Lasa ng Imperyo/A Taste of Empire - Lasa Ng Imperyo/Taste of Empire
October 9-19, 2025
Presentation House Theatre
333 Chesterfield Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3G9
Superstar of the culinary world, Master Chef Maximo Cortés is offering an exclusive demonstration, sharing the secrets of his trademarked Imperial Cuisine cooking techniques with you, his lucky, elite guests! Or at least, he would have, if he had shown up.
Luckily, the witty and intrepid Sous-Chef Mela is here to save the day! Her task? To cook rellenong bangus, or stuffed milkfish, a dish whose intricate preparation process takes its roots from the country's culinary traditions and colonial past. In a surprising fusion of theatre and gastronomy, this live cooking demonstration pairs the harsh truths of a global food system with shocking humour. Performed in Tagalog with English surtitles, this show guides audiences across the layered history of Philippine cultural heritage through a live cooking demonstration.
This adaptation of Jovanni Sy's A Taste of Empire reimagines this acclaimed play through a fresh female perspective. As the dish is brought to life, so too are the stories embedded within its ingredients.
Food will be served. Contact 604-990-3473 if you have allergy concerns.
Ages: 14+
A rice & beans theatre Production
Presented by Presentation House Theatre
With Community Partners Kasama Chocolate and NPC3
Translated and performed by Carmela Sison in Tagalog with English surtitles.
Ang superstar ng mundo ng kulinariya, si Sir Chef Maximo Cortés, ay dapat sanang magbahagi ng kanyang sikretong teknik sa pagluluto ng Imperial Cuisine sa isang eksklusibong demo para sa inyong mga maswerteng piling panauhin. Ito sana ang kanyang gagawin kung siya ay sumipot.
Buti na lang narito si Chef Mela. Matalino, matapang, at handang sagipin ang araw. Ang kanyang misyon? Magluto ng rellenong bangus, isang putaheng may komplikadong proseso at malalim na pinagmulan mula sa tradisyunal at kolonyal na kasaysayan ng Pilipinas. Sa isang kakaibang pagsasanib ng teatro at gastronomiya, ihahatid ng live na cooking show na ito ang mga mapapait na katotohanan tungkol sa pandaigdigang sistema ng pagkain, na may halong nakakalokang katatawanan. Itatanghal ito sa Tagalog na may Ingles na surtitles. Gagabayan ng palabas ang mga manonood sa patong-patong na kasaysayan ng kulturang Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng isang live na demonstrasyon ng pagluluto.
Ang adaptasyong ito ng A Taste of Empire ni Jovanni Sy ay muling binibigyang-hugis ang kilalang dula mula sa sariwang pananaw ng isang babae. Habang niluluto ang putahe, unti-unting bubuhayin ang mga kuwentong nakapaloob sa bawat sangkap.