Philippines: Tourism department to conduct Halal food-handling seminar Category: Events, Home, Industry News UK & World

3/9/12 www.sunstar.com.ph

MABALACAT — The Department of Tourism (DOT) – Central Luzon is set to conduct its first of a series of seminars and workshops on preparation and handling of Halal food on September 17.

DOT-Central Luzon director Ronnie P. Tiotuico said they extended an invitation to hotel and restaurant managers and chefs to the workshops which will be held between 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Marlim Mansions Hotel, Diamond Subd., Balibago, Angeles City.

Tiotuico said the seminar will equip stakeholders in the food service and hospitality industry with basic working knowledge on the general guidelines in the preparation and handling of halal food.

“At the same time, it will also prepare the industry for an anticipated exponential increase in visitor arrivals from generally Muslim countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, and the Middle East via Clark International Airport,” Tiotuico said.

“DoT is taking part in the national effort to develop the halal industry as a potential growth area for development due to the increasing presence of Muslim-Filipinos in this part of the region,” he added.

The Asean Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry stated that Halal or Muslim Food does not contain any ingredients or products of animals that were slaughtered based on the Shariah Law.

Adam Idrus Bunajos, a muslim chef/cook and restaurant operations manager from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, has volunteered and will talk about Halal food preparations, according to Tiotuico.

A registration fee of P400 per participant will be required to cover the cost of an early lunch plus certificate of attendance. Handouts will be sent through email.

This project is jointly sponsored by the Hotel and Restaurants in Pampanga (Harp) led by its President Susan Manansala of Euroasia Hotel and the Angeles City Tourism Office led by the City Tourism Officer Christine Nunag.

Interested participants are advised to text their full name and establishment to mobile numbers 0939-904-5231 or 0917-506-2221.

Registration is on first-come-first-serve basis. Priority shall be granted to DoT-accredited establishments, Tiotuico said.

Published in the Sun.Star Pampanga newspaper on September 04, 2012.