LONDON 15 April 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in London held an event dubbed “Kain Na!” (Let’s Eat!) at Sentro Rizal London on 11 April 2024, in a joint celebration of Filipino Food Month and National Literature Month.
The program featured the launch of the book We Cook Filipino by UK-based Filipino author Jacqueline Chio-Lauri and a cooking demonstration by Filipino chef Roni Bandong, founder of RoniB’s Kitchen, which produces artisan Filipino sauces, condiments and preserves.
In his welcome remarks, Ambassador Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. lauded Ms. Chio-Lauri and Chef Roni for their significant contribution to Filipino literature and Filipino food, respectively. The flavors of the Philippines were presented through Ms Chio-Lauri’s book and through the cooking demonstration of Chef Roni.
Ms. Chio-Lauri provided a short presentation about her book which compiles recipes and stories from Filipino food personalities and award-winning chefs. Meanwhile, Chef Roni imparted some cooking tips and techniques and outlined the procedures in preparing the northern Philippine dish, spicy poque poque.
The cooking presentation also provided Chef Roni with an opportunity to highlight some of her own products, which includes a range of sauces produced and marketed by her company RoniB’s Kitchen.
The presentations were followed by a “pub quiz”, with the emcee asking guests some questions about Ms. Chio-Lauri’s presentation and Chef Roni’s talk and cooking demonstration. Simple tokens comprising of Filipino food and other products were awarded to the winners.
This was followed by a salo-salo featuring dishes prepared by Spoon & Rice, a UK-based Filipino food business which specializes in Filipino street food handmade with fresh ingredients.
The Embassy was pleased to be able to support small Filipino-owned businesses such as Spoon & Rice and RoniB’s Kitchen at this event.
The event was attended by some officials of the ASEAN Embassies in London, British food personalities and contacts, UK-based Filipino media and members of the Filipino community.
