Daven Tamayo

Healthy food can be delicious, and this chef's Michelin star-quality eats are proof

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/174292283939520250313_132933.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Chef Heinz Beck in Manila. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Chef Heinz Beck in Manila. <em>Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News</em> </span></span></span></div><p>When an acclaimed chef is in town to serve dinner, it&#x27;s not an opportunity you&#x27;d want to pass up.</p><p>Heinz Beck of La Pergola, Rome&#x27;s only 3 Michelin-starred restaurant, was recently brought to Manila by Solaire Resort Entertainment City as part of its 12th anniversary celebrations. </p><p>He prepared an exquisite 6-course dinner at Solaire&#x27;s Finestra restaurant from March 14 to 16, completing the luxury resort&#x27;s star chef lineup (the two others were Japan&#x27;s Jun Yukimura and Singapore-based Sun Kim).</p><p>German-born Beck is considered one of the masters of gastronomy in the world--obviously, all of us guests knew we were in for a treat. Despite this, his dishes still exceeded our expectations, with standouts including the hearty pumpkin risotto topped with a generous amount of shaved black truffle; and the gorgeous red fruit ice sphere with tea cream and crystallized raspberries. </p><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/174292289741620250313_125135.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Pumpkin risotto with amaretti, artichokes, balsamic vinegar, and black truffle. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pumpkin risotto with amaretti, artichokes, balsamic vinegar, and black truffle. <em>Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News</em> </span></span></span></div><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/174292295297920250313_130531.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Pistachio-crusted veal with dried fruits. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Pistachio-crusted veal with dried fruits. <em>Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News</em> </span></span></span></div><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/174292300453720250313_131947.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Red fruit ice sphere with tea cream and crystallized raspberries. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Red fruit ice sphere with tea cream and crystallized raspberries. <em>Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News</em> </span></span></span></div><p>But beyond his delightful flavor and texture combinations--which he definitely delivers in spades--Beck wants to highlight the health aspect of food in his dishes. </p><p>He firmly believes that food should not only be delicious but also nourishing, seeing it as a form of medicine that can help keep us in tip-top shape. &quot;The health part of the food is as important as the enjoyment of it,&quot; the chef stressed. </p><p>Beck has made it his mission to create Michelin star-quality healthy menus, removing non-essential ingredients and using nutritious alternatives. </p><p>This was also evident in our meal--antioxidants from the crushed chocolate sprinkled on top of the marinated amberjack; and the green gazpacho packed with vitamins from avocado and green and yellow bell peppers, and protein from the scampo (langoustine).</p><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/174292308585620250313_120755.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Marinated amberjack with celeriac in sea water and oxidized chocolate. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Marinated amberjack with celeriac in sea water and oxidized chocolate. <em>Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News</em> </span></span></span></div><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/174292327873720250313_121934.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Scampo with sweet peppers and green gazpacho. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Scampo with sweet peppers and green gazpacho. <em>Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News</em> </span></span></span></div><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/174292363760020250313_123633.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sedanini pasta with red shrimps, smoked aubergine coulis, and croutons. Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sedanini pasta with red shrimps, smoked aubergine coulis, and croutons. <em>Karen Flores Layno, ABS-CBN News</em> </span></span></span></div><p>&quot;Avocado is very rich in fat and also vitamins,&quot; noted Beck. &quot;That&#x27;s why I always use a plant fat, not one coming from animals. Because animal fat is not good for our blood vessels, not good for the heart.&quot; </p><p>&quot;All this research that I&#x27;m doing is going into my cooking,&quot; added the chef, who has published books focusing on blood pressure and healthy eating.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s important to consider what we are serving,&quot; he ended, hoping to show by example that top-end cuisine can be healthy.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/2/18/michelin-guide-starts-evaluating-ph-restaurants-for-2026-edition-1357">Michelin Guide starts evaluating PH restaurants for 2026 edition</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/wellness/nutrition/healthy-filipino-dishes-with-vegetables/36030">The Nutritious World of Filipino Food: How to Pair Your Veggies</a></div>

<p>Acclaimed chef Heinz Beck of the 3 Michelin-starred La Pergola in Rome was recently in Manila as part of the 12th anniversary celebrations of Solaire Resort Entertainment City.</p>

Acclaimed chef Heinz Beck of the 3 Michelin-starred La Pergola in Rome was recently in Manila as part of the 12th anniversary celebrations of Solaire Resort Entertainment City.