Beyond the Kitchen: Meet the Chefs Behind Grand Westside Manila Bay

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This International Chefs Day, Grand Westside Manila Bay celebrates the culinary talents shaping its dining experiences through Filipino flavours, memorable celebrations, creative indulgences and thoughtful kitchen practices.

Long before Grand Westside Manila Bay welcomed its first guests, its kitchens were already coming to life. Menus were being developed, recipes tested and a culinary team brought together, all in preparation for the opening of one of the country's largest hotels.

At the heart of these preparations was Executive Chef Christopher “Chris” Lugtu, whose culinary experience and leadership helped establish the hotel's kitchen operations from the ground up. Today, together with Executive Sous Chef Mary Ann “Meann” Senas and Pastry Chef Erwin Manes, he continues to shape the dining experiences enjoyed by guests.

This International Chefs Day, Grand Westside Manila Bay celebrates three chefs whose stories reflect the creativity, dedication and teamwork behind the food served every day.

Chef Chris Lugtu: Leading with Passion and Purpose

For Executive Chef Christopher “Chris” Lugtu, a successful kitchen begins with its people.

With an extensive career spanning international hospitality brands and leading hotels and resorts in the Philippines, Chef Chris brings a wealth of culinary experience and leadership to Grand Westside Manila Bay.

He joined the hotel during its pre-opening preparations in 2023, taking on the challenge of establishing its culinary operations. From developing menus and setting kitchen standards to assembling and mentoring the team, he has played an important role in shaping the hotel's food and beverage offerings.

His culinary approach draws inspiration from Filipino flavours and regional cooking traditions, bringing familiar dishes into a contemporary hotel dining setting. Creations such as Bukidnon Wagyu Adobo Ribs, Pork Belly Humba and Beef Sinigang Skewers reflect his appreciation for local ingredients and recipes that remind people of home.

“Some of the best meals are the ones that remind us of home. I enjoy working with familiar Filipino flavours and finding ways to present them differently, without losing what makes them special,” shares Chef Chris.

Beyond the menu, Chef Chris places equal importance on developing younger chefs, encouraging collaboration and building a kitchen culture where creativity and responsible practices go hand in hand.

Making Every Ingredient Count

For Chef Chris and his Culinary team, responsible cooking begins with thoughtful planning and making the most of every ingredient.

With the help of Winnow, a food waste monitoring system, the team continues to refine kitchen production, ingredient utilisation and portion planning while maintaining the quality and variety of the hotel's dining experiences.

By August 2026, the hotel recorded approximately 15% less food waste per guest cover compared with its January–August average, reflecting improvements in kitchen efficiency and resource management.

These efforts support Megaworld Hotels & Resorts' MEGreen sustainability programme and the hotel's commitment to responsible hospitality.

“Great dining experiences begin with the care and attention our people bring to their work. I'm proud of Chef Chris and our Culinary team for their creativity, dedication and thoughtful approach to making the most of our resources. It's a wonderful example of how good hospitality and responsible practices can go hand in hand,” shares Joe Xavier Fijardo, General Manager of Grand Westside Manila Bay.

Chef Meann Senas: The Heart Behind Celebrations

For Executive Sous Chef Mary Ann “Meann” Senas, every banquet comes with a story.

With a background in luxury hospitality and extensive experience in banquet operations, Chef Meann understands that food plays an important part in life's celebrations, from weddings and family milestones to corporate gatherings.

She joined Grand Westside Manila Bay in 2024 as Sous Chef and has since progressed to Executive Sous Chef, taking on greater responsibilities in menu development, banquet operations and special events.

Her dedication and leadership earned her the hotel's 2025 Leader of the Year recognition, an achievement she credits to the colleagues who work alongside her.

“Behind every successful event are so many people working together. We have our challenging days, but we look after one another. That's what makes our team special,” shares Chef Meann.

For her, the greatest reward is seeing guests enjoy the celebrations that her team has worked so hard to prepare.

Chef Erwin Manes: The Joy of Little Indulgences

Not every memorable food experience calls for a special occasion.

Sometimes, it's a freshly baked pastry with morning coffee, a favourite cake shared with colleagues or a sweet treat brought home for the family.

At Quick To Go, Pastry Chef Erwin Manes brings his creativity to the hotel's selection of cakes, pastries and freshly prepared treats. His work calls for patience, consistency and an appreciation for the small details that make each creation special.

