WATCH: Spanish chef to launch sisig à la madrilène

Rosette Adel (Philstar.com) – September 26, 2019 – 12:30 p.m.

MANILA, Philippines – Imagine your sisig had a Spanish touch – this is what Madrid chef Ivan Fernandez plans to create.

Fernandez, who just moved to the Philippines last July to run “sexy” tapas bar Tomatito, said he plans to add a Filipino touch to the Spanish bar by creating different versions of Filipino dishes.

“Really, I can’t do a hundred percent Spanish here. If I were 100 percent Spanish the restaurant would be empty just because we’re so different, ”said the 30-year-old chef. Philstar.com.

He said one of the Filipino dishes to introduce is the Madrid-style sisig, which is expected to launch in November.

The new chef ensured Filipino diners could expect Kapampangan’s famous sisig to be very spicy.

He explained that since arriving in the country, he travels and eats to be inspired by the Filipino dishes he tries. He said he has so far visited Cebu, Palawan and other tourist destinations in Luzon.

“I’m still learning Filipino cuisine… I love trying new dishes. Everything I have tried so far has been good, ”he said.

While running Tomatito’s altered menu, Fernandez attributes the food that delights the Filipino palate to his all-Filipino team who he says helped inform him of what would work for local diners.

“It’s a team effort. And I think overall it works. If you enjoyed (the food), it’s because of them, ”Fernandez guaranteed.