ONE sunny morning in New York, I found myself standing in front of Kalye, when someone asked: 'What is Kalye, and what is Filipino food like.' As we know, food is an expression of cultural identity. And in the past few years, Filipino food has been gaining attention internationally. Anthony Bourdain, celebrity chef and author, once called Filipino food the 'next best thing.'

Countries embrace culinary diplomacy, or gastro-diplomacy, a type of cultural diplomacy to promote a country's image positively and as a strategy to influence people. As the saying goes, 'The easiest way to win hearts and minds is through the stomach.'