Episode 7: Slow Food Youth Network: Starting Them Young with Chef Jam Melchor

Chit Juan talks with Chef Jam Melchor about the vital role of the Slow Food Youth Network in preserving Filipino culinary heritage. Chef Jam shares how he started the network in the Philippines, his efforts to engage young people through partnerships with schools, and his participation in global food sustainability events.  The conversation also explores the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement and its influence on national policies like Proclamation 469. 

GUEST BIO:

Jam Melchor is the founder of the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement, a non-profit movement dedicated to the preservation of the Philippine culinary heritage and gastronomy. He also started the Slow Food Youth Network Philippines which is part of the global Slow Food International, an organization that promotes sustainable change in food system towards good, clean, and fair food. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• The origins of Slow Food Youth Network in the Philippines
• Collaborating with schools to boost youth involvement in slow food initiatives
• Chef Jam's global participation in food sustainability events
• An introduction to the Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement and Chef Jam’s motivation behind it
• The role of the movement in the creation of Proclamation 469 - Filipino Food Month
• Chef Jam's efforts to reinforce Pampanga's status as the culinary capital of the Philippines

QUOTES:

• There are a lot of available roles whenever we conduct World Disco Soup Day, from the organizing committee to the implementing committee. There are so many roles that they can be a part of. - Chef Jam
• I saw your picture on the wall and I said, wow, among all these great chefs of the world, here you are a young Filipino chef and you're in the walls of the University of Gastronomic Sciences. - Chit Juan
• I'm doing a lot of local promotions more than the international, but if by chance, of course, I'm all out, but definitely kailangan mas malakas yung promotions within the country. - Chef Jam
• Whenever you come up or do something, make sure merong gravity at merong kang mai-impact. Whether it's a person or a group or a sector or just a brand guy, doesn't really matter. - Chef Jam
• There are mentors, but there are also good mentees. This is not to be like a mutual admiration society, but you know, Chef Jam, the reason why I want you to share these experiences is that it doesn't take “age”. It doesn't take masters in this and that, but it takes just that curiosity that I think you have, plus the love of country. - Chit Juan

LINKS:

• Philippine Culinary Heritage Movement
• Slow Food Youth Network Philippines
• Chef Jam on Instagram

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