“I like knowing that something we've prepared can brighten someone's day. It may be a simple pastry or a slice of cake, but when guests come back for their favourites, that's a wonderful feeling,” shares Chef Erwin.

For him, those everyday moments of enjoyment are among the most satisfying parts of his work.

The People Behind Every Plate

From the international selections at Café by Westside and the pastries at Quick To Go to the carefully prepared menus for weddings and celebrations, each dining experience at Grand Westside Manila Bay reflects the efforts of a dedicated Culinary team.

This International Chefs Day, the hotel celebrates not only the skills and creativity of its chefs, but also their leadership, teamwork and commitment to making every ingredient count.

Behind every memorable meal are people who take pride in making it special.

Guests are invited to discover the culinary experiences at Grand Westside Manila Bay, from all-day dining at Café by Westside and freshly prepared treats at Quick To Go to menus created for weddings, celebrations and corporate events.

For dining reservations and banquet enquiries, please contact Grand Westside Manila Bay through its official reservations channels.

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About Grand Westside Manila Bay

Grand Westside Manila Bay is the largest hotel in the Philippines, offering 1,528 rooms and suites in the heart of Westside City, Parañaque. Designed for business and leisure travellers, the hotel features contemporary accommodation, versatile meeting and event spaces, wellness facilities and a collection of dining experiences.

Conveniently located near Entertainment City, SM Mall of Asia and Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the hotel combines warm Filipino hospitality with an easy, contemporary stay experience.

Filipino chef behind Dubai chocolate phenomenon teams up with Jollibee for Christmas

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Jollibee is partnering with Filipino pastry chef and culinary innovator Nouel Catis, whose work is associated with the global Dubai chocolate phenomenon, to introduce the Pistachio Choco Sundae, a limited-edition Christmas dessert that brings a globally popular flavor combination to a familiar Filipino favorite.

“Christmas is a time when people look forward to experiences that make the season more special. At Jollibee, we want to bring that joy through both the food our customers love and new flavors that surprise and delight them,” said Dorothy Ching, vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines. "Partnering with Chef Nouel gives us a chance to offer something new this Christmas while celebrating Filipino culinary talent on the global stage."

Based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Catis is recognized for his work in the chocolate confectionery space, particularly the Dubai chocolate phenomenon that helped popularize the combination of chocolate and pistachio flavors among consumers worldwide.

His work has also received recognition, including being named an Emerging Global Filipino Icon by The Global Filipino Magazine and receiving a Service Excellence Award in Culinary Innovation in Dubai.

“We see Chef Nouel as a partner in our mission to bring joy to Filipinos and people around the world through food. By bringing his culinary expertise together with a Jollibee favorite, we hope to give our customers a new way to enjoy flavors they love and discover something different this Christmas,” Ching added.

For Catis, the collaboration is also a personal milestone, bringing him together with a brand he has loved since childhood.

“I was so happy when Jollibee reached out to me. I grew up loving Jollibee, so I never imagined that one day, I’d get to work with a brand that’s been part of my childhood. After the Dubai chocolate experience, it’s exciting to be doing something like this with Jollibee, especially for Christmas,” said Catis. “As a Filipino, it makes me proud to be part of something that can bring joy to people here at home and hopefully introduce more people around the world to the creativity and talent of Filipinos.”

The collaboration brings Catis’s culinary expertise to Jollibee’s annual Christmas sundae offering. The Pistachio Choco Sundae features creamy vanilla soft serve coated in a pistachio shell, topped with chocolate syrup and diced pistachios.

Priced at ₱79, the dessert will be available nationwide from October 16 to December 31 through Jollibee dine-in, takeout, drive-thru and delivery via GrabFood and foodpanda.

The partnership reflects Jollibee’s continuing effort to create new food experiences for customers during the holiday season, combining familiar favorites with fresh flavors while celebrating Filipino talent whose work has reached international audiences.

Craving more Jollibee treats and exclusives? Head to www.jollibee.com.ph for the latest updates, order your favorites via GrabFood and foodpanda, and follow us on social media for more JOYful surprises.

Chefs Sau Del Rosario and Josh Boutwood join the plant-based movement

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The fast rise of plant-based alternatives has led to a cultural shift in the global food industry. This has been especially evident in Asia where a growing number of people, young and old, are turning to plant-based foods to boost their health. Another reason it has caught consumers’ attention so quickly is because the growing concerns about climate change have made them more mindful about eating sustainably. According to a recent survey by GlobalData, over 40% of consumers in the region are shifting to plant-based meat and diets, with 11% opting for vegetarian and vegan food, and a third are cutting down on their meat consumption by going ‘flexitarian’, centering their diets on plant-based foods without totally eliminating meat.

