Chefs
The chefs profiled here represent the diverse faces of Manila's contemporary food scene—from established culinary masters to innovative young talent pushing boundaries and redefining Filipino cuisine.
Chef Francis Tolentino
Innovative chef behind Taupe, blending culinary technique with Filipino ingredients and global influences to create distinctive cuisine.
Chef Margarita Forés
Asia's Best Female Chef 2016, Margarita Forés built a culinary empire centered on Italian cuisine and the farm-to-table movement, forever changing Manila's dining landscape through Cibo, Grace Park, and Lusso.
Chef Bruce Ricketts
From martial arts trainer to acclaimed sushi chef, Bruce Ricketts brought precision and creativity to Manila's Japanese dining scene through Sensei Sushi Bar, Mecha Uma, and Iai.
Chef Miko Calo
Joël Robuchon-trained chef Miko Calo brought Michelin-level French technique to Manila through Metronome, and continues to innovate with pop-ups like Coquette and Taqueria Franco.
Chef Chele Gonzalez
Spanish chef Chele Gonzalez brings the legacy of Spain's finest restaurants to Manila through Gallery by Chele, ranked No. 72 on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants 2025 and celebrating Filipino ingredients through modern European technique.
Chef Aaron Isip
From Paris's top kitchens to Manila's Poblacion, Aaron Isip brings French technique and Filipino soul to Kasa Palma, earning a one-knife distinction at The Best Chef Awards.
Chef Josh Boutwood
British-Filipino chef Josh Boutwood brings European culinary training and a nomadic upbringing to Manila's dining scene through Test Kitchen, Ember, Helm, and Juniper.
Chef Jordy Navarra
Trained at Heston Blumenthal's The Fat Duck, Jordy Navarra returned to the Philippines to redefine Filipino cuisine at Toyo Eatery, earning recognition as one of Asia's finest restaurants and a global model for sustainability and cultural preservation.