TACLOBAN CITY – Secret Kitchens of Samar, a five-volume culinary book series, was awarded Best Book Series in the World and Best Regional Book in the World at the 30th Gourmand World Cookbook Awards during the Cascais World Food Summit in Estoril Convention Center in Portugal this week.

It was the lone winner from the Philippines.

Authored by Clang Garcia, the project was led by the provincial government of Samar and funded by the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, with technical support from the Department of Tourism-Eastern Visayas.

Garcia said that despite her extensive travels across the country, she was amazed to discover Samar's unique flavors, intriguing cuisines, and indigenous techniques that were unfamiliar to her.

“We are grateful to all bearers of traditions who opened their kitchens and souls to us, as well as to the tourism officers, farmers, people’s organizations, editorial team, and the Samar Provincial Tourism Office for their tireless efforts and persistence in making this dream a reality,” she said.

Gov. Ann Tan dedicated the award to Samar’s kitchen heroes, their families, and people who continue to preserve the province’s rich food heritage.

Secret Kitchens has become a tool for developing heritage tours, cultural education, and fostering pride among Samarnons in their culinary traditions.

Department of Tourism-8 Regional Director Karen Tiopes congratulated Tan and the Samar Provincial Tourism Office for the book.

“The Secret Kitchens of Samar book collection truly deserves global recognition. A big thanks to the Tourism Promotions Board and the Office of Tourism Development Planning, Research, and Information Management (OTDPRIM) of the Department of Tourism for the support extended to the crafting of books that celebrate Samar's culinary heritage,” she said.