Marco Polo Plaza Cebu's culinary team goes to Switzerland!

CEBU, Philippines - The first ever Philippine Food Festival promotion in Switzerland launches in Swissôtel Zurich from June 2 to 12, 2010. The event, dubbed as “Philippinische Wochen”, highlights the Flavors of the Philippines with more than 20 food specialties to be featured in the hotel’s buffet restaurant.  

The Marco Polo Plaza Cebu is honored to be invited to participate in this culinary journey to Switzerland. Like its legendary namesake, the hotel has always been an avid culinary explorer and has played host to a number of creative international food festivals in Cebu.

“We embrace this opportunity to promote the Philippines in Switzerland. It is a privilege to represent the country and showcase the best of what Filipino chefs can offer to the world,” says Mr. Hans Hauri, General Manager of Marco Polo Plaza.

“We are grateful for the coordinated efforts of Swissôtel Zurich and the energetic people of the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDoT) in Europe. We are also indebted to the generous help and assistance lent to this event by the Ambassador of the Philippines to Switzerland, H.E. Ms. Ma. Theresa P. Lazaro, thereby allowing our team the chance to showcase what they can do, to promote and serve the country well.”

The Marco Polo Plaza is sending five members of its culinary team to Zurich, led by Chef Leo Montemayor with Carlos Dingding Jr., Katrina Avila, Lyndon Kong and Joy Romeo. The team will give guests of Swissôtel Zurich an authentic taste of Philippine traditions through costumes, greetings and a delectable variety of Filipino dishes such as lechon kawali, crispy pata, adobo, kaldereta, Pinoy desserts and more. 

The Marco Polo Plaza further extends its support by being an active co-sponsor of raffle prizes, giving out Gift Certificates for 4D/3N suite accommodation and 4D/3N continental club accommodation to Swiss travelers.

“The Philippine Food Festival comes at an opportune time. After having successfully staged a series of marketing initiatives now running on our 2nd year in Switzerland, we are fortunate that the Philippine Embassy sees merit in augmenting our Tourism initiatives in the marketplace,” says PDoT-Europe Tourism Attaché Marie Venus Tan.

Ms. Tan continues, “After convincing more and more Swiss tour operators and specialized travel agents of immense benefits to program the Philippines, the next strategy is now to sustain and create more travel demand. Hence we glean the Food Fest as an excellent consumer awareness promo platform – one among programmed to further our objectives. This invaluable contribution of our industry partners like the Marco Polo Plaza in Cebu is surely deemed indispensable. As we look forward to yet again “new” beginnings in Philippines Tourism management, we remain convinced and confident that the industry shall remain steadfast and resilient.”

The 1st Philippine Food Festival promotion in Switzerland is made possible with the full cooperation of PDoT Europe / Wow Philippines, Singapore Airlines and Swissotel Zurich. Hotel sponsors are Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, El Nido Resorts, Boracay Regency and Diamond Hotels Philippines. PR