Why a Pampangueño knows how to cook delicious food?

"Hi! Where are you from?"
"I'm from Pampanga!"
"Then, you're good at cooking, right?"

There is a common saying that "if you are from Pampanga, you know how to cook."
And when we say that, it means that you cook delicious food. Pampanga was tagged as "Culinary Capital of the Philippines". And there are lots of delicious cuisine and delicacies that you can find in Pampanga. This place was also featured in lot the tv programs. There are also lot of blogs regarding Pampanga. But, what is the reason why Pampangueños are good at cooking?

My mom is my best cook in my hometown in Pampanga. Her spaghetti was loved by our guest whenever we invited them on a birthday celebration. I still remembered that my Mom was invited by my cousin just to cook on her daughters birthday.

"Tinola" is the first dish that I learned to cook. I can still remember how she taught me how to sauteed the ingredients and carefully observed everything until it cooked. She told me that I must learn how to choose the best and fresh ingredients whenever I cook. After we sauteed, we put the chicken and poured the fish sauce and let it simmer for a minute. She also advised me that in every minute, ingredients will come out and put taste on the food the you cook.

This things are what I still remembers whenever I cook food. I learned to pick the fresh ingredients when I buy in the market. Preferably, I choose the best quality. I know which part of the meat that suits best in my dishes. I am meticulous on every dishes that I cook. Not only on the preparation, but most importantly on the taste of the food.

I was also once asked by my friend to cook a "Ginataang Alimasag" for her girlfriend. I told him to visit my house and I helped him. When he arrived, We went to the market then bought what we needed.

I've already learned a lot of dishes, and in my curiousity. I also learned how to cook southern and northern food like, Pinakbet, Laing, and also Bicol Express.

Pampangueños made it for sure that they put their best on their dishes. You may heard sometimes that, instead of using salt, they use fish sauce as a replacement. And some, instead of using cooking oil, they upgrade it with butter.

I made it sure that I gave my best in cooking. Tinola for me is just a piece of cake. And whenever my friends asked me to cook food for them. I always say yes. And luckily I married a pure Pampangueño and knows how to cook as well. Which she also learned from her mother.

So, this must be a generation that lives in a Pampangueño. Parents left legacy to their children. Common practices and advises were passed from ancestors to the little ones. Superb cuisine is what a Pampangueño will offers, whenever you visit their house.

So if you met a Pampangueño, just simply ask, "Maybe, you know how to cook food?!"