With diners already demanding healthier and nutritious food products and making better-informed choices - putting more plant-based foods on their menus make practical business sense for food operators. Answering the call, Nestlé Philippines has made the first step into the plant-based meat alternatives market with its HARVEST GOURMET® brand. The new range provides a close similarity on taste and texture to that of meat products, while offering the nutritional benefits of plant-based proteins. The variety of options have also been adapted to the Asian palate and popular menu choices, including meat-alternative burgers, nuggets, and mince ingredients made from non-GMO soy, wheat, and other plant-based ingredients. This revolutionary line is meant to support restaurateurs, cafe owners, hoteliers, and other out-of-home industry partners by helping them opt-in to adding more plant-based menu options as it opens up more business opportunities to not only provide more choices for health-conscious consumers, but also ‘normalize’ the consumption of meat-alternatives.

“As more people turn to meat-alternatives to achieve healthier lifestyles and to satisfy their taste buds, we welcome our out-of-home industry partners to strongly start taking plant-based menu offerings into consideration as it attracts a different type of customer, while also providing exciting, new taste experiences for loyal customers. This is a recipe that makes good business sense,” said Alexander Ong Oh, Business Executive Officer, Nestlé Professional, the foodservice unit of Nestlé Philippines.

Most recently, two of the country’s esteemed chefs - Sau Del Rosario and Josh Boutwood - made the choice to join the plant-based movement. In collaboration with Nestle Philippines’ HARVEST GOURMET® brand, they both created a pair of burger dishes for their respective restaurants in an effort to test out the appeal of plant-based meat among their customers.

For Chef Sau, he created a plant-based Adobo Burger with Pinakbet Okoy & Buffalo Wings with Calamansi Aioli and a Korean-inspired plant-based Burger with Ssam Jang, Kimchi and Nori flavored fries. The latter is currently available to order from his Cafe Fleur restaurant menu. These flavorful creations were made using HARVEST GOURMET® Sensational Burger and HARVEST GOURMET® Chargrilled pieces

Chef Josh, on the other hand, made his own creation of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat Burger made with HARVEST GOURMET® Sensational Burger, Colby Jack cheese, charcoal grilled cucumber relish, burger sauce, chipotle sauce, and micro greens.

He also made a plant-based Honey Buffalo (chicken) Sandwich made with HARVEST GOURMET® Schnitzel, coleslaw, and secret sauce, available for a limited time at his renowned Test Kitchen.

Whether as a chef or a diner, both Chef Sau and Chef Josh lauded how HARVEST GOURMET® has made it easier for them to incorporate a plant-based food into their life and work.

“I keep a very busy schedule, but I make sure I eat nourishing and healthy meals to keep my body energized and ready for the long hours in the kitchen. Eating healthy has never been this easy when I started incorporating Harvest Gourmet into my diet and this is something I would like for my diners to also experience. That’s why I included it in our Café Fleur menu. You will love how it is not only good for your wellbeing but for our environment as well,” said Chef Sau.

When people hear vegetarian, vegan, plant-based alternatives, or anything related to healthy food, there is an automatic connotation that it would be an inferior product; and while some might still have reservations over plant-based food, Chef Josh can attest to the quality of HARVEST GOURMET®.

“As a diner, if I change my mindset, what’s important to me is that it has to taste good, and I have to enjoy it. Is it good enough for me to create a memory that I will remember? Yes, and that’s what’s important. With Harvest Gourmet, these are wonderful base products that we can build up on as chefs and incorporate it in our menu to give that extra option to our guests to choose from,” said Chef Josh.

For a limited time only, Nestlé Professional Philippines is offering HARVEST GOURMET® products at a special discount of up to 36% on both e-commerce and wholesale platforms.

HARVEST GOURMET® products are available through Nestlé Professional Philippines and e-commerce partners: Rare Food Shop, Lazada, Shopee, and Wholemart PH.

For more information on HARVEST GOURMET® products, please visit the official Facebook page of Nestlé Professional Philippines and follow @harvestgourmetph on Instagram.

