By Alithea De Jesus
Like it or not, many foreigners see one patented behavior of Filipinos when it comes to food, that Filipinos are no doubt “foodies”. Perhaps, since back in the olden days, many Filipino mothers or wives are homemakers, and this gave them a lot of time to cook for the members of their family which are witnessed by children and then carried on even for the working Moms.
So, there is no doubt that Filipino food is loved the world over, and has been steadily gaining global recognition amongst leading gastronomes. To promote the appreciation and preservation of Filipino culinary heritage domestically and around the globe, the country has celebrated Filipino Food Month every April since 2018 – with this year’s theme being Iba’t Ibang Luto, Pinoy ang Puso (Different Dishes, Pinoy at Heart).
Fun and varied, Filipino cuisine includes a wide plethora of cooking styles, flavors and ingredients across different provinces and regions. That’s why Airbnb Online Experience Hosts Ai and Michelle and Sébastien decided to open their kitchens to the world virtually – to share their culinary passion and skills with a unique twist on Pinoy cooking. Whether you are an avid foodie or chef wannabe, based in the Philippines or overseas, you can now join in the fun with Airbnb Online Cooking Experiences from the comfort of your very own kitchen.
A Pan of Good Food and a Pinch of History
Growing up in a household where cooking Lumpiang Shanghai and Adobong Manok was child’s play inspired Ai Magno to seek a career in the kitchen. Now a 30-year-old home cook and Airbnb Host, Ai shares her passion for Filipino food with guests around the world through her interactive Philippines, Food, Drinks, History Online Experience.
Ai specializes in Filipino feast staples such as kare-kare, sisig and sinigang, as well as traditional sweet treats of halo-halo and leche flan. After a guest makes an Experience booking, she shares a list of ingredients to prepare and tips on where they can procure them. During the Experience, she supplements her guests’ appreciation of the different Filipino dishes they prepare by sharing the history and cultural roots of each dish.
“Filipino food is the ultimate fusion food. Thousands of years in the making, it was prepared by our Malay ancestors, sautéed by the Chinese, stewed by the Spanish, grilled by the Americans and enjoyed by the modern Filipinos. It should be shared around the world for others to enjoy,” shared Ai.
Filipino Cuisine with a French Twist
A behind-the-scenes look of Airbnb’s culinary Host couple Michelle and Sébastien as they impart their cooking how-tos
Michelle Africa, a Filipina sous chef, lawyer and educator, and Sébastien Chamaret, a seasoned chef who worked in top French restaurants in Paris and New York for more than 20 years, found their home and settled down in Puerto Galera. Their one-of-a-kind Filipino Cooking with a French Flair Online Cooking Experience brings guests on a cultural journey unlike any other – combining traditional Pinoy recipes of adobo, lumpia and pancit with delightful Filipino hospitality and a unique French twist.
Michelle and Sebastien’s popular Experience holds a rating of 4.88 out of 5, with over 40 positive reviews from guests globally. “Thanks for a great evening learning to cook something brand new to me. You were very patient! It was a great way to celebrate a friend’s birthday during this pandemic. I wish we could have met you in person,” shared Sherri, one of their guests from San Diego.
Digital Kitchens Open to The World
Airbnb Online Experiences connect the global community to handcrafted activities in cities around the world, providing a new way for people to connect, travel virtually and earn income during the COVID-19 crisis.
“Airbnb Online Experiences is for everyone who wants to share their passion and interact with people from all over the world, allowing them to build meaningful connections, pursue similar interests, and travel virtually from the comfort and safety of home,” shares Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Filipinos Hosts like Ai, Michelle and Sebastien are sharing their kitchens and love for Filipino food with the world, one Experience at a time. To explore more exciting Online Experiences, search http://www.airbnb.com/experiences. To find out more about hosting with Airbnb, get started at http://www.airbnb.com/host.