DOT launches food, travel fest in Cagayan de Oro

A participant prepares food samples to guests at the “Kaon Ta” food and travel festival organized by the Department of Tourism Region, during the opening ceremony Friday, November 23, at the Centrio Mall in Cagayan de Oro. (Photo by Ercel Maandig via PNA)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY–The Department of Tourism in Region 10 (DOT-10) opened the three-day Food and Travel Festival on Friday, to showcase Northern Mindanao’s top cuisines.

Dubbed “Kaon Ta” (let’s eat), the November 23-25 event is participated in by 32 exhibitors consisting of hotels and restaurants belonging to Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA), as well as other regional hospitality and tourism industry players.

“This is a promising gastronomic extravaganza that awaits visitors and shoppers,” said DOT-10 Director May Unchuan.

DOT Assistant Secretary for Mindanao Ma. Paz Abubakar invited food enthusiasts to “be treated to a wide array of local cuisine of Region 10,” including exotic authentic Cagayan de Oro recipes presented by city’s prominent local chefs for degustation of special guests.

Abubakar said the festival complements DOT’s focal program in Mindanao, which focuses on “Farm, Food and Travel Tourism.”

Unchuan said the series of events promoting food, travel and other unique tourism elements will showcase the country’s wide diverse culinary culture, while creating awareness and interest in distinct Filipino cuisine and tourism destinations.

“Travel experience is really more fun when served with the fusion of the unique Filipino hospitality and delectable Filipino food,” Unchuan said.