Mercato Centrale experience now in Pampanga

Pampanga foodies unite! The Mercato Centrale Group, organizer of the popular night food markets in Metro Manila, formally opens Cocina Centrale today at the Marquee Park of Ayala's Marquee Mall in Angeles City, Pampanga. It will be open every Friday and Saturday starting July 5 from 4pm to 3am.

"This is our first food market outside of Metro Manila, and we felt the most ideal place where we could share the Mercato Centrale experience was with the foodies of Pampanga. The great tradition of cooking in this part of the country means that we have to 'level up' when it comes to the quality of our gourmet and artisinal vendors, so that the food satisfies the discerning taste buds of Kapampangans," said RJ Ledesma, co-founder of the Mercato Centrale Group.

Cocina Centrale will be a culinary showdown where an eclectic mix of food entrepreneurs from both Manila and Pampanga offer great-tasting home-cooked food and delicacies.

"For Pampaguenos, they will get to sample the popular and best-selling food vendors from the Mercato Centrale markets in Manila. Meanwhile, Manilenos will get to try out the best dishes that Pampanga and the other Northern provinces have to offer. And the winner will be our waistlines!, added Ledesma.

The success of Mercato-managed markets in Manila have proudly come from Kapampangan chefs whose dishes have been huge crowd drawers, like Chef Sau del Rosario's Paella from Villa Cafe and Chef Claude Tayag's Pan de Bagnet from Bale Dutung.

"We look forward to surfacing a lot of unique, innovative and great-tasting dishes from Pampagueno food entrepreneurs whom we would like to invite to eventually join our Manila-based markets. The Mercato Centrale experience here will be both uniquely Mercato and uniquely Pampanga at the same time, " said Ledesma.

The Mercato Centrale Group is the successful events group behind Metro Manila's premier food and lifestyle night weekend markets that include Midnight Mercato in Bonifacio Global City; Cucina Andare at Glorietta Park, Makati; Mezza Norte at Trinoma Mall, Quezon City; and Levante in Eastwood City, Libis, also in Quezon City.

Mercato Centrale has a relaxed and jovial atmosphere for families, friends, classmates, officemates, balikbayans and tourists to hang out, bond, listen to live music and create a new experiences while enjoying great food choices in unique salo-salo style. On top of that, Mercato Centrale has become the go-to place for food enthusiasts looking for the 'next big thing' in food.

The founders were inspired by the vibrant night food markets of Asian neighbors Singapore, Thailand, Hongkong and Taiwan. They are not only destination markets but tourists attractions as well. They wanted to bring that exciting 'street food' vibe and culture to the Philippines, and give it a uniquely Pinoy spin.

All food vendors undergo a taste test by the Mercato Centrale Group. Vendors are chosen based on flavour, innovation and uniqueness.

"We're proud to have helped a number of our food vendors create their own niche in the local food industry. Among those who have emerged are Manang's Chicken, Mochiko, Chuck's Grubberie, Mio Gelati, Spring by Ha Yuan, Merry Moo, Inutak. Zen Taclings, Eat My Garlic Fries and a lot more," added Ledesma.

For those interested to become food vendors of any Mercato Centrale Group's food markets, please email, admin@mercatocentrale.ph or text (+63)9178401152.