Samar Culinary Book Series Earns Global Acclaim
TACLOBAN CITY — A remarkable culinary book series showcasing the rich flavors, traditions, and untold stories of Samar province has won international awards. The Secret Kitchens of Samar, a five-volume cultural and culinary collection, earned two prestigious honors: Best Book Series in the World and Best Regional Book in the World at the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards 2025. This event took place from June 18 to 20 at the Estoril Convention Center in Lisbon, Portugal, local officials noted on social media.
Celebrating excellence in food and drink publishing worldwide since 1995, the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards are often called the “Oscars of the culinary book world.” The competition welcomes authors and publishers from all languages and countries, with entries from over 200 nations annually. This year, The Secret Kitchens of Samar was the sole Philippine winner, highlighting the growing global respect for regional Filipino cuisine and heritage.
Celebrating Local Heritage and Community Pride
“This victory is not just for Samar, but for every local cook, weaver, farmer, and family whose stories and flavors are woven into these pages,” said Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan, who accepted the awards in Lisbon alongside the book’s author, Clang Garcia. More than a cookbook, the series acts as a cultural time capsule, capturing food as a vessel for memory, heritage, and identity — especially in areas often overlooked by mainstream narratives.
The project also emphasizes how food tourism can empower local economies and foster cultural pride. The series was developed with support from the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines and technical help from the Department of Tourism – Eastern Visayas. It reflects extensive research and collaboration with Samar’s communities, spotlighting heirloom recipes, indigenous ingredients, and unique cooking methods that define the province’s culinary character.
The Making of The Secret Kitchens of Samar
In 2022, the provincial government commissioned Clang Garcia, a tourism advocate and World Food Travel Association ambassador, to create The Secret Kitchens of Samar. This initiative supports the Spark Samar tourism campaign, which promotes slow food tourism and preserves cultural heritage. Launched in 2023, the project involved thorough fieldwork throughout Samar’s towns. Garcia documented traditional recipes, cooking techniques, and the stories of farmers, cooks, and artisans, local leaders said.
Garcia described receiving international recognition as a deeply personal achievement. “It was a moving moment to receive a special award recognizing the depth of my contribution to Philippine gastronomy tourism—something I never received in my own country,” she shared. Gourmand Awards founder Edouard Cointreau praised Garcia’s work for preserving Samar’s culinary legacy and elevating Filipino food tourism globally.
“Her work not only preserves Samar’s unique gastronomy but also celebrates the heart and soul of its communities through stories, recipes, and cultural traditions,” he remarked during the award ceremony. This honor underscores the powerful role of cultural storytelling and food in connecting people and promoting regional pride.
For more news and updates on Samar culinary book series, visit Filipinokami.com.