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Fil-Am proud to represent PH with James Beard win

The Fil-Am restaurateur was hailed as California's best chef by the James Beard Foundation.

Article (news)

Steve Angeles

TFC News

<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/99a549JpLK0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>Lord Maynard Llera came to the United States 20 years ago to study culinary arts.After stops at Bestia, and The h.wood Group, the Quezon Province-born chef made his name at pop-ups and cooking out of his garage.By 2022, he opened his brick-and-mortar Kuya Lord in Hollywood, bringing him to a new title.The James Beard Foundation recognized Llera in June as California&#x27;s best chef, an award considered the Oscars of the food industry.&quot;It’s so surreal,&quot; said Llera. &quot;I did not believe I was going to win the award. I feel proud that I represented us [and]our culture.&quot;Kuya Lord has already been a popular Filipino food spot since it opened two years ago to rave reviews.But since the James Beard victory, the 28-seat restaurant has grown more popular than ever.&quot;I only dreamed of opening a Filipino restaurant in America and that&#x27;s it,&quot; said Llera. &quot;I never thought I would represent our country on this big stage.&quot;Many folks at Kuya Lord are eager to get a taste of what California’s best chef offers, especially when he uses fresh ingredients to make familiar Filipino flavors.For some Filipino foodies, seeing a chef like them win a James Beard award for serving Pinoy staples brings pride to their hearts.&quot;This is one of the best Filipino restaurants I ever visited,&quot; said Richard Ortiz, a customer.While Kuya Lord on the corner of Melrose and Western is a Hollywood hotspot, Llera, who served as culinary director of  h.wood Group, has had bigger goals since Day 1.&quot;Before I even opened this, I’ve been planning to open my second concept which is more sit-down space [with] more fine dining and elevated Filipino food,&quot; the Fil-Am restaurateur said.Llera’s team includes his wife Gigi – and sous chef Josh Simpao.As the James Beard award helps bring the Fil-Am’s plans closer to reality, Llera and his team continue to share Pinoy food with wider audiences.He will be featured at the James Beard Foundation Taste America events on July 24 in New York and Aug. 6 in Los Angeles.

The Fil-Am restaurateur was hailed as California's best chef by the James Beard Foundation.

Fil-Am restaurateur proud to represent PH with James Beard win

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Fil-Am restaurateur proud to represent PH with James Beard win

Steve Angeles,

TFC News

Published July 15, 2024 04:24 PM PHT

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Cuisine

Food

Restaurant

United States

California

Los Angeles

Filipino American

James Beard Foundation

TFC News

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