. Cortez, Jr., particularizing how the province’s culinary treasures serve as a testament to the skills and creativity of its local chefs as well as farmers to offer a gastronomic experience that puts La Union on the culinary map.
Featuring Ilocano specials, fusion dishes and local delicacies from various Local Government Units of the province, 17 exhibitors participated in the event which include Uvas Café, Ibit’s Farm, JFC Farm, Orangs Special Bibingka Station, Cosmos Bakery, Sagat Crust, Café Esperanza, Chan’s Restaurant and Bakeshop, Riverfarm Seafood Restaurant, Ciano’s Grill and Resto Bar, HIRAYA Sunset Hill Restaurant, Ciano Umok Gallery Café, Your MajiesTea, Emeralde Café, Espresso Doze, Ignacio’s Empanada and Agoo Tourism-Related Establishments Association.
On its second year featuring a trade show for food entrepreneurs through the sponsorship of Petron Gasul – AQN Marketing Inc., the LUTO 2023 Food Fair includes special settings to elevate the food fair experience. Show highlights include the live farm-to-table cooking demonstrations of Guest Chef Christopher Allan R. Esguerra, a Demo Chef and Food Stylist at GMA Network; cooking demo of Aringay’s Buyos by Josephine Padilla and Carl Andrei Moreno, Sudipen’s Tinungbo by Engracia Masi and Juvy Magmayao, Bauang’s Linatikan by Belen Supsup, and Rosario’s Linubian by Gloria Viray. Also, adding to the gastronomic event was the amazing band performances of The Cappuccinos, Salig Acoustic and Purple Hail.
LUTO 2023 Food Fair culminated with the awarding of certificates to the participating exhibitors, demo chefs and winners for the Best Booth Design, Highest Sales, and Kaprobinsiaans’ Choice awards. The winners of each category were able to take home a Php20,000 worth of cash prize and non-winners received a consolation prize of Php10,000. Emeralde Café bagged the title of “Best Booth Design'' while Ciano Umok Gallery Café and Orangs Special Bibingka Station were declared as the “Highest Sales Contributor” and “Kaprobinsiaans’ Choice,” respectively.
As part of the #LaUnionPROBINSYAnihan efforts of PGLU, the LUTO 2023 Food Fair was a testament to the rich culinary heritage and the ingenuity of the local food entrepreneurs of La Union, and the province’s commitment to showcasing it not only to the whole region but to the country as a whole.
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