KUMBIRA 2026: Three Decades, One Culinary Legacy
The Philippines longest culinary festival and competition celebrates its 30th Pearl Jubilee on October 14, 15 & 16, 2026 at The Atrium, Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.
“This year, KUMBIRA celebrates its 30th year of bringing together culinary talents, creativity, passion, and the love of food!” said COHARA President Jerome dela Fuente. “Get ready to witness an exciting lineup of culinary competitions featuring talented chefs, students, pastry artists, baristas, bartenders, and more!
Founded in 1996 by the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association (COHARA), KUMBIRA! is the Philippines’ longest running live competition for students and professionals, and largest culinary show outside of Metro Manila
The word KUMBIRA! means a feast or dinner party in Bisaya. As its celebrates its three decades, the annual event eventually into a major fixture of the city’s month-long Higalaay Festival.
Since its inception in 1996, Kumbira has been sharpening the kitchen knives of culinary students and professionals all over Mindanao. With its featured live cooking, table settings, baking, fruit/vegetable carving, and master classes for professionals and students alike, it has significantly contributed to the increasing demand for skilled kitchen and hospitality staff here and abroad.
Hala KUMBIRA!
COHARA kicks of the festivities, with Hala KUMBIRA: Festival of Flavors & Hospitality as a Prelude to the 30th Grand KUMBIRA.
From August 1–31, 2026, COHARA presents a month-long celebration during Cagayan de Oro City’s HIGALAAY FESTIVAL with participating COHARA member hotels and restaurants offering exciting food, dining, accommodation, and hospitality promotions as part of HALA! KUMBIRA 2026.
“By scanning the QR code in the brochure, guests and visitors discover special promos from participating hotels and restaurants,, and experience the best of Cagayan de Oro’s hospitality scene throughout August,” said COHARA Executive Officer Nollie Arguelles.
“Come and enjoy Hala Kumbira’s month-long celebration of food, hospitality, and local flavors this August as we enjoin you to a bigger celebration in October 2026 for KUMBIRA’s 30th celebration “KUMBIRA @ 30: Three Decades, One Culinary Legacy.”
KUMBIRA 2026 is now inviting partners and sponsors from the food, beverage, and hospitality industry. Showcase your brand, support culinary excellence, and connect with chefs, restaurateurs, and industry leaders.
Evolution and Growth
KUMBIRA! was started in 1996 by COHARA as a small local project and advocacy to improve restaurant and hotel services, trends, and standards in Cagayan de Oro.
It has since evolved into a premier competitive arena drawing professional chefs, culinary students, and schools from across Mindanao and neighboring regions.
It has been a major driver in elevating local hospitality services, contributing to professional skills certification and industry growth.
Themes and Highlights
Over its three decades, it has championed Mindanao Flavors, frequently highlighting indigenous local ingredients, Halal culinary practices, and regional heritage dishes.
On top of Mindanao’s culinary heritage and traditions, it has also broadened its scope to feature international concepts, such as the food baskets of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines (BIMP-EAGA).
Celebrating a Winning Heritage
COHARA President Jerome dela Fuente, who has steered the organization over the last two years, revealed KUMBIRA@30 will once again be highlighted during the traditional Christmas Tree Lighting Event of Limketkai Luxe Hotel this coming November featuring the awarded chefs of the hotel and their winning recipes in the 30th Grand KUMBIRA! on October 14, 15 & 16, 2026 The Atrium, Limketkai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City.
“Since we started joining Kumbira under my watch, we’ve consistently won the most awards under the Professional Category,” said de la Fuente, who is concurrently the Vice President & General Manager of Limketkai Hotels & Resorts, Inc., which owns and operates Limketkai Luxe Hotel, arguably Cagayan de Oro’s best hotel . “Now, I want to share that know-how with everyone, and they can even request for a copy of the recipes from us!”
Limketkai Luxe romped off with the overall championship in the Professional Category in the 2025 Kumbira with two golds, seven silvers, and two bronzes which delivered an overwhelming performance that yielded 976 points in the ranking score, far outdistancing the second place finisher which had 371 points.
With the flair, pizzazz and panache that’s been his trademark, VP/GM Jerome will let the invited guests actually taste their award winning recipes in a buffet table for the ages!
“After the professionals and students, we are now taking the next step by conducting culinary competitions with our homemakers through our Hala Kumbira!,” GM Jerome noted. “This would not only elevate the level of our culinary expertise at the most basic level, but even more important, provide the family with an additional source of livelihood to help improve our standards of living and lower poverty incidence in our region.”
-30-