Tips and Recipes to Elevate Your Home Cooking with Ninong Ry- Recreate each recipe at home with the help of GLife’s curated brands and merchants

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Nothing beats the comfort of having a home-cooked meal, and if there’s someone who knows a thing or two about preparing delectable dishes for the family, it’s Ninong Ry. He brings his special recipes to life with the help of GLife, sourcing all the best ingredients and kitchen gadgets to ensure his dishes are always outstanding.

A feature on the GCash app, GLife brings together a curated line-up of merchants and services into one dashboard to allow users to shop for what they need effortlessly in just a few quick taps.

Whether he’s looking for the freshest vegetables and meats or he’s on the hunt for new equipment to level up his kitchen, Ninong Ry finds it all on GLife. Take note of these tips from everyone’s favorite ninong, and get ready to elevate your home cooking!

Tip 1: Great food needs great cookware, and when you plan to make steak at home, you need a sturdy cast iron pan.

A nice, tender steak doesn’t require a trip to a fine dining restaurant; all you need is a cast iron skillet at home to cook a perfectly delicious and juicy steak. A cast-iron pan evenly distributes and retains heat, so when you cook steak, the entire surface takes on a beautifully caramelised sear.

“Lahat ng gusto mong i-sear, masesear mo ng maayos dito kumpara sa ibang material,” explains Ninong Ry. “Mas mataas ang searing, mas masarap ang luto, mas mag eenjoy ang pamilya.”

A nice cast iron pan may be purchased for PHP 630.00 from Rampage City on GLife. Through this tried and tested technique using a cast iron pan, you can begin having epic steak nights at home!

Tip 2: Make the smart choice with your sandwiches by grilling them. You can even get creative and grill with a waffle iron!

“Madalas ginagamit ko ang waffle iron ko pag sawa na akong mag pancake. Same mixture, babawasan lang ng liquid, pwedeng pwede nang maging waffle. Ginagawa ko din minsan na sandwich bread yung mga waffle na gawa ko para maiba naman,” shares Ninong Ry.

With a waffle iron, the outside of your sandwich becomes crispy, but the centre remains soft and gooey, especially when you add lots of cheese! Ninong Ry recommends the Sonifer SF-6043, a portable waffle iron that costs only PHP 674.00 on GLife.

Tip 3: Need help in picking the right kind of beef for different dishes? Get the finest Sirloin or Salpicao cuts + homemade steak sauce from Chingolo Deli.

Chingolo Deli is Ninong Ry's go-to deli for meats since they're sourced from grass-fed herds. Their meats are hormone and antibiotic free, so they’re not only delicious, but also healthier for you and your family.

The Bolzico meat at Chingolo Deli is a 100% Argentinian certified grass-fed Angus beef, but they also have a large selection of meats from which you can prepare a superb sirloin dish or beef salpicao dinner. They also sell homemade steak sauce to go with their prime steak cuts. The best part? They’re all available on your GCash app thanks to GLife!

Tip 4: Make the smart choice for more savings when shopping and choose PureGo for the freshest and most affordable grocery finds.

With thousands of products from hundreds of recognized and trustworthy brands, PureGo makes online grocery shopping simple. “PureGo is incredibly convenient,” Ninong Ry promises. "Kumpleto sila sa grocery goods, kaya di na naming kailangang lumabas, and sure na sariwa ang mga karne at gulay nila, kaya tiwala ako na maganda.”

You can access PureGo on GLife via the GCash app, and select your desired groceries. Payments may be made through a variety of methods, including GCash, and your products will be delivered to your home the same day, allowing you to enjoy your fresh buy and prepare wonderful meals without the trouble of grocery shopping!

With these tips, you can now excitedly level up your home cooking game. Using ingredients from PureGo and using your new cast iron pan and waffle iron from GLife, here are two recipes from Ninong Ry that you can try out!

Steak in a Cast Iron Pan

Ingredients:

●       250g Mrs. Garcia’s Vacuum T-Bone steak

●       3 cloves PG Fresh Garlic Whole Imported

●       1-2 tbsp Anchor Butter Salted

●       McCormick White Pepper

●       Salt

●       100 ml Dona Elena Red Wine

●       1 tbsp Flour

●       175 ml Water

 

Procedure: 

●       Preheat cast iron pan until very hot and smoking

●       Season the steak with salt and pepper

●       Cook the steak to your desired doneness; put the butter and crushed garlic one minute before you reach your desired doneness

●       Baste the steak with butter

●       Let the steak rest for up to 10 minutes

●       Deglaze the pan with red wine, then put the flour to make a rue and add water to form a gravy

●       Serve and enjoy!

