Regina Troy Barrios

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International Manila Food Festival

<p>Something big is happening in Filipino food. And it’s coming to Manila from all over the world, having simmered for years across dinner tables, diaspora kitchens, and on the global stage. </p><p>This <strong>August 7 to 10</strong>, the very first<a href="https://www.manilafoodfestival.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL9mLtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFuR0Nia2FOWjFocTdhcGdKAR7r-w3xMqktYRgljdtztjr9SSRnD4w-Ne5XdQG0Xb6jkO2kCWh9-6BDiSiuzw_aem_0ZePU0p-wowpVQTy9ybP8A" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> <strong>International Manila Food Festival (IMFF)</strong></a> unfolds at<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/newportworldresorts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Newport World Resorts</strong></a>. This is not just another event, but a <strong>homecoming</strong>. A reckoning. A long-overdue celebration of who we are, told through the language we speak best: food.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754313920511IMFF 2025 Omnibus.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>For Filipinos at home and abroad, the IMFF feels like a return—jetlagged, joyful, and long-awaited. For visiting chefs, it’s a <strong>pilgrimage</strong> to a homeland they’ve carried in their cooking, whether or not they’ve ever set foot here.</p><p>“There’s a sense of cautious excitement—almost disbelief—that this is truly happening,” says Anton Diaz, IMFF co-founder and the founder of <a href="https://awesome.blog" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Our Awesome Planet</em></a>.</p><p>For years, we watched Filipino food begin to find acclaim abroad. Now, strange as it may sound, it’s finally coming home—to be embraced not just as comfort food, but as cultural power.</p><div><br/></div><h2><strong>The vision behind IMFF</strong></h2><p>IMFF isn’t just another culinary event. It’s <strong>culinary diplomacy</strong>—a bold step toward building an ecosystem that supports and celebrates Filipino chefs on the global stage.</p><p>Diaspora chefs from the U.S., Europe, Australia, and Asia are flying in to take part. Some haven’t cooked here in decades. Others—like<strong> Lordfer Lalicon</strong>, chef-owner of Kaya, the world’s only Filipino restaurant with a Michelin Green Star, recognized for its sustainability and excellence;<strong> Ross Magnaye</strong>, the Melbourne firebrand behind Serai; and <strong>Erica Paredes</strong>, the Paris-based chef rewriting the Filipino culinary narrative—are returning with sharpened knives, open hearts, and something to say.</p><p>They&#x27;re not just coming here to cook. They’re bringing hard-won lessons, forging new bonds, and becoming part of a Filipino movement long in the making.</p><p>“We are deeply grateful for their generosity—sharing their time, talent, and resources to make this inaugural festival a success,” says Diaz. “May they carry with them the true spirit and flavor of Filipino cuisine—one that inspires their communities, delights their customers, and is proudly passed on to the next generation.”</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754319605809IMFF 2025 Chefs.png" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><h2><strong>So who’s coming? </strong></h2><p>Here are just a few of the powerhouse lineup of chefs joining IMFF.</p><ul style="list-style-type:disc"><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/moniquefeybesse/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Monique Feybesse</strong></a><strong> (California)</strong> – Top Chef alum and acclaimed chef bridging French technique with Filipino soul through refined, heritage-rooted cuisine.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aaronisip/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Aaron Isip</strong></a><strong> (</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kasapalma/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Kasa Palma</strong></a><strong>, Manila)</strong> – Formerly based in Paris, Isip brings French precision to Filipino flavors in Manila’s most exciting tasting menus.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/filippoturrini/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Filippo Turrini</strong></a><strong> (</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/roots.siargao/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Roots Siargao</strong></a><strong>)</strong> – Italian chef leading the charge for produce-driven, sustainable cooking in the Philippines, merging Mediterranean roots with island ethos.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/stephanduhesme/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Stephan Duhesme</strong></a><strong> (</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/metizresto/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Metiz</strong></a><strong>, Manila)</strong> – Known for minimalist, ingredient-forward Filipino menus that challenge and elevate local dining.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chefjoshboutwood/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Josh Boutwood</strong></a><strong> (</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/helmmnl/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Helm</strong></a><strong>, Manila)</strong> – One of the country’s most progressive chefs, Boutwood turns tasting menus into thought-provoking culinary experiences.