MGA SIKAT AT MAGAGALING NA CHEFS NG PILIPINAS 

note : IN RANDOM ORDER

Before I became a chef I often idolize the foreign chefs before I knew the Filipino counterparts, now that I'm based here in the Philippines I trully admire the people who are the prime movers of the Philippine Culinary Industry, they created a sense of pride for the young generation of culinary professionals. 

They created the most successful restaurants that brought Filipino cuisine to a next level. Or they introduced, innovate foreign cuisine to be adoptable to the Filipino palate or VIS - A - VIS. 

I hope those not included on the list will not feel bad and in the future I will create a part 2 of the TOP FILIPINO CHEFS 

1.  VIRGILIO "BOY"TIMOLA 

He is a sous chef for the Makati Shangri la Hotel, a consistent Gold Medal winner for cold display presentations. He frequently joins on international culinary competitions like the Hong Kong Culinary Classics or the Food and Hotel Asia in Singapore. I admire this chef because he always shares secret and techniques to his colleagues. He is very down to earth and passionate on his craft. 

2.  ARIEL MANUEL 

A multi awarded chef , a seasoned culinary competitor, Chef patron of Lolo Dad's Cafe and Lolo Dad's Brasserie, His untiring passion for competition earned the distinction of the most multi awarded chef in the Philippines bringing him tons of culinary experience. He is also a very good chef patron, His Lolo Dad's Cafe is known for culinary consistency which is hard to maintain in the operation. I know he did not finish any culinary degree but he will put any degree chef to shame with his several gold with distinctions. 

3.  JESSIE SINCIOCO 

She first started as a Pastry Chef at the Intercon - Manila eventually ending at the kitchen of Le Souffle a famous fine dining restaurant in Manila, her culinary prowess earned her the respect of the culinary world dominated by men. Her style in cooking is classic being French in origin. She is a very kind lady, hard working despite her gender she works long hours and being a sole example for her staff. She is a co - author of the Kulinarya book focussing on different aspects of Filipino Cuisine. 

4.  ERNIE BABARAN 

The most famous Filipino pastry chef Philippines has ever made, a living institution on the Philippine Pastry Industry. Chef Ernie is an untiring judge in different culinary competitions judging in pastry. He is very well versed in Bakery, Confectionary, Sugar, Cake Decorating. He shares secrets for the people wanted to learn the craft. Although you really have to pay a close attention to his techniques to replicate the task that he is performing. Once dubbed as the most expensive Pastry Chef of the Philippines because Mandarin Oriental counter offer a job being offered to him abroad. He rose from the ranks before he reached the epitome of being a Baker King...

5.  ANTONIO ESCALANTE 

He apprenticed with the best chefs in the Philippines both local and expatriate particularly at the Mandarin Oriental. This chef worked his way up even though he came from a well known family in Negros. When the proper timing is correct he opened his restaurant in Tagaytay, this critically acclaimed restaurant is a consistent winner in the Miele Guide, an international guide book on the best restaurants. He practices international cuisine more often French influence with a touch of organic and sustainable cuisine. 

6.  ROBBY GOCO 

I truly admire this chef in creating HIT restaurants, having an eye for the next IT cuisine and restaurant concept. He past foray like TEQUILA JOE's and CYMA among the more establish brand, right now he is diversifying to another facet in the restaurant industry focussing on quick serve restaurant. He may be educated abroad but he is very successfull locally. A chef and entrepreneur in one not all chefs could be a good business man but he could be both having a MIDAS touch when it comes to restaurant operation. 

7.   MYRNA SEGUISMUNDO 

She may started to be a prime operator of Executive Lounge like the posh Sign of the Anvil and Restaurant 9501 by the Lopez Group, but her keen interest in cuisine cannot be questioned. Her eye and taste when it comes to food cannot be questioned. An authority both in Filipino and Classical European Cuisine led her to organize the National Food Showdown, dubbed as the UAAP of culinary arts. Here everyone is showing their best creation for the year wherein she organizes it with integrity. She Co - Authored the book about party food and Kulinarya - a guide cook book on Filipino Cuisine. 

8.   BOY LOGRO

One of the first Filipino Executive Chefs, working in the palace of the Sultan in Oman and then returning in the Philippines and eventually the Executive Chef of the Manila Diamond Hotel, his management in the kitchen is unquestionable since the Diamond is run by a Japanese Management and they are known for quality and strict standard protocol. He did not even finished a culinary degree however with his keen sense to learning he learned the ropes of the culinary industry. Right now he runs his culinary school called CLICKS. 

9.   MELCHOR TAYLO 

Also one of the first Filipino Executive Chefs, working in the Kempinski Hotel in the Middle East and then returning in the Philippines and eventually the Executive Chef of the Hotel Nikko Manila Garden, The Manila Diamind Hotel, his management in the kitchen is unquestionable since the Diamond is run by a Japanese Management and they are known for quality and strict standard protocol. He did not even finished a culinary degree however with his keen sense to learning he learned the ropes of the culinary industry. 

10.  SAU DEL ROSARIO 

He finished a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from the University of the Philippines, he became a chef and apprenticed with the best restaurants in Paris. He opened the famous Le Taxi at the Pan Pacific in Manila then eventually moving on from one hotel to another honing his craft. he found a job in Singapore eventually landing to be the Executive Chef of Raffles Hotel. When he came back it was a twist of faith that he became an instant celebrity when he opened the M Cafe at the Ayala Museum in Makati, furthermore he opened Chelsey in Serendra. Right now he is the IT chef and a celebrity endorser of famous brands of appliances and food.