 

Waffle and Bacon Breakfast

Ingredients:

●       200g Maya Pancake Mix Whole Wheat

●       2 pcs eggs

●       250 ml Nestle Carnation Evap

●       Clara Ole Pancake Syrup Original

●       400g CDO Regular Bacon

●       200ml Arla Whipping Cream

●       2 pcs Ripe Mango Medium

Procedure: 

●       To make two waffles, Preheat the Waffle iron, and pour the pancake mix until cooked

●       On a separate pan, cook the bacon until crispy

●       Dice the mangoes

●       To plate, top the waffle with whipping cream and diced mangoes, and put the bacon in between

With GLife, you can find smart, practical, and cost-effective ways to live the good life on a daily basis. GLife's chosen brands and exclusive prices will help you enrich your everyday home cooking experience, just like Ninong Ry. Visit GLife on the GCash app, which is available on the App Store or Google Play now, and start shopping today.

 

Mega Prime’s new ambassador Chef Rosebud hosts an online cooking demo to share healthy and practical recipes to Filipino moms during ECQ

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Mega Prime has signed up its newest ambassador—Chef Rosebud Benitez, a top-rated celebrity cook and hands-on mom who has become a household name for her mouthwatering recipes. 

Known for her versatility as a chef, Chef Rosebud has always used Mega Prime’s wide array of high-quality products that has made cooking much easier for moms. “I always have Mega Sweet Chili and Oyster Sauce in my kitchen, because they can be paired easily with any dish. With Sweet Chili, there’s no need to think of a complicated dish,” she shared.

Both Mega Prime and Chef Rosebud are passionate about helping everyone come up with yummy dishes that the whole family will enjoy. That is why homemakers are looking forward to what the partnership between Mega Prime and Chef Rosebud has to offer. 

During this enhanced community quarantine, Mega Prime is aware of the different sentiments of Filipino families in the kitchen at home. With this, Mega Prime is kicking off its partnership with Chef Rosebud through a Facebook Live cooking demo featuring healthy, nutritious and practical recipes to upgrade our everyday meals. 

Happening on April 25, Saturday at 3:00PM, Chef Rosebud will be featuring some of her go-to Mega Prime products that can turn simple dishes into super meals that moms can do at home during the quarantine period. 

Chef Rosebud joins Marian Rivera, who serves as Mega Prime’s main ambassador, in reaching out to moms. Together, the two will add even more dynamism to the Mega Prime Mom Club, which has been steadfast in its efforts to turn Filipino moms into savvy homemakers. 

“I like the products of Mega Prime because the taste is very close to "panlasang Pinoy". They have a variety of products for all our cooking needs and offer value for money. You don't have to pay a premium but what you're getting is of premium taste, which is very important for price-conscious moms,” she said.

Don’t forget to tune in at https://www.facebook.com/MegaPrimeQuality and get ready to cook the yummiest but pocket-friendly dishes with Chef Rosebud and Mega Prime!

Chef Reggie Aspiras Social Media

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Chef Reggie Aspiras of Philippine Daily Inquirer's Kitchen Rescue is now online! 

Hailed as an Icon of the Industry in 2018 in Yummy Magazine's 10th Anniversary Issue, Chef Reggie Aspiras is one of the country's leading Chefs in Filipino cuisine. She's also a food writer and stylist, a catering consultant, and a specialized instructor in the culinary arts.

Early this year, Chef Reggie also launched the Kitchens of the World, a specialized and curated culinary tour in cities across the world. She also spearheaded Kusination, a food emergy response team of voluntary culinary professionals who set up a kitchen at Villamor Airbase in an effort to help the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. 

Truly, Chef Reggie is one of the most influential and iconic chefs in the country. 

Find Chef Reggie and discover her kitchen secrets at www.reggieaspiras.com

Follow her on Facebook and Instagram @iamreggieaspiras, and subscribe to her YouTube channel https://bit.ly/ChefReggieYT

#ExperienceTEFAL : Chef Jonas Ng,Tefal brand ambassador shared how to make each chore a worthwhile experience with Tefal

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Tefal brand ambassador, veteran chef and restaurateur Jonas Ng , also known with his cooking show, Chef Next Door oozing with wit, science, humor, and sexiness, shared how to enjoy and experience Tefal, last  March 17 held at Robinsons Place Antipolo Atrium.