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chefchelegonzalez/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Chele Gonzalez</strong></a><strong> and </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/carlosvillaflor/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Carlos Villaflor</strong></a><strong> (</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/gallerybychele/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Gallery by Chele</strong></a><strong>, Manila)</strong> – At their flagship in Manila, this dynamic duo blends Spanish heritage and Filipino terroir into globally acclaimed dishes.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/niccosantos/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Nicco Santos</strong></a><strong> (</strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/restaurantcelera/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Celera</strong></a><strong>, Manila)</strong> – Returning to the spotlight with Celera, Santos crafts modern Filipino flavors rooted in memory, nostalgia, and reinvention.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/nicoleponseca/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Nicole Ponseca</strong></a><strong> (NYC/Miami)</strong> – James Beard-nominated disruptor, author of I Am a Filipino, and the visionary behind Jeepney, a seminal Filipino-American restaurant.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/chef.lordfer.lalicon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Lordfer Lalicon</strong></a><strong> (Orlando)</strong> – Chef-owner of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kaya.orlando/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kaya</a>, the world’s only Filipino restaurant with a Michelin Green Star, recognized for its sustainability and excellence.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tara.monsod/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Tara Monsod</strong></a><strong> (San Diego)</strong> – Chef of Animae and back-to-back James Beard finalist, known for bold Filipino-American cooking that commands attention.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ericaparedes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Erica Paredes</strong></a><strong> (Paris)</strong> – Paris-based chef reinterpreting Filipino cuisine through a sophisticated, global lens.<br/><br/></li><li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/magnayerosschef/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>Ross Magnaye</strong></a><strong> (Melbourne)</strong> – The firebrand behind <a href="https://www.instagram.com/serai.melbourne/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Serai</a>, Melbourne’s most talked-about Filipino restaurant—lauded by Gordon Ramsay and leading a new culinary wave.</li></ul><div><br/></div><h2><strong>What to expect</strong></h2><p>Each day of IMFF will spark a different kind of culinary exchange, from homecoming dinners to future-shaping dialogues. A cornerstone is the <strong>World Filipino Food Congress</strong>, a first-of-its-kind collaboration between Le Cordon Bleu–Ateneo, Enderun Colleges, and Center for Culinary Arts. It brings together chefs, founders, government, and food industry leaders for urgent conversations about global branding, sustainability, and the upcoming arrival of the Michelin Guide in Manila.</p><p>“This event isn’t just about food—it’s about building the infrastructure, visibility, and momentum to position the Philippines as a global culinary capital,” says Diaz. An annual report will also be produced, shaping the path forward and ensuring ideas born at IMFF live on long after the final plate is cleared. </p><p>“This is our collective moment,” said Nicole Ponseca, co-founder of Motherland Productions. “IMFF isn’t just about showcasing talent—it’s about unlocking opportunity, building legacy, and reminding the world that Filipino food is here to stay.”</p><div><br/></div><h2><strong>Daily Highlights to Watch For</strong></h2><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17543167817124.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><h3><strong>August 7 — Tita Baby</strong></h3><h3><strong>Casa Buenas: San Diego x Seattle x Manila </strong></h3><p><strong></strong>Two of the most compelling chefs in the US today—<strong>Tara Monsod</strong> of Animae (San Diego) and <strong>Melissa Miranda</strong> of Musang (Seattle)—join forces for a one-night-only collaboration at Casa Buenas.</p><p>Both are James Beard nominees. Both bring a powerful blend of technique, heritage, and perspective to the table.</p><p>Expect a five-course dinner that’s personal, punchy, and unapologetically Filipina—shaped by French and Italian training, deep Filipino roots, and the clarity that comes from cooking on your own terms.</p><div><em>5:00 PM Cocktails </em></div><div><em>6:00–10:00 PM Opening and 5-Course Collaboration Dinner</em></div><div><em>₱10,000 per head includes San Miguel Premium Beers and wine pairing Casa Buenas, Newport World Resorts</em></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17543168310965.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><h2><strong>August 8 &amp; 9 — FLVRS 1: Featuring Leaders, Visionaries, Rising Stars</strong></h2><h3><strong>Hilton Manila: Kusina Sea Kitchens x Serai x Kasa Palma x Roots Siargao x Tarts de Feybesse</strong></h3><p>Four continents. One kitchen. Zero boundaries.</p><p>For two nights only, Kusina Sea Kitchens at the Hilton gets a global glow-up as culinary forces from around the world come together to reimagine the buffet experience.</p><p>Two of the most compelling Filipino chefs on the global stage—<strong>Ross Magnaye</strong> (Serai, Melbourne) and <strong>Aaron Isip</strong> (Kasa Palma, Manila)—team up with celebrated pastry maven <strong>Monique Feybesse</strong> (Tarts de Feybesse, San Francisco) and Siargao-based chef<strong> Filippo Turrini</strong> (Roots) for a buffet takeover like no other.