by Issa Rodriguez |
Cagayan De Oro, the City of Golden Friendship, hosted the fourth stop of DINE Philippines 2014 last September 26, 2014. The learning session opened with a warm welcome from two prominent individuals, Department of Tourism Regional Director Catalino Chan III and Cagayan De Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association Vice President for Restaurants, Joanna Yu. Siting the timeliness of DINE Philippines Food Business Seminar, Director Chan rallied the Kagayanons towards competitiveness, especially since the city was sited top 1 in 2013 and top 2 in 2014 as the Philippine’s most competitive city by the National Competitiveness Council. Joanna Yu highlighted the interest and demand for growth in the hospitality and food service sectors as a key driver in the City’s economic growth and nation building.
The seminar was attended by all hospitality and tourism value chain members, such as restaurant and hotel owners, executives and academicians, hospitality consultants, traders and service providers. While each speaker had unique experiences and insights to share, they were in agreement that achieving competitiveness is a learning continuous process, and is a collective effort to include all stakeholders in the supply chain, especially the local producers. Roster of speakers included Amor Maclang, Director of Communications and Business Development of GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications, who highlighted Five Rules in Local Hospitality Branding. Homer Nievera of Negosentro.com and FoodFindsAsia.com explained why and how food businesses should have marketing strategies online and on mobile platforms. Trends and best practices in the hospitality industry were discussed by Courage Asia’s President and Director of Terra First Bite, Adolfo Aran, Jr; followed by practical lessons and best practices in opening a food business as shared by Dan Francisco of Cuptails. To culminate the seminar, Chef Robby Goco of Cyma Greek Taverna and Green Pastures shared his insights in creating and developing a sustainable menu.
DINE Philippines 2014 Seminar Series is endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Tourism, in recognition of DINE Philippines’ advocacy of enhancing the level of our country’s tourism, hospitality and culinary industries and of promoting Filipino competitiveness in food service standards in light of globalization. The event is also supported by the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines (COHREP); NVIRO Paint, and media sponsors BusinessWorld, HerWord.com, F&B World, Interaksyon Lifestyle, ClickTheCity.com, Negosentro.com and FoodFindsAsia.com. Locally it was supported by Nestle Professional, Nestle Alegria and Nestea House Blend, Seda Centrio, Vista Lan’s Camella and The Loop at Limetkai, Smart Communications, Bigby’s Restaurant and Mallberry Suites.
DINE Philippines is on its fourth year and is brought to key cities around the country. After DINE’s Davao and Zamboanga, SOCCSKSARGEN and Cagayan De Oro, the next stops of DINE Philippines 2014 will be in Pampanga, Legaspi, Iloilo, Samar, Leyte and Baguio.
