Glenda Barretto is IFEX food director

Glenda Rosales-Barretto, one of the country's most successful chefs and retaurateurs, will be the food director of this year's International Food Exhibition (IFEX) Philippines to be held May 18-20 at the World Trade Center, Manila.

IFEX, now on its fourth year, showcases the best offerings of the lovcal food industry. It is organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

This year, the festival focuses on "Filipino Food in a Global Setting."

Barretto has been helping CITEM in international food expos where it paticipates, helping exporters develop recipes that can be cooked in other countries.

She suggests that, aside from particpating in trade fairs and local food exhibitions, the government also makes a conscious effort to help food companies put up restaurants in places like Paris, New York, London, or Milan.

She says she is willing to train people who will run those restaurants.

The restaurateur says her dream is for Philippine cuisine to be recognized internationally and for Filipinos to be proud of their unique cuisine.

Barretto owns the Via Mare chain. Its first restaurant in Legazpi Village, Makati that opened in 1975 was the first fine dining seafood restaurant in the country. Via Mare became the caterer of choice for Malacañang food events.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, May 17, 2007, page D1