Kusinata (established in 2019), is a unique social enterprise restaurant that offers the best in ethnic fusion cuisine and supports the eco-tourism initiatives of the province’s summer capital, Don Salvador Benedicto. The venue is staffed by Ata tribesmen and women, and mentored by volunteer chefs and professionals with a pro-indigenous people, pro-nature advocacy, and support the buy local-sell
local movement. Kusinata is your dining refuge in paradise, 2700 feet above sea level. From Bacolod and Murcia, San Carlos City (and even Cebu by roro), from Calatrava or Sagay City, or from Canlaon City and Vallehermoso (Negros Oriental), Kusinata in the mountain municipality of Don Salvador Benedicto is approximately an hour away by the national highway. The Malatan-og Falls Viewing Deck acts as your landmark. Your smartphone can lead you to Kusinata. (cut and paste this link for directions)
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kusinata/@10.5875784,123.2273236,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x33a931829c7b3429:0xc536f36f30f977d6!8m2!3d10.5864658!4d123.2304672?hl=en-US
Reserve thru the Kusinata FB or IG page. Hygiene protocols and social distancing are observed in Kusinata. The Visual Treats of Kusinata
Kusinata offers you a front seat view of the last green frontier of Negros Occidental. With Malatan-og Falls as your backdrop, chance upon instagrammable views of double rainbows, simultaneous sunsets and moonrises, fog and moving clouds, or a gliding brahmini kite (the local “dapay”). Don’t forget to take pics of the outstanding gourmet food presentations. The Food
The native cuisine of the Ata levelled up for the global eco-tourist, makes the menu distinct and a culinary magnet that attracts travelling and foodies of all ages. As the saying goes, to see is to believe…but to taste and savor the yellow curry budbud with pork, the wild baby ferm (“pakopako”) salad, the dulce de batuan, and even the baby back ribs (garnished with local herbs and edible flowers), or the laswa lasagna, is a memorable dining experience worth sharing with your loved one, friends or family. https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/earlyedition/regionaltv/32257/gma-regional-tv-early-edition-lasagna-nga-himo-sa-laswa/video - why GMA network featured Kusinata’s laswa lasagana
The Advocacy
Kusinata’s founders have steadfastly been active with activities that improve the social welfare of the Ata since 2015, especially during the pandemic and thereafter. Kusinata has facilitated and produced events for the Ata community, numerous medical/dental missions, Cooking demos in schools, Literacy programs for the Ata children, Christmas gift-giving activities, tree-planting activities, livelihood skill training, and nature runs. The work staff has had workshops in restaurant serving, cookery, food safety, English tutorials, composting, Covid-safety, cultural heritage/ values formation and self-esteem development. The door for volunteers wanting to join in Kusinata’s advocacy is always open. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5SmQ8cq4CE - (check out 4:54 to 7:35) a Don Papa Rum feature on Kusinata’s advocacy for the IPs
https://www.facebook.com/109474520408906/videos/251451702915666 - Kusinata 2020 AVP
