From its hotels and resorts to its convention centers, SM Hotels and Conventions Corp. (SMHCC) connects guests and communities with the places, stories, and flavors that make the Philippines unique. This approach came to life through Culinaire 2026: Flavors of Possibility, an annual culinary showcase presented by SMX Convention Center Manila.
Culinaire 2026 brought together SMX’s accredited caterers and partners to showcase the diverse flavors of the Philippine archipelago. The culinary showcase highlighted regional influences, local ingredients, and Filipino culinary traditions through original creations inspired by destinations represented across the SMX network.
As SMHCC’s convention center business, SMX Convention Center serves as a platform where people, businesses, and diverse groups come together through meaningful events and experiences. Culinaire 2026 expanded on this role by using food to showcase the unique character and cultural flavors represented across SMX’s growing network of venues.
Culinaire 2026 Brings Regional Philippine Flavors to the Table
With the Philippines’ identity as an archipelago as its inspiration, Culinaire 2026 brought together culinary influences from Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Southern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
Each participating caterer was assigned a city represented within the SMX network and challenged to reinterpret its local flavors and culinary heritage through an original creation. The resulting dishes reflected the different destinations represented through the culinary showcase.
Bizu Catering Studio presented Higupin – Poached Duck Egg Penoy for Mandaluyong City, while Hizon’s Restaurant and Catering showcased Davao through Sinuglaw. Juan Carlo The Caterer represented Pasay City with Ginto: Gateway to the Islands (Halo-Halo), while Kitchen City highlighted Clark, Pampanga with Kapampangan Sisig Crisp.
From Taguig, M Catering and Fine Foods prepared Coconut Inutak Brûlée, while Richgold Weddings brought Cebu to the table with its own version of Cebu Lechon. Bacolod was represented by The Creamery Catering through Chicken Inasal Pani Puri, while Tjioe The Caterer Inc. showcased Sta. Rosa, Laguna with Laguna Angus Kulawo.
Via Mare Corporation represented Sto. Tomas, Batangas with Tawilis Fish and Chips with Calamansi Aioli. Complementing the culinary showcase, Event Shaker Mobile Bar and GQ Mobile Bar created beverage experiences inspired by the various cities where SMX operates.
The participating caterers therefore presented a range of culinary creations tied to specific cities within the SMX network. From Mandaluyong City and Pasay City to Clark, Pampanga, Taguig, Cebu, Bacolod, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Culinaire 2026 connected food with the destinations that inspired each creation.
SMX Convention Center Connects Food, Culture, and Destinations
For SMHCC, initiatives such as Culinaire demonstrate how its properties can serve as platforms for connection, collaboration, and destination storytelling.
Beyond accommodating meetings and events, SMX Convention Center provides an avenue for local culture and hospitality to find their way into the guest experience. Through Culinaire 2026, the culinary showcase linked the purpose of the event with the character of the destination.
The event also brought together SMX’s accredited caterers and partners in a setting where creativity and culinary craftsmanship could be showcased. Their creations used regional influences, local ingredients, and Filipino traditions as the foundation for dishes and beverage experiences connected to different cities represented across the SMX network.
“Over the years, Culinaire has become a channel for SMX, its caterer partners, and sponsors to showcase creativity and culinary craftsmanship. Year after year, participating partners transform familiar ingredients, regional influences, and Filipino traditions into distinctive culinary creations that guests can enjoy and remember. We deeply value the partnerships forged through the years and the many ways our partners continue to infuse creativity and flavor into the offerings at SMX,” said Walid Wafik, SMHCC Senior Vice President for Operations.
Wafik’s statement highlights the continuing role of Culinaire as a platform for SMX, its caterer partners, and sponsors. It also underscores the importance of creativity, culinary craftsmanship, regional influences, familiar ingredients, and Filipino traditions within the annual showcase.
Culinaire 2026 further reflected SMHCC’s approach to using its properties as platforms for meaningful experiences. The showcase connected food and hospitality with the destinations represented across the SMX network, giving participating caterers an opportunity to interpret the character of different Philippine communities through their creations.
SMX Network Continues to Expand Across the Philippines
As SMHCC continues to expand its hospitality and MICE portfolio across the country, its properties serve as platforms that showcase the diverse character of the Philippines through events, dining, and other offerings.
SMX’s network spans established venues across Metro Manila, Central Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Alongside these established venues, the network includes upcoming properties such as SMX Seaside Cebu, SMXCITE in Pasay, and the SMX Trade Halls in Cabanatuan, Sta. Rosa, Laguna, and Sto. Tomas, Batangas.
The growing SMX network provides the setting for initiatives that connect people, businesses, and diverse groups through events and experiences. Culinaire 2026 reflected this role by bringing together accredited caterers and partners around a culinary concept inspired by the cities represented within the network.
The showcase also demonstrated how food can provide a way to present regional influences and Filipino culinary traditions. Each participating caterer was assigned a destination and developed an original creation based on its local flavors and culinary heritage.
Culinaire 2026 brought regional influences, local ingredients, and Filipino culinary traditions to the table, drawing inspiration from the destinations represented across the SMX network. In doing so, the showcase offered a closer look at the distinct character of Philippine communities through the lens of food.
Through Culinaire 2026: Flavors of Possibility, SMX Convention Center highlighted the connection between food, destinations, hospitality, and events. The annual culinary showcase brought together SMX’s accredited caterers and partners to present original creations inspired by cities across the Philippines, reflecting SMHCC’s approach of connecting guests and communities with the places, stories, and flavors that make the Philippines unique.
