Savoring Bacolod at MassKaNamit Food Festival

BY JEN BAYLON

BACOLOD City streets once again come alive for the 45th MassKara Festival. This world-class festival promises not just colorful masks and lively street dancing but also a feast for the senses, celebrating the city’s famed culinary delights.

For this year’s edition of MassKara, food enthusiasts have an exciting opportunity to explore the city’s rich gastronomic heritage through a specially curated MassKaNamit Food Festival set from October 12 to 27.

The Bacolod Yuhum Foundation Inc. (BYFI), the festival’s organizer, said the food fest features a food crawl it describes as “a delicious opportunity to savor local delicacies.” Visitors can indulge in iconic dishes such as chicken inasal — grilled marinated chicken known for its smoky flavor and served with garlic rice and vinegar dipping sauce. Alongside this star dish, the city is also famous for its piaya, a sweet flatbread filled with muscovado sugar and sometimes with a hint of sesame seeds, and the comforting kansi, a beef soup that blends savory and slightly sour flavors.

Additionally, food lovers should not miss batchoy, a hearty noodle soup brimming with pork, beef and liver, typically garnished with scallions and served with a rich, flavorful broth. Another local favorite is napoleones, a delectable pastry filled with creamy custard and topped with a sweet glaze, perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

To further help travelers navigate the city’s culinary landscape, the BYFI is distributong food booklets in seaports and airport. This guide features a curated list of restaurants, street food vendors and local delicacies ensuring that foodies can easily find their way to the must-try dishes.

The food fest’s highlight was the MassKaNamit Culinary Showdown held from October 15 to 17 at the SMX Convention Center. This exciting competition attracted participants from various culinary and hospitality management schools across Negros Island. Renowned celebrity chefs served as judges, showcasing their expertise and sharing invaluable insights.

The culinary celebration doesn’t end there. From October 23 to 27, food lovers can enjoy a diverse array of dishes from Bacolod’s favorite restaurants and food stalls at a five-day culinary event hosted by the BYFI at Megaworld’s The Upper East. This gathering promises to showcase the best flavors Bacolod has to offer, with local chefs highlighting their signature dishes and innovative creations.

This MassKara Festival, Bacolod transforms into a culinary paradise, inviting visitors to experience not only its rich history and vibrant culture but also its delectable cuisine. For foodies, this festival is not just a chance to celebrate but a delicious journey through the heart of Bacolod’s culinary landscape. Whether savoring a plate of chicken inasal or indulging in a sweet napoleones, each bite will tell a story of the city’s heritage and hospitality./PN