Grace Libero

MetroStyle Interview With Filipina Pastry Chef Jessica Panoy From Viu Original "Bite Me Sweet"

Article (news)

<p><strong></strong>Filipinos are making waves abroad in various fields. One of the recent names to represent the Philippines in a global competition was Cavite-born Filipina pastry chef <strong>Jessica Panoy</strong>, who competed in the<strong> Viu
Original</strong> food reality series <strong><em>Bite Me Sweet</em></strong><strong></strong>. </p><p>Blending the entertainment and food scenes,  <strong>Studio CR</strong>&#x27;s 10-episode series brought together five leading female pastry chefs from Southeast Asia and five Korean celebrities (<strong>Lee Sae-on</strong>, <strong>Sung Seung-ha</strong>, <strong>Cha
Joo-wan</strong>, <strong>Bae Min-ki</strong>,<strong></strong><strong></strong> and <strong>Lim Sung-kyu</strong>) <strong></strong>who are paired into two-member teams to compete in a high-pressure dessert survival challenge inspired by Korean snack culture. The Philippines&#x27; Jessica Panoy was paired with Bae Min-ki.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong></strong></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779171319865Bite Me Sweet Program Group Shot (2).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" spellcheck="false">(From left, back row: Lim Sung-kyu, Bae Min-ki, Lee Sae-on, Cha Joo-wan, Sung Seung-ha, and host Yoon Shi-yoon; From left, front row: Jan Yu from Hong Kong, Jessica Panoy from the Philippines, Lin Lin from Malaysia, Jan Nichcha from Thailand, and Luvita Ho from Indonesia | Photo courtesy of Viu Philippines</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Highlighting culinary techniques alongside a fun, engaging storytelling, <em>Bite Me Sweet </em>shows a delectable mix of food, culture, and hints of romantic flavors, serving as the perfect ingredients for a binge-worthy series. </p><p>Throughout the different stages of the competition, creativity shone in the way the contestants incorporated Southeast Asian flavours with Korean snack influences.</p><p>The winning team earned the opportunity to launch a<strong> <em>Bite Me Sweet</em> pop-up store</strong> in <strong>Singapore</strong>, taking the show beyond the screen into a real-world consumer experience that connects entertainment, lifestyle, and audience engagement. Produced by Studio CR, the 10-episode series marks a key addition to Viu’s growing slate of original reality and lifestyle programming created for regional and global audiences.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nKJOYqBEXUg?si=s1M3oEC2B97vhxFf" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Jessica began baking at 12 and went on to train and work in top kitchens in Manila before expanding her craft in <strong>Melbourne</strong>, where she now specializes in bespoke desserts and gelato.</p><p>In an exclusive interview with <strong>Metro.Style</strong>, Jessica talked about how her love for baking began, the pivotal moment in her career, her experience representing the Philippines through <em>Bite Me Sweet</em>, and more. </p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779173005089Jessica Panoy Viu Bite Me Sweet 2.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Please briefly share how your love for baking started.</strong></div><p>&quot;My love for baking started when I was young, spending time in the kitchen with my mom. I first taught myself when I was 12 by watching YouTube videos and reading books, and then I started selling baked goods to my family and friends. I love seeing how my cakes make people happy and knowing that my desserts become part of their special moments and memories. What started as a simple hobby eventually became my passion and career.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What pastries did you love growing up?</strong></div><p>&quot;I’m always a fan of sans rival. I love the crunchy and chewy texture of the meringue, the buttery and cashew flavor of it. I also love <em>pan de coco</em>, <em>bibingka</em>,<em></em> and <em>ensaymada</em>. So comforting and nostalgic.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What do you consider your specialty?</strong></div><p>&quot;My specialty is creating bespoke desserts. I love incorporating unique ingredients and different textures to create desserts that feel thoughtful, balanced, and memorable.