PRESS RELEASE - 35 - 2019
(21 May 2019, Honolulu) - The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, together with L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, the second largest Asian fast-food chain in the US, organized a Networking Event for Filipinos in the Restaurant Industry on 17 May 2019 at the Ala Wai Golf Course branch of L&L. More than forty (40) people attended the event which included restaurant/cafe owners, managers, food distributors, and other Filipino and Filipino Americans in other industries. Among notable attendees are Mr. Jun Tadiarca, who is currently launching his locally-made and Filipino-inspired hot sauce in the market, and Mr. Carlito Jocson, Vice President and executive chef of Yard House, an upscale American sports bar chain with 66 locations across the United States. Chef Jocson was instrumental in the introduction of lumpia in the menu of Yard House and is currently working to have adobo chicken wings included in their restaurant's offering.
Consul General Angelica C. Escalona welcomed the guests to the mixer noting the important contributions of Filipinos in the restaurant industry of Hawaii. Mr. Bryan Andaya, President of L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, meanwhile inspired the attendees to pursue their passion in the food and beverage industry citing the success story of L&L, which started as a small business by Mr. Eddie Flores, a FilAm entrepreneur, and has since grown into one of the biggest food franchises in America.
The purpose of the networking event is also to provide more information regarding the Filipino Food Week. Vice Consul Andrea Christina Caymo shared to the audience the updates regarding the week-long event which will take place from 9-15 June 2019. For one week, participating restaurants in Oahu and Maui will be featuring special Filipino dishes in their menu which their customers can try. Twenty restaurants have already signed up to be part of Filipino Food Week which includes Hawaii Regional Cuisine pioneers (Chef Chai, Merriman's, Roy's Hawaii), a James Beard Semi-Finalist (Lineage), award-winning mainstream restaurants (Mariposa, Haleiwa Beach House), Hawaiian and Asian Fusion restaurants (Fond Maui, Joey's Kitchen, Restaurant XO, Star Noodle, Tin Roof), Chinese restaurant (Won Kee), famed Tiki bar (Tiki’s Grill and Bar) and Filipino favorites (Café Julia, Dana's Restaurant, Elena's Home of Finest Filipino Foods, Max's of Manila, Tante's Island Cuisine, Tiano's Restaurant, Ubae Hawaii). Tickets to the participating restaurants will be made available at the website of the Filipino Food Week, www.filipinofoodweekhawaii.com starting 27 May 2019. END
