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French apples take center stage in Metro Manila event

Lifestyle | Food

French apples take center stage in Metro Manila event

By MB Lifestyle

The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines (CCIFP) and Interfel concluded a three-day event highlighting the excellence of French apples at the Grand Hyatt Manila in Taguig City. Held Nov. 12-14, the "Bonjour French Food" initiative aimed to strengthen connections between French fruit exporters and Philippine stakeholders, offering new business opportunities and promoting culinary innovation.

The event opened with remarks from Kevin Charuel, managing director of CCIFP, followed by Cheryl Caballero, undersecretary of the Department of Agriculture’s High Value Crops Development Program. Philippe Lintanf, regional agri-food counselor at the French Embassy, provided an overview of France’s phytosanitary standards, while Daniel Sauvaitre, president of Interfel, and Eric Guasch, chairman of Interfel’s International Committee, discussed the French apple sector.

A culinary workshop demonstrated the versatility of French apples in Filipino cuisine. Chefs Charles Soussin, Mark Hagan, and Carlo Miguel prepared dishes such as stuffed apple chicken with prawn and apple coulis. The session showcased how French apples could be incorporated into local gastronomy.

Business-to-business meetings allowed French exporters, including representatives from Innatis, Distrimex, Groupe La Blottière, and Blue Whale, to present apple varieties such as Royal Gala, Granny Smith, and Kissabel. Attendees sampled the produce while discussing potential collaborations.

The event concluded with a cocktail reception featuring an apple-infused cocktail by the Grand Hyatt’s head mixologist and Calvados, a French apple brandy.

The first shipment of French apples is expected in the Philippines in the coming weeks, marking a step forward in bilateral trade and culinary exchange.

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