“We need a brand that could effectively help us meet the enormous demands of today’s fast-paced world. Luckily, we have Tefal small domestic appliances designed to make each chore a worthwhile experience,” shares Chef Jonas Ng, Tefal brand ambassador. 

Tefal Appliance Philippines, true to its commitment to redefine the Filipino lifestyle through quality, efficient and innovative home and kitchen appliances,  launches “Experience Tefal” – a campaign that aims to provide the Filipinos with infinite opportunities to enjoy life in the comfort of their own homes. 

Regarded as a world leader in small domestic appliances, Tefal prides itself for being home to some of the biggest innovations in Kitchen Appliances. You can now serve perfectly cooked rice with Tefal rice cookers which have extra durable CERAMIC pot and diamond-shaped pattern, responsible for even heat diffusion - resulting in tasty and fluffy rice. Aside from the durable ceramic pot, each Tefal rice cooker offers unique and smart cooking programs – allowing the user to prepare quick, healthy and happy meals every day. 

Nutty Chocolate cake is baked at the Tefal Rice Cooker 

Summer is just around the corner and staying fit, fab and refreshed will be easier with Tefal blenders. Tefal has blenders that use Tripl’ax Technology – 6 blades with 3 combined actions (Cyclone Booster, Extreme Mixing and Chunks Killer) for 1 ultimate blending. 

Those who are still looking for a blender, perfect for all types of ingredients, Tefal Tripl’ax blender is absolutely the right choice.

Surviving each season in style is possible with Tefal irons and garment steamers. Tefal’s Durilium Technology is another breakthrough that gives the iron’s soleplate superior scratch resistance and unrivalled glideability – making ironing faster, easier and fun. 

Tefal also produces garment steamers – ideal for yuppies and fashionistas who always want to keep up with fashion and style.

With Chef Jonas Ng, his beautiful wife, celebrity singer Mila Poblete who performed for the audience during the event.

Learn and enjoy more about #ExperienceTefal, visit www.facebook.com/tefalappliancephilippines today.

Experience the taste of Japanese Food, Music at Buddha-Bar Manila

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Buddha-Bar’s Corporate Chef Shigeki Iimura, to serenade customers with the exquisite Japanese Cuisine

Buddha-Bar-Manila, a world-class resto-bar-lounge that offers fine dining and entertainment experience, is bringing the best of contemporary Japanese cuisine as Chef Shigeki Iimura, Buddha-Bar’s Japanese Corporate Chef, visits Manila this July 7 for a meet-and-greet with lovers of good food and entertainment.

A night of gastronomical delight will follow on July 8 as the renowned executive chef showcases his culinary skills as he prepares choice Japanese dishes through a live kitchen demo.

The said event on July 8, dubbed as “Japanese Serenade,” features Chef Shigeki’s signature Japanese dishes that will be prepared right before a live crowd while a violinist plays a beautiful ensemble.

“We are glad to invite everyone who loves Japanese food for this once-in-a-year event. I know that they will get to enjoy and learn a lot from this spectacular night as Buddha-Bar Japanese Head Chef Shigeki Iimura comes over to showcase his one-of-a-kind dishes,” said Bernadette Castillo, Sales and Marketing head of Buddha-Bar Manila.

For almost 35 years, Chef Shigeki was able to learn the different styles of Authentic Japanese cuisine from Kyoto-style to Kaga and Robata-style. With this, he achieved a reputation in the culinary world in Japan as he established a career in a top restaurant in Tokyo. After traveling and working in different parts of the world, he developed a passion for Western cuisine and its flavours.

“Beyond the passion for Continental and Japanese cuisine, Chef Shigeki is admired most because he is an artist whose talent gives people emotions displayed from the fusion of his different cooking styles,” added Castillo.

Shigeki spends most of his time developing exciting, unconventional, and contemporary recipes making him a trendsetter when it comes to Japanese food.

Castillo said further, “Chef Shikegi Iimura’s visit in Buddha-Bar Manila is, definitely, one of the best events that we could offer for our customers. With the edgy style found in all of his dishes, we know that it will keep enthralling the taste buds of those who will get to try them. Come and join us here at Buddha-bar Manila to experience the creations of Chef Iimura through our limited offered Japanese Serenade Menu.”

