Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, will welcome food lovers and sustainability advocates this November as the Philippines hosts the inaugural Terra Madre Asia & Pacific (TMAP) from Nov. 19–23. A regional extension of the renowned Terra Madre Salone del Gusto in Turin, Italy, this landmark event, organized by Slow Food, celebrates sustainable, culturally rooted food systems under the theme: “From Soil to Sea: A Slow Food Journey Through Tastes and Traditions.”
TMAP 2025 will gather 2,000 delegates from over 20 countries, including India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Pacific Island nations. Farmers, fishers, chefs, Indigenous leaders, cultural advocates, youth, and academics will converge to share knowledge, celebrate culinary traditions, and explore ways to advance biodiversity and food sustainability in the region.
“This is a turning point for Slow Food in Asia and the Pacific,” said Ramon “Chin Chin” Uy Jr., Slow Food Councilor for Southeast Asia. “Terra Madre Asia & Pacific is where grassroots wisdom shapes policy, tradition sparks innovation, and communities’ experiences influence the global food future.” Paolo Di Croce, General Director of Slow Food, added, “This gathering highlights how food connects people, passes on knowledge, and safeguards the planet for future generations.”
The event transforms Bacolod City into the Center for Sustainable Gastronomy, while Negros Occidental is recognized as the Organic Capital of the Philippines, building on the success of prior Terra Madre Visayas events. TMAP’s programming features thematic areas and immersive experiences including:
- Foodways Exhibition: Showcasing iconic regional staples—rice, spices, soy, and taro—through interactive displays and storytelling.
- Education Pavilion: Hands-on activities for children and adults focused on taste education and biodiversity awareness.
- Slow Food Coffee Coalition: From farm to cup, exploring fair trade and regional coffee traditions.
- House of Slow Food: Introducing Slow Food philosophy and projects in the region.
- Terra Madre Kitchen and Taste Workshops: Chef collaborations, cooking demonstrations, and guided tastings.
- Slow Drinks, Market, and Street Food: Highlighting local ingredients and heritage foods, including Ark of Taste products like heirloom cacao, batuan, kadyos, muscovado sugar, and traditional salts.
- Community Kitchen: Culinary showcases from all 61 barangays of Bacolod, celebrating local heritage and flavors.
TMAP 2025 also features an impressive roster of international and local chefs and mixologists, from Terence Blanchard collaborator Johanne Siy to local stars like Jordy Navarra, Don Colmenares, and Nico Millanes, alongside mixologists from the Philippines, USA, South Korea, and beyond.
Organized in partnership with local governments, national agencies, Slow Food, and community groups, the festival combines education, gastronomy, and culture, positioning Asia and the Pacific at the forefront of the global sustainable food movement.