MANILA – Angeles City, located in the Philippine province of Pampanga, has been honored as Asia’s Best Emerging Culinary City Destination at the prestigious World Culinary Awards Gala Ceremony held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
According to Philippines News Agency, the recognition was announced during the gala on October 3, 2024, marking a significant achievement for Angeles City in the culinary world. Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, speaking at the event, highlighted the city’s deep culinary traditions and the global appeal of its local dishes such as sisig, which have propelled Angeles into the international food scene.
The award, received by Department of Tourism (DOT) 3 (Central Luzon) Director Richard, is the first for the city in this category and comes as a result of extensive efforts to promote and preserve its food culture. Secretary Frasco also emphasized the community’s commitment to its culinary heritage, citing the recent passage of an ordinance that declares Sisig Babi an Intangible Heritage of Angeles.
Angeles City has steadily drawn attention from food lovers around the world for its diverse food offerings, including street foods like tokwa’t baboy and desserts such as bibingka. This culinary variety and its cultural significance were key factors in its nomination and win against other notable destinations in Asia, including Hanoi, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, and Kyoto.
The World Culinary Awards, an affiliate of the World Travel Awards, is dedicated to recognizing global excellence in the culinary sector and continues to highlight emerging food destinations across the world.