Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Karen Flores

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176183766642420251030_184612.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Philippines now has 9 Michelin-starred restaurants led by Chef Josh Boutwood of Helm (center), who was awarded two stars. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — After months of anticipation, the Michelin Guide has finally unveiled its selection of restaurants in the Philippines, a move seen to boost tourism as it brings global attention to the country&#x27;s culinary scene. </p><p>Movers and shakers in local gastronomy gathered at the Grand Ballroom of Marriott Manila Hotel on Thursday, October 30, as the famed restaurant guide recognized the best dining spots from Metro Manila and other parts of the country. </p><p><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/04/05/23/an-evening-at-josh-boutwoods-reimagined-helm-in-makati">Helm</a> by celebrated Filipino-British chef Josh Boutwood emerged on top as the only establishment in the Philippines with two Michelin Stars, an honor given to restaurants with &quot;excellent cooking&quot; that are &quot;worth a detour.&quot;</p><p>The 24-seater in Makati is known for its multi-course tasting menus that show Boutwood&#x27;s creativity with pristine, mostly local, ingredients.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DNKYtsnzdeG/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=905&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A1483755.800000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Aside from Helm, Boutwood&#x27;s three other concepts also won distinctions from the Michelin Guide. Ember, Juniper, and The Test Kitchen are now among the 74 Michelin Selected restaurants from the Philippines.</p><p>&quot;It hasn&#x27;t really sunk in yet,&quot; the chef said shortly after the awarding ceremony. &quot;It&#x27;s a remarkable achievement for our team. Right now I&#x27;m just over the moon, still shaking, and a little bit emotional as well. It&#x27;s been a wonderful evening to share with all of my peers and colleagues.&quot;</p><p>When asked how he intends to celebrate his victory, Boutwood replied: &quot;A nice cold drink of champagne. I&#x27;m going back to my restaurant to celebrate with my team, and wake up tomorrow and start doing the same thing we always do: cook amazing food and execute the experience.&quot; </p><p>&quot;There&#x27;s no rest for the wicked,&quot; he declared.</p><p>Another chef who went home with multiple awards is Spanish-born Chele Gonzalez. His flagship Gallery by Chele is one of the eight restaurants in the country with one Michelin Star, which stands for &quot;high quality cooking, worth a stop.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOPviHyE3J1/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=905&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A1532382.300000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Located in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Gallery has been hailed for weaving narratives into its tasting menus, with a spotlight on sustainability. And for this reason, it is also the first and only recipient of the Michelin Green Star in the Philippines.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s really a team effort, a community effort,&quot; Gonzalez said humbly. &quot;I&#x27;m very happy that Michelin is now in the Philippines.&quot;</p><p>Gonzalez&#x27; Spanish roasting house in Cavite, Asador Alfonso, also received a Michelin Star. On top of these, his two other restaurants -- Cantabria and Enye -- are part of the Michelin Selected lineup. </p><p>Also a one Michelin Star awardee is Toyo Eatery, the Filipino fine dining gem of <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/food-travel/2025/10/3/5-chefs-from-ph-recognized-in-2025-the-best-chef-awards-in-milan-1350">Chef Jordy Navarra</a>. The Makati restaurant has consistently appeared in regional best restaurant lists for its inventive yet respectful take on Filipino cuisine. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DP0d_MUEVw5/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=905&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A1580654.6000000238%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>&quot;We&#x27;ve felt it all along that we have something to share with the world, and this (Michelin) is one platform for us to show that,&quot; said Navarra. &quot;Hopefully, the world understands more what we have in the Philippines.&quot;</p><p>Completing the Philippines&#x27; first roster of one-Michelin Star restaurants are Celera, Hapag, Inato, Kasa Palma, and Linamnam.