A delightful array of various rice cakes and uniquely flavored coffee took center stage at the Coffee and Food Festival held beside the St. Augustine Church in Paoay, Ilocos Norte.

Different towns showcased their culinary prowess in preparing rice cakes in the cook-off competition. Among the participants was Dolores Baraw, who presented a creative twist to the traditional palitaw rice cake.

"Masaya kasi nai-promote namin ‘yung produkto namin sa Banna, ‘yung rice coffee," Baraw said.

The event aimed to highlight the perfect pairing of coffee and rice cakes, resulting in innovative and delectable recipes. 

Attendees not only enjoyed the culinary showcase but also relished the unique flavors presented during the cook-off.

"It's really good and they have so many innovative [creations], they can create more from our root crops from the products ng Ilocos Norte, so it's really a good project and everyone should come," Minda Alegre, a visitor says.

Aside from the cook-off, the festival also featured a seminar on coffee brewing for coffee enthusiasts in the province.

"Yung Kakanin Cook Off is the second year we're doing it. Prior to this we had the Tupig Cook Off last year [then] we tried to expand it [this time]. Then coincidentally, bagay naman yung kakanin at coffee so we combined both events into one," Xavier Ruiz, Officer-in-Charge of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Tourism Office, says.