Chef Miggy Cabel Moreno is increasingly recognized as a cultural ambassador for Southern Mindanao cuisine. Since opening Palm Grill in 2017 and Cabel in 2022, Moreno has been on a mission to showcase the region's culinary diversity.
A Collaborative Culinary Experience
Moreno's latest endeavor features a one-night-only collaboration with Mark Tumbale, executive sous chef at Admiral Hotel Manila. Together, they crafted an eight-course menu celebrating the flavors of Southern Mindanao.
Busog Chronicles is like an admiral’s travel. We tried to bring flavors and stories of places that for some people might not yet be reachable. Having this dinner is a testament that stories are meant to be shared.
Mark Tumbale, Executive Sous Chef
- The collaboration highlights Southern Mindanao’s culinary heritage.
- Dishes include traditional flavors and modern presentations.
The event follows last year's Southern Table: Busog Chronicles, where Moreno partnered with renowned chef Josh Boutwood. This year's dinner aims to further elevate the visibility of Southern Mindanao cuisine.
Moreno, who identifies as Tausug and hails from Sulu, expressed his frustration about the lack of representation of Southern Mindanao dishes in Filipino restaurants. This sentiment drives his culinary efforts.
The evening featured a variety of dishes, including chicken skewers marinated in shrimp paste, a lininggil pâté, and the traditional Tausug dish tiyula itum, a black beef soup enriched with burnt coconut.
Culinary Arts as Cultural Narrative
As Tumbale emphasized, the collaboration is not just about food but also about sharing stories through ingredients and flavors. The menu reflects the interconnectedness of the Philippines, highlighting rice and coconut as staple ingredients uniting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
The dessert course, Pulo, represents the archipelago, featuring traditional sweet treats and tropical fruits, symbolizing the cultural tapestry of the country.
The partnership between Moreno and Tumbale illustrates the importance of collaboration in the culinary industry. Moreno noted that their connection began with an outreach on social media, showcasing how modern technology can foster meaningful culinary exchanges.
The Southern Table: Busog Chronicles 2 event was held on September 18 at the Admiral Club Manila Bay. Reservations were encouraged through the hotel’s contact numbers.