• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Bacolod City and Negros Occidental will host the first-ever Terra Madre Asia & Pacific (TMAP) 2025, dubbed as the “biggest sustainable gastronomy event yet”, on Nov. 19-23, at the Provincial Capitol Lagoon, with about 2,000 delegates and slow food communities from 24 countries in attendance.
These include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Palau, Samoa, South Korea, Slovakia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, USA, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.
This will be a five-day journey into the diversity of Asia-Pacific food cultures, through immersive exhibits, public talks and conferences, and taste workshops, among other events, per the TMAP brief.
The North and South Capitol roads, that have been closed to vehicular traffic since Nov. 10, will be the TMAP venue, and will feature, among others, a market area for organic farmers and producers offering a wide selection of fresh, certified organic produce; and the Terra Madre Kitchen, where members of the Slow Food Cooks’ Alliance and guest chefs will prepare meals for the taste workshops, community gatherings, and curated dining experiences.
Demos on culinary techniques and traditions of Asia and the Pacific are also in the offing, while the slow drinks area will host talks, masterclasses, and guided tastings, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
There will also be a community cookoff, with the barangays of Bacolod set to compete and share their signature community dishes to the rest of Asia Pacific and the world.
Ramon “Chin Chin” Uy Jr., Slow Food councilor for Southeast Asia, said at the press launching in Bacolod Nov. 14, that this global gathering of organic farmers, indigenous communities, fishermen, chefs, and slow food advocates “is a living testament of what we can achieve together.”
Initiated by the Slow Food movement, TMAP 2025 focuses on promoting sustainable and traditional food production, and will bring together farmers, chefs, academics, and consumers to support biodiversity, food sovereignty, and a more sustainable food system.
“We want people that will come here to learn about our life, our culture, eat with the farmers, and do the work that the farmer does,” Reena Gamboa, TMAP 2025 executive director said at the press launching.
She said that entrance to the venue, as well as the talks and conferences, are for free, and she urged everyone to be part of this landmark gathering to support farmers and fishers, indigenous communities, chefs and food artisans.
For the schedule of events, go to www.terramadreasiapacific.com or follow the social media pages of TMAP 2025 and Slow Food Negros. | CGC
