Manila, April 18 -- Philippine food diplomacy is making a mark in Canada as Filipino street food took center stage and bagged a culinary win in Ottawa this week.

The Philippine Embassy in Canada, represented by Filipino chef David Vinoya and Chef Jan Michael Co, won the Judges' Award at the 2026 YMCA Embassy Chef Showcase held in the Canadian capital on April 16.

The Philippines put a spotlight on "Kanto" or street corner-themed Filipino cuisine, offering judges a curated selection of Filipino favorites from beef tapa barbecue, chicken inasal barbecue, longganisa barbecue, pork barbecue and achara (pickled papaya) - collectively presented as "D' Original Mang David's BBQ."

"We did not only want Ottawa to get a taste of Philippine stre...