Flavors of Iloilo cookbook launched

The Ilonggo cookbook “Flavors of Iloilo” was officially launched at SM City Events Center Oct. 14 witnessed by patrons with the goal of promoting Iloilo City as the Food Haven of the Philippines.

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, First Lady Rosalie Treñas, Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. president Jose Marie V. Layson, and Ilonggo heritage cuisine advocate Chef Rafael “Tibong” Jardeleza Jr. led the launching.

The 5,000-copy publication was successfully supported by sponsors Iloilo City Government, JS Layson Group of Companies, and Department of Agriculture Region 6.

The 200-page cookbook features the best-tasting Ilonggo specialties that promote the city’s heritage cuisine, worthy of sharing with the rest of the world.

“We are very happy to launch our official cookbook that tells stories of Ilonggos – distinct yet so diverse, traditional, and still so full of surprise, of delight, and of love, which is the most important ingredient in any of our cooking,” Mayor Treñas said.

The brainchild of First Lady Rosalie and chefs of Iloilo highlighted cuisines cooked in the Ilonggo way and with ingredients mainly sourced from the city and province of Iloilo.

“To my beloved wife, Rosalie, thank you for making this possible, and to all our partners, our gratitude for helping us preserve our rich cultural heritage,” Mayor Treñas added.

Appreciation was also extended to the cookbook team: Chefs Jardeleza, Maridel Uygongco, Wilson Esperancilla, and Gerry Treñas; Myka Perlas, Leny Ledesma, and Paolo Treñas; and Ilonggo families who have contributed their heirloom recipes.

For book orders, interested parties may contact Jennie Tamon at 0910 552 7304 at IFFI office, ground floor of Ker and Co. Building behind City Hall, Monday-Friday 8:30am-5pm. (Angelo Miranda/Iloilo City PIO)