This April, Marco Polo Davao cooks up delicious partnerships with Davao’s top three institutions of culinary arts: Institute of International Culinary and Hospitality Entrepreneurship (I-Chef), Metropolitan Occupational Science and Technology (MOST) Institute, and the Center for Asian Culinary Studies (CACS).

The hotel opens its kitchens to three teams of student chefs starting 12 April. Each team designs seven different intercontinental lunch menus, including appetizer, main entrée, and dessert, which they shall prepare and plate. These special lunches are served daily until 30 April at Polo Bistro for only Php 500 net per person.

“This Culinary School Showcase is a celebration of youthful flavors,” says Executive Chef Ed Tuazon, the hotel’s multi-awarded chef. Tuazon leads other Marco Polo chefs and team supervisors in guiding the students in this gastronomic event at Polo Bistro, one of Davao’s finest.

In addition, the event is a platform for these world-class culinary schools to showcase their skills and specialties. From 13 to 16 April, guest chefs shall be from MOST Institute.

From 19 to 23 April, chef hopefuls shall be from CACS. From 26 to 29 April, I-Chef students shall put their best dishes forward. All three school teams shall work together on the lunch set menu on 12 April, the opening day.

“This exciting partnership offers student chefs an opportunity to blend textbook learning with real-world experience,“ explains Marco Polo general manager Nigel Fisher. “It promises to be something both the schools and the hotel can take pride in,” Fisher adds.

The hotel is a strong supporter of student learning and professional growth in Mindanao. Marco Polo Davao collaborates with other schools by making available around 40 internship opportunities per quarter. These management and operations internships provide on-the-job experience for students preparing to join the global hotel and restaurant workforce.