</p><p>Expect high-flavor, high-energy stations and unexpected riffs on Filipino favorites—bold, playful, and deeply personal.</p><div><em>5:30 - 10 PM Buffet Dinner Takeover </em></div><div><em>P6,000 per head includes unlimited San Miguel Premium Beers, wine, and other beverages</em></div><div><em>Kusina Sea Kitchens, Hilton Manila</em></div><div><br/></div><h2><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1754315038277World Filipino Food Congress.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></h2><h2><br/></h2><h2><strong>August 9 — World Filipino Food Congress</strong></h2><p><strong></strong>A TED-style summit with game-changing talks, panels, and debates. Key sessions include:</p><div><br/></div><ul style="list-style-type:disc"><li>Filipino Cuisine: Traditional &amp; Modern Interpretation (Le Cordon Bleu)</li><li>The Long Table: Reimagining Sustainability (CCA Manila)</li><li>Standardizing Filipino Cuisine in Culinary Education (Enderun)</li><li>Filipino Spirits &amp; Identity (Liquido Maestro)</li></ul><div><br/></div><div><em>10:00 AM – 4:00 PM </em></div><div><em>Open to chefs, restaurateurs, educators, culinary historians, key suppliers, and other industry professionals</em></div><div><em>Secret Location, Newport World Resorts </em></div><div><em>To inquire or apply: Message +63 917 568 3627</em></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17543168571533.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><h2><br/></h2><h2><strong>August 9— RISING SONS: Chef Lordfer Lalicon x Chef Danny Cancino</strong></h2><h3><strong>Hotel Okura: Orlando x Toronto in Manila</strong></h3><p>Two cities. Two chefs. One night that might just say everything about where Filipino food is going.</p><p>Chef<strong> Lordfer Lalicon</strong> of Kaya (Orlando)—the first and only Filipino restaurant awarded a Michelin Green Star—joins forces with Toronto’s Chef<strong> Danny Cancino</strong>, whose modern takes on pancit and leche flan have earned him a cult following and critical praise.</p><p>Together, they present a black tie–optional collaboration at Yawaragi, Hotel Okura’s new showpiece restaurant. Expect a six-course experience rooted in precision, tradition, and a shared belief in where Filipino food can go next.</p><div><br/></div><div><em> 6:00 — 10:00 PM Collaboration Dinner</em></div><div><em>₱10,000 per head includes San Miguel Premium Beers and wine pairing </em></div><div><em>Yawaragi, Hotel Okura, Newport World Resorts </em></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17543168775951.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><h2><strong></strong><strong>August 10 —LASA x LAHI</strong></h2><h3><strong>A Grand Tasting of the Filipino Diaspora</strong></h3><p><em>Lasa</em> means taste. <em>Lahi</em> means lineage. Together, they frame the story of Filipino food—its memory, its instinct for reinvention.</p><p>The culminating event of the International Manila Food Festival, Lasa x Lahi is a curated grand tasting that brings together chefs and creatives from the Philippines and the diaspora. Guests will explore immersive tasting stations and storytelling-driven booths that serve up heritage in bold, contemporary ways.</p><p>The crowd? A heady mix of industry insiders, design thinkers, creatives, and curious food lovers. The energy? Unapologetically forward-looking. This will be a “hungry homage to heritage.”</p><div><br/></div><div><em>5:00 — 10:00 PM Festival Finale with Grand Tasting Dinner</em></div><div><em>₱8,000 with San Miguel Premium beers, Filipino liquors and wine Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport World Resorts </em></div><div><em>Limited tickets available</em></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><h2><strong>The Lasting Impact</strong></h2><p>The true test of IMFF isn’t what’s plated in 2025, but what’s built next.</p><p>“We want to inspire the next generation of chefs to become the modern storytellers and champions of our cuisine,” says Diaz. “The success of IMFF lies in seeing everyone thrive—and most importantly, when the next generation takes the baton to elevate Filipino food to new heights.”</p><p>This isn’t just a showcase. It’s a starting point—one that invites reflection, collaboration, and a renewed pride in our food culture.</p><p>Filipino cuisine doesn’t need to be redefined overnight. But maybe this is where a new chapter begins.</p><div><br/></div><div><em>Be part of this historic first—buy your tickets at</em><a href="https://www.manilafoodfestival.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em> manilafoodfestival.com</em></a><em>. Use code IMFFMETRO10 at </em><a href="http://imff.helixpay.ph" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>imff.helixpay.ph</em></a><em> to save 10%. Follow </em><a href="https://www.facebook.com/manilafoodfestival" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>@manilafoodfestival</em></a><em> on Facebook for updates.</em></div>

<p>Everything you need to know about the first-ever International Manila Food Festival—who’s coming, what’s cooking, and why it’s a game-changer for Filipino cuisine.</p>

Everything you need to know about the first-ever International Manila Food Festival—who’s coming, what’s cooking, and why it’s a game-changer for Filipino cuisine.

International Manila Food Festival 2025: Your Epic Guide to Filipino Flavors

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International Manila Food Festival 2025: Your Epic Guide to Filipino Flavors

Troy Barrios

Published Aug 04, 2025 09:49 PM PHT

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Updated Aug 09, 2025 09:05 AM PHT

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