CALBAYOG, Philippines (NNS) - Culinary specialists from Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12) engaged in a chef subject matter expert exchange with local Filipino chefs, June 20, as part of PP12's visit to the Philippines.

PP12 culinary specialists worked with local chefs to prepare a variety of western dishes. The PP12 culinary specialist's showed the Filipino chefs their way of cooking calzones, pizza, and garlic bread.

"We came out here to share our recipes for things like pizza and different desserts," said Chief Culinary Specialist Renito Faustino. "We also got the chance to learn about some of the local dishes from the Philippines and compare them to what we are used to eating."

The day was spent in the kitchen working side-by-side with one another and learning about each other's culture.

"To me, it's not just about making pizza, it's about building relationships and making new experiences," said Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Alonda Williams.

This event was just one of many that the PP12 team will participate in during a two-week stay in the Philippines.

Now in its seventh year, Pacific Partnership is a U.S. Pacific Fleet humanitarian and civic assistance mission U.S. military, host and partner nations, non-governmental agencies and international organizations designed to build stronger relationships and disaster response capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

For more information about the PP12 mission, please visit the Pacific Partnership Blog or engage with Pacific Partnership on Facebook and Twitter.