‘The New Filipino Kitchen’ launched in Washington

Philippine Embassy, DC, filipinoreporter.us

Contributing authors of the book “The New Filipino Kitchen” composed of (front row, l.-r.) Aniceto Comia Reña Jr., Kristina Villavicencio, Katrina Villavicencio, (2nd row, l.-r.) Paolo Dungca, Paolo Espanola, Vanessa Lorenzo, Cristina Quakenbush, Alexa Alfaro and Dalena Benavente pose for a group photo with Philippine Agriculture Attaché to the Americas Dr. Josyline Javelosa (center, in white blazer) after the book’s successful DC launch at Kramerbooks & Afterwords on Sept. 27, 2018.

Special to the Filipino Reporter

WASHINGTON — A new book on Philippine cuisine, entitled “The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from around the Globe,” made a successful debut in Washington, D.C. through the joint efforts of Sentro Rizal Washington DC, the Office of the Philippine Agriculture Attaché, and Kramerbooks & Afterwords, on Sept. 27,  2018.

“The New Filipino Kitchen,” edited by Jacqueline Chio-Lauri, is an anthology of 30 stories and recipes from expatriate Filipino chefs and home cooks in North America.

It has received highly positive reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, and is a number one bestseller in Southeast Asian Cooking on Amazon.

In his welcome remarks, Minister Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, Economic Officer of the Philippine Embassy, said, “‘The New Filipino Kitchen’ is a celebration of a cuisine whose time to be recognized and enjoyed the world over, has come. Filled with stories and recipes of acclaimed Filipino chefs, home cooks and writers from the Filipino diaspora community, ‘The New Filipino Kitchen’ revels in the dazzling array of flavors and textures of Philippine cuisine while bringing the readers along on the authors’ personal journeys of discovering and embracing their unique identity and heritage.”

Six of the contributing authors read excerpts of their work during the book launch.

A guest checks out a copy of “The New Filipino Kitchen” displayed for sale at Kramers prior to the start of the formal program.

They are Cristina Quakenbush of New Orleans, who shared an excerpt from her story behind the Filipino dish kinilaw; Tennessee-based Dalena Benavente who talked about her first taste of afritada; Milwaukeean Alexa Alfaro, who recounted conversations with her father on making lumpia; Vanessa Lorenzo, based in Virginia and proud of her family’s habichuelas recipe; New York-based blogger and culinary ambassador Paolo Espanola, who read an excerpt from his story behind pancit molo; and Kristina Villavicencio, one of the four creators of the Filipino-American Timpla supper club in Washington, D.C., who shared their story behind cassava cake.

Darell Artates, the Embassy’s Public Diplomacy Officer and Administrator of Sentro Rizal Washington DC, read an excerpt from a chapter contributed by White House Chef Cristeta Comerford.

In “Ang Pambihirang Luto ni Nanay” (Mom’s Extraordinary Cooking), Chef Cris Comerford shares fond memories of her mother’s escabeche recipe.

Philippine Agriculture Attaché to the Americas Dr. Josyline Javelosa delivered a message on behalf of the editor Jacqueline Chio-Lauri, who is currently in the United Kingdom.

“By supporting this book, you are not only helping promote Filipino food and culture, but also helping pave the way for Filipino voices to be heard in the mainstream, now and in the future,” Ms. Chio-Lauri told the audience.

She also writes in the book’s introduction, “Complex and diverse, Filipino cuisine is ineffable. Trying to define it in few sentences will always fall short in capturing its essence. To make sense of Filipino food, it has to be experienced, with all the emotions and sensations that are associated with it.”

Members of the audience were treated to free servings of adobo sliders and cassava cake.

Philippine Embassy’s Economic Minister Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga delivers the welcome remarks during the DC launch of “The New Filipino Kitchen” at Kramerbooks & Afterwords.

Fifteen lucky individuals who bought copies of the book also received a customized “Flavors: It’s More Fun in the Philippines” aprons distributed by the Philippine Department of Tourism-New York Office.

“We are delighted and honored to be a part of this project that celebrates the achievements of Philippine cuisine and the Filipino diaspora community. I wish ‘The New Filipino Kitchen’ continued success and I hope that it would inspire further explorations and enjoyment of our cuisine,” Philippine ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said in a statement.

“We are grateful to Kramerbooks & Afterwords for partnering with us on this event,” he added.

Founded in 1976, Kramerbooks & Afterwords, or Kramers, is an iconic institution along the U.S. capital’s historic Dupont Circle.

The book launch is the first collaboration between the Embassy and Kramers.

The audience enjoy free servings of adobo sliders and cassava cake.

Two of the guests who bought copies of the book pose for a photo; Kramers sold a total of 48 copies during the DC book launch.

Guests who bought a copy of the book also received a customized “Flavors: It’s More Fun in the Philippines” aprons from the Philippine Department of Tourism-New York Office.