Iloilo City opens its kitchens to showcase how it earned the recognition of being the only UNESCO City of Gastronomy in the Philippines as the two-day 16th National Food Showdown officially kicked off at the Iloilo Convention Center here on Friday.

“It is both a great honor and joy for us to host this prestigious event. For the very first time, today, Iloilo proudly opens its kitchens and dining tables to the rest of the country, ready to showcase the flavors, stories, and the spirit that has earned us a place in the global culinary map,” Mayor Raisa Treñas said in her message.

The food showdown, led by culinary icon Chef Myrna Segismundo and organized by the Iloilo City government through the City MICE Center and Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc., gathered over 200 chefs, students and culinary professionals from 35 schools, hotels and restaurants across the country.

It featured 215 entries across seven categories, including classic dishes, innovative beverages, pastry arts, beverage mixology and service presentation, among others, with 16 national chefs serving as judges.

“This year’s theme, ‘Kaon, Ta!’ (Let us Eat) beautifully captures the heart of Ilonggo hospitality. It’s more than the invitation to eat. It’s a gesture of warmth, welcome, and togetherness. In every Ilonggo home, ‘Kaon, ta!’ is how we greet friends, family, and even strangers,” Treñas said.

The cookfest not only raises the bar of schools, hotels and restaurants, but also strengthens the vision of the Eats Iloilo program, where food becomes both an economic driver and cultural identity, inspiring pride in every Ilonggo.

“As this event coincides with the opening of our Iloilo Arts Festival Month, we celebrate how gastronomy is an art. Where flavors, textures and traditions come together to create beauty on the plate and joy in our hearts,” she said.

In addition to competition, the two-day event also features live demonstrations and lectures from chefs and restaurateurs. (PNA)