Chef Shigeki's Japanese Serenade Menu will be available in Buddha-Bar Manila from July 7 to 23 only.

To know more about the event, as well as for inquiries and reservations, please call 8566719, 8566859, or 09989833918. 

You may also visit Buddha-Bar Manila, located at Picar Place, Kalayaan Ave. Makati City.

10 Reasons why you shouldn't miss this year's MAFBEX

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Are you ready for the Ultimate Foodventure?

It’s that time of the year again for the biggest food show in the country – the Manila Foods and Beverages Expo, bringing together a flurry of gastronomic wonders on June 14 to 18, from 10:00am to 8:00pm at the World Trade Center Manila. Organized by MAFBEX Events Management (a subsidiary of Worldbex Services International) and presented in cooperation with the Young Hoteliers Exposition and the Organization of Bar Professionals, this year’s show is sure to be packed with tons of surprises and exclusive events. 

To give you an idea, here are some among the many reasons why you should not miss the 11th MAFBEX!

1. Tasting Opportunities

Set to occupy a total of 15,000 sqm of exhibition space, which will house close to 500 exhibitors, explore and sample the diverse array of food and beverage products from both local and international brands. 

2. Fresh Local Produce 

Presented in partnership with the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Trade and Industry, a special pavilion will be showcasing local and homegrown goods from all over the country. Among these include Guzto, Pia, Bahaghari Banana Chips, Merl's Delicacies, The Cracking Monkey, Seaweed Products, Wild Honey, Coconut Oil, Organic Salted Eggs, and Tamarraw rice among many others. Select regional offices including the Regional Field Office I, II, III, and IVA will also display their local produce at the pavilion.

3. Franchising Zone

More than just a destination for foodies, those who wish to venture into the food business are encouraged to visit the Franchising Zone. Among the participating companies include Delicious / Feicitas, KJA Globe, Mega Food Cart, Fosse Coffee Kiosk, Masterchef, David Fusion, JC Worldwide, and Pampanga’s Best.

4. Chefs of the World

A highly-anticipated event highlight at MAFBEX shows, the Chefs of the World gives you a unique opportunity to witness renowned chefs in action and even talk to them during the meet & greet session! Headlining this year’s Chefs of the World are Pokwang, Chef Sharwin Tee, Chef Deejay Santos, Chef Michelle Adrillana, Chef Mitchie Sison, Chef Philip Goulding, and Chef Alain Rion of Sofitel, to name a few.

5. Free MAFBEX Seminars

Feed not only your tummy but also your mind at this year’s MAFBEX Seminars. Open to all and free of charge, learn a thing or two straight from the F&B industry’s top practitioners and influencers.

6. Live Cooking Demos

Wouldn’t it be great if you could prepare your favorite dishes at home? Learn from the best as MAFBEX hosts a series of cooking demos by the most prominent chefs in the country such as Chef Boy Logro, Chef Dang Adrias, Chef Jackie & Maai Florendo, and Chef Xavier Btesh.

7. YHE Interschool Competition

Want to try something new? From a grueling Black Box challenge and Cake Decorating Competition to the Flair Cup 2017, Market Basket Challenge, and the Mocktail Punch Competition, bear witness to live culinary competitions for a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

8. National Bartending Championships

Enjoy a boozy spectacle with the first-ever HRAP National Bartending Championships. To showcase their bottle flipping and flair skills at the Flairtending Competition are representatives from the Baguio Country Club, Cafe Havana, Dusit Thani Hotel, Holiday Inn, and Resorts World Manila. Meanwhile, to showcase their cocktail concoctions on the spot at the Classic Bartender Competition are contests from the Baguio Country Club, Diamond Hotel, Dusit Thani Hotel, Pan Pacific Hotel, Sofitel, Bellevue Manila, and OKADA.

9. MAFBEX Culinary Cup: Home Chef Edition

Like a scene straight out of your favorite reality cooking competition show, feel the action heat up as amateurs battle it out for this year’s MAFBEX Culinary Cup: Home Chef Edition. Divided into two rounds, the semi-finals and the grand finals, home chefs will be tasked to collect their ingredients on the spot and cook up a culinary masterpiece for the honor of being hailed as champion as well as a chance to win awesome prizes.

10. Eat for a cause

It’s not every day that you eat and get to help someone in need. At MAFBEX, you get to do both as part of the proceeds of the show will go to the ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc.

For more information, you may follow #MAFBEX on Facebook and Instagram!