Filipino Food Month Kicks Off in Vienna Showcasing Filipino Artisanal Brands

The Philippine Embassy in Austria officially launched Filipino Food Month 2025 with “Coffee in Good Spirits” event, a collaborative cultural and culinary event held at Gota Coffee Experts, a specialty coffee shop in Vienna (the City of Coffee) known for championing origin-based brews and cross-cultural experiences.

This marks the second year of partnership between the Embassy and Gota Coffee, following the success of last year’s showcase, which introduced Vienna’s coffee enthusiasts to the robust, nuanced flavors of Philippine barako and Mindanao-grown beans. Since then, Gota Coffee—co-founded by Markus Brun, the 2022 Austrian Coffee in Good Spirits (CIGS) Champion—has continued to build momentum in Vienna’s specialty scene, hosting regular cuppings, barista trainings, and international collaborations. Over the past year, they have become a vital platform for introducing lesser-known coffee origins to European palates, including those from the Philippines.

 

This year’s launch event took things a step further by blending Philippine single-origin coffee with craft spirits in two carefully designed cocktails. Brun was joined behind the bar by Charlène Cabioch, the 2021 and 2023 French CIGS Champion, to present drinks that not only highlighted Filipino ingredients but also offered a modern take on nostalgic flavors.

“We want to show how Philippine specialty coffee can taste when it is grown, roasted and brewed with care,” said Philippine Ambassador to Austria Evangelina Arroyo-Bernas in her opening remarks in German. She also thanked Brun for the continuing collaboration and highlighted that Gota Coffee is not only the best in Europe but the world.

One standout cocktail, inspired by the beloved Filipino snack turon, featured Very Old Captain artisan-crafted dark rum from Destileria Limtuaco, cold brew made from Wide Awake PH’s Mt. Apo Lactic Honey, and a rich banana cream topping—capturing the dessert’s signature sweet-savory profile in a sophisticated, sippable version.

The second cocktail offered a brighter, citrus-forward profile using Manille Liqueur de Dalandan, also from Distileria Limtuaco, blended with Wide Awake PH’s 72HR Anaerobic Natural espresso and milk clarified with citrus for a silky, tasty experience. Both cocktails showcased the versatility and quality of Filipino single-origin coffee and premium craft liquors.

Complementing the thoughtfully crafted coffee cocktails was a curated selection of Filipino comfort food provided by Mitch Sweets, a well-loved name in the local Filipino community known for serving authentic, homemade dishes and desserts. From savory bites to sweet delicacies, the food perfectly complemented the drinks, offering guests a nostalgic taste of home with every pairing. Favorites like siomai, pancit, and also chicken karaage were enjoyed alongside the aromatic brews and spirited concoctions, enhancing the event’s warm and familial atmosphere.

The event drew a diverse crowd, including not only local coffee enthusiasts and Viennese foodies, but also Filipino coffee shop owners based in Vienna—who saw the event as both a celebration and a source of inspiration. Adding to the cultural richness were several visiting artists and creatives from the Philippines, who were in Vienna for various engagements and lent their presence and voices to the exchange of ideas, laughters, flavors, and stories.

Throughout April, Gota Coffee Experts will offer both signature cocktails on their coffee cocktail menu, while the specialty beans from Mt. Apo and Bukidnon—roasted by Wide Awake PH and Kape de Filipina—can be bought at their brew bar. Each coffee order comes with a specially designed art card by Philippine Embassy Attaché Kristine Camille Cruz (who also organized the event), featuring detailed notes on the coffee’s origin, processing, and flavor profile.

The event sets a celebratory tone for Filipino Food Month in Austria, blending craft, culture, and community in every cup.

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