Park n’ Chill returns to help revive Ormoc food industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic

It is not often you see established brands in the local food industry side by side with well-curated and passionate home-based food vendors. Park N’ Chill: Food + Lifestyle Summer Edition, a partnership between SM Center Ormoc and Amplify Advertising and Events, has done just that.

Food remains the main draw of Park N’ Chill: Food + Lifestyle Summer Edition though there are some cocktails and bevies made available.

The grandest al fresco food market in the city is currently stationed in SM Center Ormoc’s Rooftop Parking Area and houses more than 20 local food merchants, including Pokzur Food & Bellychon, Mr. Corndog, Blazing Burgers, Pier Capitan, Marjuniel’s Batchoy, Little Tokyo, Augustus House of Pochero, Juice Up, Atoy’s Wings & Chips, Chinky Chicken House, The Daily Cup, Macao Imperial Tea, Mr. Goods Boneless Lechon, Fat Booze, Calda’s Grill & Bulalo, Chef Bonak’s Cuisine, Antojos, and Beshies Tasty BBQ. 

Amplify Advertising and Events CEO Nikka Ynot proudly said that Park N’ Chill: Food + Lifestyle was founded amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic when a lot of businesses close down.

While local micro and small food entrepreneurs lost a substantial amount of income due to the present global health crisis, the bigger players were also in danger of closing because of the lockdown restrictions and the public’s fear of dining out.

Besides satisfying the palate of its local followers and foodies, Park N’ Chill: Food + Lifestyle also aims to help local vendors and even big food establishments to recover from the ill effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Behind the scenes, it did not only become an avenue to aid struggling entrepreneurs due to limited operations and deployment but also a nursery for start-ups by mentoring, incubating, and teaching them how to operate better.

Alongside SM Center Ormoc, Amplify Advertising and Events worked to get the necessary permits and set up proper protocols despite the large open space offered by the SMCO, making it a good benchmark of what precautions have to be taken for a safe, socially distanced dining space.

For food entrepreneurs and restaurants who’d like access to the PNC crowd, Nikka Ynot has an open invitation to try setting up at Park N’ Chill: Food + Lifestyle Summer Edition, as there are still spaces available, offering a great opportunity for those who’d want their business to take the next step.

Park N’ Chill: Food + Lifestyle Summer Edition is open Tuesdays to Sundays, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.