The Philippine Embassy in Bangladesh, in collaboration with celebrity chef Tommy Mea, MBE, hosted a special networking dinner at Hotel Aristocrat Inn, Gulshan-2 on Monday (September 9, 2025). The evening, which brought together diplomatic circles, business and hospitality partners, and friends of the Philippines, was a unique celebration of culinary diplomacy and cultural exchange.
In her opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador Nina P. Cayanglet described food as a universal language and said, “One of the best ways to build love and friendship is to share food together.”
Syeda Rizwana Hassan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Water Resources, was present as the chief guest at the event. He called for the enhancement of the status of farmers, fishermen and farm workers, saying, “Food is not just about taste—it is a carrier of culture, and it is important to respect the people behind it.”
One of the highlights of the evening was a live cooking demonstration of the popular Philippine dish, Chicken Adobo. It was served by the embassy’s administrative officer, Arthur Blass. Guests enjoyed the traditional dish, mesmerized by the aroma of garlic, vinegar and soy sauce.
Celebrity chef Tommy Mia served the Adobo Chicken Taco Bites at the event, which combined traditional Filipino flavors with modern presentation. The two versions of Adobo were highly praised by the guests, highlighting the key message of culinary diplomacy.
The dinner menu featured flavors from various Asian countries—Bangladeshi mini phuchka cups, Thai chicken satay lollipops, Japanese rainbow sushi con, Vietnamese mini goi kuon cups, Sri Lankan fish cutlet crostini, Malaysian mini roti chanai rolls, and Indonesian satay lilit skewers—a unique food journey for the guests.
In addition, to mark National Language Month (Buan ng Wika), embassy officials performed popular Filipino songs. The performances of ‘Tala’, ‘Minsang Minahal Ay Ako’, ‘Pangako Sa’yo’, and ‘Sumayao Sumunod’ created a warm and festive atmosphere at the venue and the guests got a taste of Philippine culture.
The networking dinner was a pre-event for the upcoming ‘Taste Asia Festival 2025’ (November 20–21, Sylhet), which will further strengthen cultural ties between the Philippines, Bangladesh, and regional partners.
