The Big Bite Food Festival is the most highly-anticipated food event of the year and each year, it just keeps getting bigger and better! This year’s Big Bite happened last March 15-18, 2018 and is powered by Centrio Ayala Mall and Professional Organizers Unlimited, Inc.
The event’s theme this year is; “Summer in Full Bloom” and it showcased the best of Northern Mindanao flavors by having most of its exhibitors as home-grown businesses in NorthMin.
Here are some of the event highlights of Big Bite Food Festival 2018.
DAY ONE – MARCH 15
The first day began with an Opening Ceremony at the Centrio Garden walkway which was hosted by Ms. Margie Auyong Velasquez (ABS-CBN MagTV Host).
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was graced by Centrio Mall Executives (Mr. Hammer Roa. and Ms. Carina Celine Karagdag) and officials from the Department of Tourism Region 10 (Ms. Marie Elaine Ongchuan – Regional Director of DOT Region X), COHARA representatives (Ms. Nollie Arguelles and company) and the General Manager of Limketkai Luxe Hotel (Mr. Jerome Dela Fuente).
After the ribbon-cutting, everybody was directed to the activity center where the “Biggest Buko Halo-Halo” was unveiled with the assistance of Culinary students from CIC and Centrio Mall Executives and distinguished guests who did the ribbon-cutting earlier.
A picture-taking ceremony then ensued and everyone was invited to tour the booth participants.
When this was done, the activities and food competitions took place at the Centrio activity center and this went on the whole day.
DAY TWO – MARCH 16
On the second day of the Big Bite Food Festival 2018, the food competitions at the Centrio Activity Center continued.
This was also the First Day of the Media/Bloggers Food Tour of the Booth Participants wherein they went around tasting the best-sellers of the first batch of exhibitors. Some of the booths we visited and their best-sellers included the following; Pilian Café (Quesadilla, Choco drink, Mookie and Vegetable Salad), Choobi Choobi (Flavored Shrimps), Thai Me Up (Spring Rolls, Pad Thai, Rice Bowls), Mercedes Bakery (Chookie), Tubo J Beverages (Ginger Brew and Calamansi Juice).
Other booths we visited are; Lola Gely’s (Yema), Nanay Choleng’s (Moron), Mai Crafts Café (Tablea Cake and Churros), Double Bubble Laundromat (Revel Bars and Sparkling Coffee), Lugaw Queen, The Hungy Pig (Cheesy Longganisa and Baby Back Ribs), Cantina Luchador (Burrito Plate), Barkadahan Grill (Burger), Bfoods Grill (Crab and Shrimps) and MESA (Crispy Squid, Pork Belly, Halo-Halo).
The Centrio Garden was filled with several diners and entertained by great music by the live entertainment provided by the guest performers.
DAY 3 – MARCH 17
On the third day of the Big Bite Food Festival, the food competitions and activities continued at the Centrio Activity Center.
The day just became more exciting when Kapuso Stars; Megan Young (Miss World 2013) and her beau Mikael Daez (Actor/Model/Host/Blogger) made a special appearance at the Centrio Activity Center.
The real-life couple did a cooking demo with one of CIC’s representatives and served up their finished products to the audience. The crowd went wild when Mikael and Megan performed their individual song numbers.
It was indeed a memorable day for the fans and onlookers at the event.
The third day of Big Bite was also the 2nd day of the Media/Bloggers Food Tour of the Booth Participants. This time, these are some of the booths we visited and tried their best-sellers; Normin Veggies (lumpia and drinks), Infinitea (milk tea and fruit teas), Pane e Dolci (new sylvannas flavors strawberry and pandan), Freezie (ice cream), Gat’s Garden (pesto toast).
Other booths we visited were the following; Kenko Naicha (egg rolls, cookies and muffins), Darlene’s Pastries (mini cupcakes), Culinary Institute of Cdo (palitaw, binaki, empanada, puto), Borj’s (tuna belly, kinilaw), Steve’s Barbecue, Missy Bonbon Frozen Factory (gelato), Bowerbird Coffee, Curry Curry (Burger), Garbo Cdeo, My Granny’s (Wagyu Burger, Bicol Express, Sisig) and many others.
A few moments into the tour, everybody was astounded as “Apoy Cdo”, a group of firedancers began performing at the Centrio Garden walkway. It was indeed a breath-taking and jaw-dropping performance that entertained everyone who was there.
As the final highlight of the night, we were all directed to the Centrio Garden for the Biggest bowl of Shrimp (from Choobi Choobi) to be revealed.
This was hosted by Cindy Obenita and after this was unveiled, everybody who was there got to taste this very special dish.
DAY 4 – MARCH 18
The last day of the Big Bite Festival 2018 is finally here and Centrio Mall Management had an Awarding Ceremony at the Centrio Activity Center. It was hosted by Elton Ladd Batinga and Cindy Obenita.
It was during this moment where they awarded the winners of the food competitions, gave recognition and certificates to the participating exhibitors and acknowledgement to the participating media/bloggers who helped make this event possible.
The big winners for the Food Tour which was judged by the Media/Blogger participants are the following; Pilian Café, Mesa, Pane e Dolce and Gat’s Garden.
Congratulations Centrio Ayala Mall and Professional Organizers Unlimited Inc. for a successful event! ‘Til next year!
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