Philippine Consulate General in Toronto Kicks Off The 5th Filipino Restaurant Month in Canada Featuring The Iconic Philippine Mango

Toronto, 8 April 2026 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto officially launched the 5th edition of Filipino Restaurant Month (FRMC) in Canada at a press event held on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

Addressing media representatives, food influencers, and some members of the Filipino community in Toronto, Consul General Kristine Leilani R. Salle highlighted the significance of the FRMC as a platform for celebrating Filipino cuisine, culture, and hospitality across Canada. She acknowledged the vital role of Filipino restaurateurs in promoting the country’s rich culinary heritage and creating bridges between the Philippines and Canada, one plate at a time.

This year, 30 restaurants across seven provinces are participating in the campaign, including five outstanding establishments in Toronto: Michelin Bib Gourmand awardee BB’s, Filipino full dine-in service pioneer Casa Manila, the newest concept and only Filipino restaurant from the visionary team behind Pai, Sukothai, Tha Phae Tavern, and Kiin — Makilala, and FRMC regulars Mineral and Mother Tongue.

Consul General Salle announced this year’s featured ingredient — one close to every Filipino’s heart — the Philippine mango. “Distinguished by its signature richness and unmatched sweetness, the Philippine mango is more than a tropical icon; it is our national fruit, a symbol of home and pride that we carry as Filipinos. It is a cornerstone of the country’s export industry, with its smooth, fiberless flesh making it ideal for value-added processing across multiple food and beverage formats”, she said.

Four of the five participating restaurants in Toronto were represented at the event. Chefs Nuit Regular, Phillip Dela Cruz, Mila Nabor-Cuachon, and Justin Bella presented a teaser menu that included Fresh Tuna Kinilaw with Mangoes (Makilala), Sweet and Spicy Mango Shrimp Skewer (Mother Tongue), Chicken Adobo with Mango and Coconut Rice (Casa Manila), and Mango Float (BB’s). The delectable dishes were complemented by Philippine brand Gina Mango Nectar provided by APO Products Ltd / UNO Foods Inc., one of the largest importers/distributors of PH food products in the country. Guests also received a fresh Philippine mango, flown directly from the Philippines by the Consulate, for them to enjoy at home.

A Q&A session followed the presentation, during which guests were able to sample the dishes and the chefs reflected on their respective culinary journeys, offered insights on introducing Filipino cuisine to new audiences, and shared their views on the value of programs like the FRMC in preserving the legacy of Filipino cuisine and mobilizing diaspora support for Filipino restaurants.

Launched in April 2022, the FRMC is the flagship gastrodiplomacy program of the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in Canada, co-organized with the Philippine Departments of Tourism and Trade and Industry, in collaboration with restaurants across Canada. Held every April, the FRMC also coincides with the celebration of Filipino Food Month (FFM), which highlights the richness of Philippine culinary traditions and promotes Filipino cuisine as an essential expression of the country’s cultural identity.