Cebu launches food and wine fest 

With vibrant music, curated culinary showcases, and a celebration of Filipino identity, the Cebu Food and Wine Festival (CFWF) 2025 opened in full flavor at the JPark Tower on June 14, 2025.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who served as guest speaker during the grand opening, underscored the DOT’s continued support for regional gastronomy and Filipino culinary excellence.

“This festival is not merely a celebration of cuisine—it is a reflection of our collective identity,” Secretary Frasco said. “Every gathering like this affirms the Philippines’ place on the global stage and reflects the cultural pride that defines who we are.”

Carrying the theme “Homegrown, Global Experience,” this year’s CFWF highlights Cebu’s rich culinary traditions alongside international partnerships with institutions such as Le Cordon Bleu and Canadian Beef. The festival also enjoys corporate backing from Globe Telecom and Cebu Pacific.

Guests at the opening night were treated to dynamic performances, including live saxophone renditions and sets from DJ Mozo, complementing the wine and food pairings served throughout the evening. The event reinforced Cebu’s emerging role as a global gastronomy destination.

Now in its fourth year, CFWF began as a pandemic-era recovery initiative in 2021. It has since grown into a two-week celebration of food, wine, and community, featuring chefs, mixologists, restaurants, and hotels from across the Philippines and abroad. This year’s edition will run until June 28 at various venues around Cebu.

Secretary Frasco also reaffirmed DOT’s push for sustainable food tourism, noting the department’s backing of upcoming events like Terra Madre Asia Pacific in Bacolod and the strengthening of farm-to-table and market tourism initiatives.

“As a Cebuana, it has been my privilege to ensure that Cebu’s leadership is seen, heard, and felt—not just in festivals like this, but also in the policies and progress shaping our country,” she said.

Joining her at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco, JPark Island Resort Chairman and President Justin Uy, General Manager Brian Connelly, CFWF Chairwoman Kate Dychangco-Anzani, and other tourism and government officials.

The opening night brought together culinary professionals, government leaders, and tourism stakeholders, united by their shared love of Filipino food and culture—a fitting beginning to Cebu’s most flavorful fortnight.