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779173280586Jessica Panoy Viu Bite Me Sweet 1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>What is a pivotal moment in your career? </strong></div><p>&quot;I initially took Engineering when I was in college. A pivotal moment in my career was when I realised engineering wasn’t making me happy. My dad saw how passionate I was about food and encouraged me to follow it fully, giving me the support to leave my engineering course and study culinary arts instead. That decision completely changed my life and became the start of my journey as a pastry chef.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>If your journey as a pastry chef is a gelato flavor, what would it be and why?</strong></div><p>&quot;I’d say <em>ube</em> gelato because it represents my Filipino roots. Just like my journey, <em>ube</em> started as something familiar and local, and now it is being recognised internationally. From the Philippines to Melbourne and Korea, it reflects how my passion as a pastry chef has grown and reached places I never imagined.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>How did you land the stint on <em>Bite Me Swee</em><em>t</em>, and what was your reaction upon learning about it?</strong></div><p>&quot;The casting producer reached out to me on Instagram. At first, I thought it might not be real, but after replying and seeing the project details, I realized it was real. I was shocked, excited, and honestly so grateful because I never imagined I’d get the chance to represent the Philippines in an international dessert competition like <em>Bite Me Sweet.</em>&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1779173523330EP02 Still (Jessica &amp; Minki).png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><em></em></div><div><strong>Describe the feeling of representing the Philippines in this show through a dessert. Why so?</strong></div><p>&quot;I’d describe it as <em>halo-halo</em>. A mix of emotions, experience, and memories all coming together in one dessert. I felt proud, nervous, excited, and grateful all at the same time. Just like<em> halo-halo</em>, representing the Philippines in the show was colorful, emotional, and deeply connected to my identity and culture.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Were there ways you felt your Filipino-ness shone through as you were filming?</strong></div><p>&quot;Yes, definitely. I felt my Filipino-ness shine through in how I work and connect with people, being warm, collaborative, and always bringing positive energy in the kitchen.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What did you find most challenging about the competition?</strong></div><p>&quot;One of the most challenging parts of the competition was incorporating new flavors and Korean ingredients into my desserts. It pushed me out of my comfort zone creatively, with ways to balance flavors and tell stories through dessert.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>What is the sweetest memory you’re taking from the whole experience?</strong></div><p>&quot;The sweetest memory was being with the other Southeast Asian contestants, sharing our cultures, stories, and food. It was special being able to show my Filipino warmth and attitude while connecting with people from different backgrounds through desserts. Also, I got to work with &#x27;Wild Sexy&#x27; Oppa [Bae Min-ki].&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong><em>Bite-watch </em></strong><a href="https://www.viu.com/ott/ph/en/vod/3043446/Bite-Me-Sweet" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Bite Me Sweet on Viu</em></strong></a><strong><em> now!</em></strong></div>

<p>Cavite-born Filipina pastry chef Jessica Panoy represented the Philippines in a global competition via the Viu Original food reality series "Bite Me Sweet." Get to know her better in this exclusive, and "bite-watch" the series' episodes now!</p>

Cavite-born Filipina pastry chef Jessica Panoy represented the Philippines in a global competition via the Viu Original food reality series "Bite Me Sweet." Get to know her better in this exclusive, and "bite-watch" the series' episodes now!

Filipina Pastry Chef Jessica Panoy on Her Experience Competing in 'Bite Me Sweet,' a Global Food Reality Series

People

Fashion

Beauty

Wellness

Travel

Culture

Living

Food

Weddings

People

Filipina Pastry Chef Jessica Panoy on Her Experience Competing in 'Bite Me Sweet,' a Global Food Reality Series

Metro.Style

Published May 19, 2026 03:05 PM PHT

|

Updated May 19, 2026 03:18 PM PHT

Read More:

People

Jessica Panoy

Viu Original

Bite Me Sweet

Pastry

Chef

Metro.Style is your go-to destination for all things chic and stylish—featuring the latest in fashion, beauty, lifestyle, celebrity news, and inspiring stories. It's your curated guide to living your best life.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.