It was hard to refuse an invitation to eat all around Iloilo and judge a cooking competition. Though I’ve been to this province multiple times, I missed indulging in the regional food items.
My good friend and founder of the annual Tabu-an Western Visayas Ilonggo Heritage Cooking Competition, Rafael “Tibong” Jardeleza, probably knew I wouldn’t turn him down if he packed our itinerary with places—and dishes—I would go all the way to Iloilo for.
There’s Roberto’s Queen siopao, which is stuffed with bacon, Chinese sausage, chicken, egg and pork adobo; Maridel’s seasonal pink guava cake; Popoy’s sweetish batchoy; Tatoy’s fried native chicken; the duck pao from Bakery …
Keep on reading: New finds, old favorites, fresh culinary talents in Iloilo