Lechon is arguably one of the favorite specialty foods for Filipinos in and outside of the Philippines. If the sight and smell of a whole pig roasted to perfection brings pleasure, what more the taste of it? I have tasted many types and variants of lechon from different places in the Philippines - from North to South - but last week it was my first time to taste the Native Lechon made by the Cotta family in Lucena City, Quezon Province.

Inside, read my attempt to describe the taste of the Cotta Native Lechon. Crispy outside. Tender and juicy inside. Sounds like a commercial huh? I dare you to try Cotta Native Lechon and tell me if you think otherwise. Just take a look at the pictures of the lechon inside I guarantee you will want to taste this lechon, too.

By Valerie Tort

Tea is a great morning starter and a calming herbal concoction to cater people from different age groups. Tea is the next most popular drink to water. Just like morning or mid-afternoon coffee breaks, drinking tea is usually associated with healthy and satisfying rituals or get-togethers.

Different researches show that drinking approximately two to four cups of tea per day may cut down the risk of developing cancers and heart disease, and at the same time increase the level of antioxidants in the body. In addition, a cup of tea can lessen the cravings for high fat and sugar laden foods.

Find the perfect Tea type for you

By Valerie Tort

Amid the Starbucks phenomena, how many of us know that that the Philippines grows the best verieties of coffee in the world? And the kapeng barako is just one of them.

More and more people are becoming coffee drinkers. Coffee has become a part of the everyday Filipino diet. Remember the choice of tapa (smoked meat) or longanisa (Filipino sausage) served with sinangag (fried rice) and fried egg paired with coffee for a Filipino breakfast? How about the merienda of cuchinta and coffee?

Find out more Philippine Coffee variety

By Excel V. Dyquiangco

A fusion of world-class dishes blends seamlessly in a chic and modern lifestyle dining at Serendra in The Fort. For call center agents who would want to have a taste of just about everything anywhere in the world, then they don’t have to look far: Serendra pleases various palates yearning for more than just coffee.

Like a concoction of your favorite dish, made with a tad bit of everything, and soothing appetizers to taste, Serendra offers Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Hawaiian, Brazilian, Japanese, Chinese and of course, Filipino meals.

Check out the Serendra Dining Strip Manila restaurants

By Valerie Tort

The Asian art of cooking introduced a hearty mix of dining pleasure, distinct satisfaction, and protection against diseases with miso.

Miso is the star of the homegrown dishes. Now, it makes me wonder what magic does miso have that it is treated in such a way that other spices and ingredients would be jealous of. What is miso?

More about Miso, favorite Asian cooking ingredient

By Jodelen Ortiz

The food industry is an essential element to promote tourism. Most tourists, especially those from other countries would always look for authentic Filipino cuisine and Philippine exotic food. In fact, some tourist spots bexame widely popular particularly because of their food. No wonder, there are provinces with festivals and events that flood the street with lechons, bangus (milkfish) and pantat (catfish) dishes.

Tourism without the food and restaurants are either non-existent, dying or weak. Thank God, Puerto Princesa City’s tourism condition is none of these three.

Continue: Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Restaurant Guide

By Jodelen O. Ortiz

When I was in Singapore an associate asked me: “What food in the Philippines do you consider very unique that only the bold and daring could eat?” My instant reply: Tamilok, a favorite delicacy in Palawan province.

Tamilok is a mangrove worm that is not exactly a worm. Although it looks like one, it is actually a mangrove-boring mollusk. Palawan’s natural resources boosts of large mangrove areas, especially on the northern part covering municipalities of Taytay, El Nido, Busuanga, Culion, Coron and Linapacan. These are the towns that are also frequently visited by tourists of different nationalities, according to statistics.

Learn more about this favorite Palawan delicacy, Tamilok

By Antonette Pua

As Manny Pacquiao continues to bring honor to the country by constantly beating Mexicans in the boxing ring, and more Hollywood ladies rave over Filipino haute couture Monique Lhuillier’s glamorous gowns, here comes Tristan Encarnacion, a Filipino chef whose exemplary cooking style earned him his own signature line from the imported cookware brand Sunnex.

Unveiled on April 17 at SM North EDSA’s The Block, is a high-end cookware line tagged Tristan Chef’s Classics by Sunnex bearing the signature of Tristan Encarnacion, resident chef of GMA-7’s morning program, “Unang Hirit,” and owner of Bambouche restaurant.

Read more on celebrity chef Tristan Encarnacion

The Center for Culinary Arts-Manila, the country’s premier formal culinary school will be conducting a wine course dubbed as Wine Appreciation Workshop, at C3 Events in San Juan on April 21.The event will be handled by no less than wine connoisseur/expert Sherwin Lao.

He will teach the participants how to evaluate wine through the senses of sight, smell, taste and touch. Students will also learn how to judge premium wines and differentiate Old and New World wines and read labels.

Read more about Center for Culinary Arts wine workshop

By Excel V. Dyquiangco

One of the things the Filipinos are known for is their unique qualities that make up almost anything into something new and unblemished. And, well, food is not an exception. While many nations still prefer dining in or dining out and eating pizzas in a raucous way, Filipinos bring their hunger to the streets for their favorite Pinoy street food.

Everywhere one looks, there is a queue formed to buy some of the most exotic delicacies that vendors could offer – there is the grilled chicken intestines or isaw, fried squid balls, fishballs or kikiam – a type of processed chicken, which are served on a stick. There are also the offal (or better known as betamax, after its rectangular shape, and chicken feet (adidas).

More Isaw and Fishball Pinoy Street Food