Barangay means “neighborhood” in Tagalog, and in the Philippines, a country of more than 7,000 islands, barangay festivals are a kind of block party.
“Every neighborhood, every barangay has its own characteristics,” says Jamilin Salonga Bailey, co-owner of Kaya. “And we’ll get it at the end of January. This weekend, January 25th and 26th, will be the third time.”
She explains that in the Catholic-majority Philippines, barangay festivals are often based on the neighborhood’s patron saint. “All the people who live there come together to party and eat and drink. There’s usually a procession of saints. They dress up. They dance.”
But at this award-winning, James Beard Award-nominated Orlando restaurant, Barangay Fest’s focus is on what most Kaya events seek to emphasize: community.
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“We will be hosting Filipino and other local food vendors and retailers to take this opportunity to showcase all that is growing here in town. We will be adding some new elements this year, so I’m even more excited.”
An adobo cook-off will be held on Saturday.
Seven local restaurants and chefs will wow the palates of a team of professional judges and compete for audience favorites, creating adobo-inspired dishes that speak to both tradition and creative evolution.
This dish doesn’t have to be your grandmother’s adobo, Bailey says. She is quick to point out that even in the Philippines, no two grandmothers make exactly the same things. It is enough that the dish contains some form of Filipino adobo – vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns and salt.
“When we talk about adobo in restaurants, we tell people there are so many regional and family varieties. So many islands, so many people. “It’s going to get better!” she laughs. “They’re all different, and we think this is a great way to introduce the diversity of Filipino cuisine to the world. There’s more than one Filipino cuisine, and adobo is no different.”
Admission to the festival is free and many local stalls will be selling food. Guests who want to sample Adobo products and decide who wins the People’s Choice Award can purchase a $50 Judges Pass (exploreock.com/kaya/event/527799/adobo-cookoff-judges-pass). Masu. Savor all seven participants’ creations, plus adobo-inspired desserts by Sampaguita and drinks from Kaya’s Bayani Bar.
This year, Black Magic Pizza, Burrito Boys, Chef in the Streets, Hapa Haro Street Food, Palm Beach Meats, Red Panda Noodles and Smokemaid Meats will be participating.
“They’re a little secretive[about what they’re making]which is kind of cute,” Bailey said. She will be joining the judges along with cookbook author Pam Brandon, Kaya chef and owner Rodfur Larlikon, and Kaya chef and owner Rodfur Larlikon. , perhaps the scariest of all is Bailey’s mother.
“I had to get Auntie in there!”
The second day of the festival (also from 1pm to 5pm) will feature a collaboration with Lucky Cat Mini Mart, featuring over 40 food and retail vendors, children’s activities, live music on the festival stage, UCF Filipinos will perform Philippine cultural dances and more. Student council and DJ. For local foodie geeks looking for an excuse to go both days, or for those who can’t make it on Saturday but are looking for a reason to shoot on Sunday, local favorites Kaya, Sampaguita, Palm Beach Meats, and Red Light “Kayabee” collaboration with Red Light will be held.
Spaghetti is a typical sweet and delicious food in the Philippines.
“The four of us will be introducing dishes inspired by Jollibee,” said Bailey, referring to the world’s most famous Filipino fast food restaurant, which enjoys a cult following among its many fans. “Kaya will make our spaghetti.”
Also in the can (literally) is the new Redlight Redlight x Kaya collaboration, Peach Mango Kaibigan. It uses the Tagalog word for “friend” while evoking Kayabee’s famous peach mango pie.
According to Bailey, the festival has grown over the years and more friends have come to participate, much to the joy of the Kaya team.
“We’re collaborating more and bringing more people into the mix, which is fun because that’s what’s important.”
Want to lend a hand? Find me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Email: amthompson@orlandosentinel.com. For more fun, join our Let’s Eat, Orlando Facebook group or follow @fun.things.orlando on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
If you go
Adobo Cook-off: January 25th from 1-5pm Kaya Courtyard. Participation is free. However, tickets to vote and sample are $50.
Barangay Neighborhood Festival: January 26th from 1pm to 5pm at Kaya, 618 N. Thornton Ave., Orlando. Free, kayaorlando.com