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FabscbnNEWS%2Fposts%2Fpfbid0TpNZoF1racDwatQJHbPrnXf1JyDuTnJegg4vR722h3FwSP8FjBq2Uz8nmBiPa11yl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="773" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>A total of 108 establishments are now part of the first-ever Michelin Guide for the Philippines. </p><p>Aside from the Michelin Stars, there&#x27;s also the Bib Gourmand, a distinction given to dining spots that serve great food at reasonable prices, and the standard Michelin Selected entries. </p><p>The 25 Bib Gourmand awardees include Abaseria Deli and Cafe, Bolero, Brick Corner, Cabel, Cochi, CUR8, Em Ha Noi, Esmen, Halong, Kumba, La Pita, Lampara, Lasa, Los Tacos, Manam at the Triangle, Morning Sun Eatery, Palm Grill (Diliman), Pares Batchoy Food House, Pilya&#x27;s Kitchen, Sarsa, Some Thai, Taqueria Franco, The Pig &amp; Palm, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/9/19/makati-eats-yakitori-meets-ramen-in-2-night-the-underbird-collab-1858">The Underbelly</a>, and Your Local.  </p><p>Beyond the other concepts of Boutwood and Gonzalez, the rest of the 74 Michelin Selected restaurants include 12/10, Ablil, Aida&#x27;s Chicken, Antonio&#x27;s, ATO-AH, Aurora, Automat, Aya, Benjarong, Blackbird, Butcher Boy, Canton Road, Carmelo&#x27;s Steakhouse, Chie Chie&#x27;s Pancit Batil Patung, China Blue, Cirkulo, Coco, Cru Steakhouse, Deo Gracias, DIP, El Poco Cantina (Malate), Esmeralda Kitchen, Fong Wei Wu, Fresca Trattoria, Ginza Nagaoka, Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill, Goxo, House of Lechon, Iai, Kamakura, Kei, Kodawari (Salcedo), Lantaw (Compostela), Locavore (Taguig), Lola Helen, Lore, Lusso (Legazpi), Mamacita, Man Ho, Maya, Metiz, Mireio, Modan, Now Now, Oak and Smoke, Offbeat, Old Manila, Origine, Osteria Antica, Pablo, Papillon, Pares Pares (N. Escario Street), People&#x27;s Palace, Ramen Ron, Sala, Seva, Sialo, Socarrat, Spices, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2025/7/11/what-happens-to-cibo-chef-margarita-for-s-legacy-continues-with-son-amado-1629">Steak and Frice</a>, Summer Palace, Super Uncle Claypot, Tandem, Taupe, Terraza Martinez, Txanton, Uma Nota, Umu, and Yamazato. </p><p>Special awards, meanwhile, were given by the Michelin Guide to Don Patrick Baldosano of Linamnam (Young Chef Award), Erin Recto of Hapag (Service Award), and Benjamin Leal of Uma Nota (Exceptional Cocktails Award).</p><p>All of the establishments that made the cut were selected by anonymous Michelin Guide inspectors based on these globally applied criteria: quality of ingredients, mastery of technique, harmony of flavors, personality of the chef through the cuisine, and consistency.</p><p>&quot;This is more than a recognition. This is a call to continue innovating, sharing, and inspiring,&quot; said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, as he congratulated the first batch of winners from the Philippines.</p><p>Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, for her part, believes that the launch of the Michelin Guide in the Philippines not only celebrates the country&#x27;s cuisine, but also Filipino talent and heart. </p><p>&quot;This marks a milestone in our journey to transform tourism through culture and Filipino identity,&quot; she said. </p><p>After the awarding ceremony, guests were treated to a cocktail reception prepared by chefs of Michelin-starred establishments from around the world: Chef Guillaume Galliot of Caprice and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/8/14/when-stars-align-ph-s-margarita-fores-teams-up-with-hk-s-vicky-cheng-in-rare-four-hands-dinner-1448">Chef Vicky Cheng of VEA</a>, both in Hong Kong; Chef Darren Teoh of Dewakan in Malaysia; and <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/04/19/22/the-love-story-behind-michelin-starred-pinoy-resto-kasama">Chef Tim Flores and Chef Genie Kwon of Kasama</a> in Chicago. </p><p>They were joined by winners in the first Filipino selection: Navarra of Toyo Eatery, Chef Jamie Doe of The Pig &amp; Palm, and Abba Napa of Manam at the Triangle.</p>

<p>After months of anticipation, the Michelin Guide has finally unveiled its selection of restaurants in the Philippines, a move seen to boost tourism as it brings global attention to the country's culinary scene.</p>

After months of anticipation, the Michelin Guide has finally unveiled its selection of restaurants in the Philippines, a move seen to boost tourism as it brings global attention to the country's culinary scene.

Michelin Guide launches first-ever PH selection: 108 restaurants make the cut

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Michelin Guide launches first-ever PH selection: 108 restaurants make the cut

Karen Flores Layno,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 31, 2025 07:05 AM PHT

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Updated November 04, 2025 12:11 PM PHT

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