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The first event of the Tagaytay Food and Wine Festival 2024 happened last Friday with the Grand Tasting at Anya Resort. For P3,950 per person, guests embarked on a feast of flavors featuring Tagaytay's finest chefs and their signature dishes. I met up with my Ninang Bess Howe and foodie friend Nines Licad for an epic Tagaytay evening.

At its heart, the Tagaytay Food and Wine Festival is an exploration of the city’s journey from a scenic highland retreat to a culinary hotspot. Its unique geography and cool climate have played a crucial role in shaping its vibrant dining scene. This transformation has spurred the growth of culinary tourism. Many local and international tourists now come specifically to explore Tagaytay as a dining destination. Taal remains to be its muse, and the food has become its compass.

Each guest was given two stubs which they could use to get a glass of any of the premium wines on display at the venue. These included red wines, white wines, and sangria.

The main function room of Anya Resorts was where all the chefs set up their stations for guests to sample. My first stop was at Happy Ongpauco-Tiu's Pamana and Tsokolateria table which are both places that I often visit when I go to Tagaytay.

I got a selection of some of their popular items like the Hot Tsoko, Smoked Tinapa Pasta, and Molted Queso Bruschetta. This was just one of the more than 10 different stations that guests could try at the Grand Tasting

Aniela Tolentino's Binulo Restaurant featured Papaitan, Dried Shrimp, and Tibuk-Tibuk together with Papa Bolo Microbrewery's Pina Niña pineapple ale. Anya Resort's own Chris Leaning had the Satay Skewer and Grilled Iberia Pork while Taal Vista's Chef Jayme Natividad brought his Beef Shank Ravioli with homemade ricotta and leeks.

The rich heritage of View Park Hotel’s Siglo Restaurant also delighted guest's taste buds with their signature dishes. Dan Puga's Lula Cafe and Binggoy Remedios' Asador by Dos Mestizos were also present to showcase their offerings.

Another restaurant I enjoy going to at Tagaytay is Ribchon and I got to meet its Chef Tristan Bayani.

He served their famous ribs served in three delicious ways. First up was the Lechon Ribs with Tangled Rice, together with the Beer Barbecue Ribs and the Sinigang Ribs. These were probably the most popular items that evening.

Kalel Chan's Farmers Table and My Country House from the Raintree Restaurants served two very interesting dishes. The first was the Pineapple Ceviche with Coconut Ginger Emulsion and Basil Oil.

Chef Kalel also presented the Bull & Tendon Tartufata Cream Meat Pie with peeled tomato confit. Squeeze the cream into the meat pie first before biting away.

Chef Robby Goco of Elaia by Cyma featured the Avocado Salad and Kakavia or Greek Fisherman's Stew. There was also their Lamb Pilaf with Domates Salata, pickles and yogurt in garlic sauce.

I wasn't familiar yet with Reynaldo’s Smokehouse so I really wanted to try their barbecued centerpieces. The Smoked Pepper Rub Brisket and the Smoked Roast Beef were some of my favorites that night, especially with their tender and smokey meats.

Chef Rhea SyCip of Flour Pot Bistro & Bakery is one of the main organizers of the Tagaytay Food and Wine Festival so her cakes and desserts were also very popular. I really love her Tres Leches cake while my husband always enjoys her Strawberry Doughnuts.

I wasn't really able to try all the stations since there were just so many. Some others included View Park Hotel’s Siglo Restaurant, Dan Puga's Lula Cafe, and Binggoy Remedios' Asador by Dos Mestizos. The Slow Food Community Cavite was also there representing local farmers and showcasing their efforts to preserve and promote biodiversity, food heritage, and gastronomy.

Senator Loren Legarda also had a part in the inaugural Tagaytay Food and Wine Festival 2024 as she helps promote culinary tourism. The Harvest Dinner was held on July 13, 2024 at The Fatted Calf where chefs Jayjay SyCip, Rhea SyCip, and Pilgrim Davao’s Jeramie Go collaborated on a menu that featured the best of ingredients, expertly prepared.

On July 20, there will be an elegant six-hands dinner at Luxe at 180 by Chef Sau del Rosario for P4,500 per person. Cocktails start at 4:00pm with the breathtaking view of Tagaytay bathed in the warm glow of dusk. This Black Truffle, Caviar, and Wine dinner will be presented by world-class chefs including Australia’s Oliver Buenviaje, Emirate’s John Buenaventura, and our very own French-trained chef, Sau del Rosario.

The back-to-back weekends will close with the Heritage Buffet on July 21, 2024 at the Veranda Restaurant of Taal Vista Hotel. For P2,200, this unique lunch buffet features the combined talents of chef Jayme Natividad of Taal Vista Hotel and chefs Jayjay and Rhea SyCip of The Fatted Calf. Together, they'll create a delightful fusion of heritage dishes, showcasing the best of Filipino cuisine.

Capping off the festival is the inaugural Creative Bulalo Challenge. In collaboration with the Tagaytay City Tourism Council, restaurants from Tagaytay City will compete in this exciting culinary showdown, where participants will present their most innovative interpretation of the city’s beloved Bulalo. This competition will culminate in September 2024 at the iconic Tagaytay Picnic Grove.

Congratulations to the organizers and participants of the first Tagaytay Food and Wine Festival. This is just the beginning of this annual foodie event that will surely make Tagaytay an even more exciting culinary destination.