Angeles City, Pampanga is Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary Destination 2024

MANILA, Philippines — Angeles City, Pampanga has been named Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination at the World Culinary Awards Gala Ceremony 2024 last October 3 in Dubai, UAE.

The award was received by Department of Tourism (DOT) Central Luzon Regional Director Richard Daenos, marking the first win for Angeles City in this category.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco commended the local government of Angeles City, along with its stakeholders and food community, for their efforts in preserving and promoting the city’s culinary treasures. A key part of this is the local ordinance recognizing sisig babi as a heritage dish of the city.

“This award is a testament to the collective hard work and passion of the people of Angeles City and the province of Pampanga in safeguarding and celebrating their unique culinary heritage,” Secretary Frasco said, noting that events like food heritage mapping in Pampanga, Culinary Familiarization Tours, and the First International Conference on Kapampangan Cuisine and the HARP Cook-Off Challenge help in promoting the local gastro-tourism.

The must-visit “Culinary Capital of the Philippines” is not only known for the iconic sisig (sizzling pork dish) but also for other traditional Kapampangan dishes include tokwa’t baboy, bringhe (a Kapampangan version of paella), and tidtad, a blood stew. The city’s street food scene includes snacks like kamaru (fried crickets) and tibok-tibok (carabao milk pudding).

Angeles City bested Hanoi, Vietnam; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Kyoto, Japan; and Taipei, Taiwan in the Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination category.

“Angeles City’s accolade is a testament to how food can be a driving force for tourism, and we look forward to continuing our work in highlighting the diverse flavors and rich food culture that define our country,” Secretary Frasco added.

Other Philippine nominees in this year’s awards include Blackbird at Nielson Tower for Asia’s Best Landmark Restaurant. For 2024, Nobu Manila was named the Philippines’ Best Restaurant, while Crystal Dragon at City of Dreams Manila was named the Philippines’ Best Hotel Restaurant.

The World Culinary Awards, a sister event to the World Travel Awards, recognizes top culinary names worldwide every year. — Steph Arnaldo/Rappler.com