1 day ago
4
Bacolod City will once again take center stage in the global food and sustainable gastronomy movement after being named host of Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027.
Bacolod City Named Host of Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027
The announcement was made during the opening of the Philippine booth at Terra Madre Salone del Gusto 2026 in Turin, Italy, on September 24. Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javier Miguel Benitez formally announced the hosting, with the Department of Tourism also confirming the development.
The 2027 edition will mark Terra Madre Asia Pacific’s return to the Philippines, following Bacolod’s hosting of the inaugural regional gathering in 2025.
Bacolod Returns to the Terra Madre Stage
Bacolod’s selection builds on the city’s growing role in the Slow Food movement and its long-standing connection with sustainable agriculture, local food communities, and Negros’ culinary heritage.
The first Terra Madre Asia Pacific was held in Bacolod from November 19 to 23, 2025. The event brought together farmers, fisherfolk, cooks, chefs, Indigenous leaders, researchers, youth, food producers, and cultural advocates from across the region.
The 2025 event also featured a Slow Food Market, coffee programs, Slow Drinks, taste workshops, conferences, and discussions focused on food biodiversity and sustainable food systems.
According to the Philippine News Agency, the 2025 gathering attracted around 75,000 visitors and generated approximately PHP 46.59 million.
Why Bacolod Is a Natural Host
Bacolod’s connection with Terra Madre goes beyond hosting an international event.
The city and neighboring Negros communities have developed a strong Slow Food network focused on protecting local food traditions, supporting producers, and promoting biodiversity.
Bacolod has also been recognized as an important hub for the Slow Food movement in the Asia Pacific region. The city’s involvement reflects its growing role in promoting sustainable gastronomy and local food communities.
The city’s food identity also gives the event a strong local foundation. Negros is known for its agricultural communities, sugar industry, heritage food, organic farming initiatives, and diverse ingredients.
This combination allows Terra Madre to connect international discussions about food systems with actual farmers, producers, chefs, and communities on the ground.
A Platform for Filipino Food Heritage
Terra Madre Asia Pacific provides an international platform for Filipino food producers and communities to share their products, traditions, and stories.
The event focuses on good, clean, and fair food, with emphasis on food biodiversity, environmental responsibility, cultural heritage, and the welfare of food producers.
For the Philippines, the gathering also creates opportunities to highlight regional cuisines and ingredients that rarely receive international attention.
Farmers, fisherfolk, Indigenous communities, artisans, chefs, and small food enterprises can become important participants in conversations about how food is produced, preserved, prepared, and consumed.
Tourism Opportunities for Bacolod and Negros
The return of Terra Madre also strengthens Bacolod’s position as a food tourism destination.
The Department of Tourism has described the event as an opportunity for the Philippines to strengthen its presence on the global gastronomy stage and position food and culinary heritage as important pillars of tourism.
For travelers, this could translate into greater interest in Bacolod’s food culture, Negros’ agricultural communities, local markets, heritage products, restaurants, and culinary experiences.
The event can also encourage visitors to explore destinations beyond the main festival venues, including communities and producers across Negros.
Building on the 2025 Experience
The 2027 hosting comes with an existing foundation.
Bacolod and its partners already gained experience from staging the first Terra Madre Asia Pacific in 2025. The previous event demonstrated the city’s capacity to bring together local communities, government agencies, international organizations, chefs, producers, and food advocates.
The 2027 edition gives Bacolod another opportunity to expand conversations on sustainable food systems while providing Philippine food communities with an international platform.
What to Expect From Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027
Specific dates, venues, and the complete program for Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027 have yet to be announced.
Based on the 2025 edition, travelers and food enthusiasts can expect the event to potentially feature food producers, culinary demonstrations, markets, workshops, discussions, cultural activities, and opportunities to discover regional ingredients and food traditions.
More importantly, Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027 will bring together people working across the food system, from farmers and fisherfolk to chefs, researchers, entrepreneurs, Indigenous communities, and consumers.
For Bacolod, the hosting reinforces the city’s growing reputation as an important destination for food, culture, and sustainable gastronomy in the Philippines.
