Advisories & News

Press Release

Islas Filipino BBQ & Bar Joins the Filipino Restaurant Month 2022

2022-04-25

PR-24-2022

Toronto, 16 April – The Philippine Consulate General visited the Islas Filipino BBQ & Bar at Queen Street West in Toronto, together with members of media to get to know more about what inspired its Filipino food creations and how they got started. Chef-Owner Mark Buenaventura shared with Philippine Consul General Orontes V. Castro that the dishes in Islas’ menu, including its current prix fixe offerings for the FRM 2022, are largely influenced by the food he enjoyed during his travels throughout the Philippines, his food memories from childhood and how family members cooked the Filipino dishes they shared during family gatherings and even ordinary days. As an example, his FRM 2022 prix fixe main dish of chicken adobo is served with egg, silog-style, similar to how his father would serve the dish.

ISLAS
(L-R) Chef-Owner Mark Buenaventura and wife Ms. Mariel Buenaventura, Philippine Consul General Orontes V. Castro, Ms. Michelle Ramos of The Filipino Reporter, Mr. Federico Ramos of the Children’s Education Funds and (bottom) Consul Mary Grace Villamayor.

ISLAS
(L-R) Chef-Owner Mark Buenaventura being interviewed by OMNI for the FRM 2022; the cozy and modern interiors of Islas Filipino BBQ & Bar.

Chef Mark recounted that both he and his wife, Mariel Buenaventura, started in the finance and marketing industry, but the idea of opening a restaurant was something they were able to follow-through once it germinated. Their business background and love for the food dining experience produced Islas Filipino BBQ & Bar that has an upbeat vibe and hip food presentation that is enjoyed by its dining public comprising mostly of local Canadians.

ISLAS
(L-R) FRM 2022 prix fixe menu of Kare-Kare Bagnet and Chicken Adobo, both served with rice, lumpia starter and a choice of karioka or turon with ice cream for dessert ; facade of Islas Filipino BBQ & Bar, with the FRM 2022 posters showing the names of the different restaurant participants prominently displayed.
Having no previous food industry background, they saw the value of networking with like-minded individuals and are actively engaging with relevant organizations. Chef Mark and Ms. Mariel Buenaventura hope that FRM 2022 become a yearly project that would unite and strengthen Filipino enterprises in the food and restaurant industry in Canada. They hope that not only the marketing and promotion gets a focus, but the sourcing and importation of ingredients from the Philippines be facilitated as well. END—

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