CAGAYAN DE ORO — The recent Big Bite food festival at Ayala Malls Centrio successfully showcased 88 curated food entrepreneurs, highlighting the evolving and diverse flavors of Cagayan de Oro. The event featured a mix of international cuisines and local innovations, with participants like Smoke Rings—a smokehouse from Claveria—gaining significant attention for their rapid sell-out of smoked Angus brisket. This festival continues to serve as a vital testing ground for small-scale food brands, with many participants leveraging the platform to secure permanent locations in the city's commercial hubs.
Innovative local entrepreneurs capture hearts with creative food concepts
Festival standouts included "Casa Chulapa," which introduced a fresh take on tacos, and "Hello Elote," a playful street-snack vendor that charmed crowds with corn cobs dusted in crushed Doritos. The festival’s recognition program awarded "Pagmaya" the Golden Spoon for its viral Dubai Chocolate Cookie, illustrating the city's growing affinity for global culinary trends. Such platforms allow hidden gems to emerge from the highlands and neighboring towns to reach a broader urban audience.
Platform creates pathways for small businesses to reach expansion
Ayala Malls Centrio utilizes the Big Bite event to identify and mentor brands that demonstrate the potential for permanent mall operations. For example, Sourdough by Psy, which debuted at a previous festival, now operates a successful permanent stall, proving the efficacy of this growth pipeline. These consistent opportunities foster a robust local food scene that is constantly refreshing itself with new products and ambitious entrepreneurs.