FAQ
What is Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027?
Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027 is a regional gathering focused on food biodiversity, sustainable gastronomy, food heritage, and sustainable food systems. Bacolod City has been named host of the 2027 edition, following the inaugural Terra Madre Asia Pacific held in the city in 2025. The event brings together farmers, fisherfolk, chefs, food producers, Indigenous communities, researchers, and other participants involved in the food system.
When will Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027 be held?
The latest announcement confirms Bacolod City as the host of Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027, but specific dates for the 2027 edition have not yet been announced. The inaugural 2025 edition was held from November 19 to 23. Travelers planning to visit Bacolod specifically for the 2027 event should wait for official announcements regarding the schedule, venues, registration, and program.
Why was Bacolod City chosen to host Terra Madre Asia Pacific?
Bacolod has an established connection with the Slow Food movement and has previously hosted Terra Madre Visayas events. The city also hosted the inaugural Terra Madre Asia Pacific in 2025. Its food culture, agricultural connections, local producers, and experience organizing gastronomy-focused events provide a strong foundation for an international gathering focused on sustainable food systems.
What happened during Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2025?
The inaugural Terra Madre Asia Pacific took place in Bacolod in November 2025. It featured farmers, fishers, chefs, cooks, youth, Indigenous leaders, researchers, and food communities. Activities included the Slow Food Market, coffee programs, Slow Drinks, taste workshops, and conferences. The event attracted about 75,000 visitors and generated approximately PHP 46.59 million, according to the Philippine News Agency.
What does Terra Madre promote?
Terra Madre promotes food systems centered on the principles of good, clean, and fair food. The movement supports food biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, local food cultures, and stronger connections between consumers and food producers. Its activities also provide platforms for farmers, Indigenous communities, artisans, chefs, researchers, and other food-system participants to share knowledge and discuss ways to protect food heritage.
What does Terra Madre Asia Pacific mean for Bacolod tourism?
Hosting Terra Madre Asia Pacific gives Bacolod an opportunity to strengthen its position as a food and culinary tourism destination. International visitors attending the event can discover Bacolod’s restaurants, local products, heritage food, markets, and nearby destinations in Negros. The event can also create opportunities for local producers and communities to showcase their products and food traditions to visitors from the Philippines and other parts of the Asia-Pacific.
Will Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027 feature Filipino food?
Filipino food and food heritage are expected to be important elements of the event, given Terra Madre’s focus on local food cultures, biodiversity, producers, and sustainable food systems. The 2025 edition featured Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, chefs, Indigenous communities, and artisanal producers. The Philippines also continues to promote its diverse regional food traditions through international gastronomy events.
Why is Negros important to the Slow Food movement?
Negros has developed a strong community around agriculture, local food production, culinary heritage, and sustainable food practices. Bacolod has hosted Terra Madre Visayas events and became the venue for the inaugural Terra Madre Asia Pacific. The region’s agricultural communities provide a direct connection between food production and the principles promoted by Slow Food, including biodiversity, environmental responsibility, and support for food producers.
Is Terra Madre Asia Pacific only for chefs and food professionals?
No. Terra Madre brings together different parts of the food system. Farmers, fisherfolk, Indigenous communities, artisans, consumers, researchers, chefs, young people, and food advocates can all participate in the broader movement. The 2025 Bacolod edition brought together participants from various sectors, making the event relevant to travelers and consumers seeking to learn more about local food traditions and sustainable food production.
What can travelers do in Bacolod during Terra Madre Asia Pacific 2027?
Travelers can combine the event with a broader food itinerary across Bacolod and Negros. Depending on the final 2027 program, visitors may be able to attend Terra Madre activities while exploring local restaurants, markets, heritage attractions, cafés, and food producers. Travelers can also consider extending their trip to other destinations in Negros. Official event dates, venues, participating communities, and activities should be checked once organizers release the complete 2027 program.
Follow and subscribe to OutofTownBlog.com on Facebook , Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more Travel-related updates.
Read:
English (US) · 
French (CA) ·