Regina Troy Barrios

Tony Boy Escalante Steps Back From Daily Operations Of Antonio's Group

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More than two decades after <a href="https://www.antoniosrestaurant.ph/?utm_source=ig&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_content=link_in_bio&amp;fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn1ihTKejYFZ0hgLsiU2IOxiLrQS7Ryaw8aVMIKMzqsMb4qYDn7dPOgAXSP3A_aem_gn4kjm5Wyv6f_VHeIh7mXg" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Antonio&#x27;s</a> helped establish Tagaytay as one of the country&#x27;s premier dining destinations, founder Tony Boy Escalante is stepping back from the day-to-day operations of Antonio&#x27;s GroupEscalante will no longer oversee the group&#x27;s daily operations. Instead, Escalante will focus on the group&#x27;s long-term direction while continuing to mentor its chefs and oversee the culinary standards that have defined Antonio&#x27;s for more than two decades.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783996013042Workbench Thumbnail.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Tony Boy Escalante at Antonio&#x27;s | Photo: Antonio&#x27;s Group of Restaurants </div>It is the first time the group has formally handed day-to-day leadership to a new management team since Antonio&#x27;s opened in 2002.&quot;This isn&#x27;t about stepping away from what I love,&quot; Escalante said in a statement. &quot;It&#x27;s about creating the space for the next generation to lead while I focus on the bigger picture.&quot;Since opening in 2002, Antonio&#x27;s helped transform Tagaytay into one of the country&#x27;s premier dining destinations. Its ingredient-driven approach and gracious hospitality influenced a generation of Filipino fine dining restaurants, while sister establishments <a href="https://www.instagram.com/breakfastatantonios/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Breakfast at Antonio&#x27;s</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/balaydako/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Balay Dako</a> became destinations in their own right. In 2015, Antonio&#x27;s was named No. 48 on Asia&#x27;s 50 Best Restaurants, and was later <a href="https://guide.michelin.com/ph/en/calabarzon/cavite_2318043/restaurant/antonio-s" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">included in the inaugural Michelin Guide Philippines</a>.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1783996167527group.2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Antonio&#x27;s next generation of leaders: Basti Escalante, AC Agra and Patricia Benedicto | Photo: Antonio&#x27;s Group of Restaurants</div>The new leadership team includes Tony Boy&#x27;s son, Basti Escalante, who will oversee business development and the group&#x27;s Metro Manila expansion; Executive Chef AC Agra, who brings experience from Australia&#x27;s fine dining industry and will lead culinary operations; and Patricia Benedicto, who will oversee branding, new concepts, and the group&#x27;s food-and-beverage strategy.&quot;Our promise of thoughtful hospitality, exceptional food, and genuine service hasn&#x27;t changed,&quot; Basti Escalante said. &quot;As we take on greater responsibility for the restaurants my father built, our focus is on honoring that legacy while thoughtfully preparing Antonio&#x27;s Group for the future.&quot;Escalante is stepping away from the day-to-day demands of running the business, but not from the restaurant that bears his imprint. As Antonio&#x27;s enters its next chapter, the challenge will be preserving the standards that made it one of Philippine dining&#x27;s defining institutions while placing its future in a new generation of hands.

Antonio's founder Tony Boy Escalante is stepping back from the daily operations of his acclaimed restaurant group after more than two decades, ushering in a new generation of leadership while remaining actively involved in shaping its future.

Antonio's founder Tony Boy Escalante is stepping back from the daily operations of his acclaimed restaurant group after more than two decades, ushering in a new generation of leadership while remaining actively involved in shaping its future.

Tony Boy Escalante Steps Back From Daily Operations Of Antonio's Group

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Tony Boy Escalante Steps Back From Daily Operations Of Antonio's Group

Troy Barrios

Published July 14, 2026 10:34 AM PHT

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