Guevarra’s by Chef Laudico presents the second installment of Taste of the Philippines: A Global Culinary Journey, a series of culinary celebrations shining a spotlight on Filipino talent and rich cultural heritage. This year, the focus is on elevating Filipino desserts, showcasing its global potential with a creative blend of traditional flavors and rich, contemporary techniques. Renowned chefs Jac Laudico and Chef Abi Balingit join forces to reimagine classic Filipino sweets with a modern twist.
In this edition, Taste of the Philippines champions Filipino desserts and pastries as they capture the essence of both Filipino history and culinary creativity. From decadent sweets to glutinous rice cakes, these dishes are a beloved part of Filipino culture, evoking nostalgic memories of family kitchens and vibrant street corners—both rural and urban.
“Our unique history, shaped by over 300 years of Spanish influence, has given rise to a cuisine unlike any other in the region,” says Chef Jac Laudico. “Our breads, pastries, and desserts are a delightful fusion of European tradition adapted to Filipino tastes. With Latin-influenced sweets and Southeast Asian-inspired delicacies rich with coconut, rice, corn, and local fruits, Filipino desserts are ready to be embraced by theinternational market.”
Chef Jac Laudico teamed up with New York-based baker, author, and 2024 James Beard Emerging Voice Award winner, Chef Abi Balingit, to present a selection of Filipino-American desserts from her debut cookbook, Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed and her acclaimed food blog, The Dusky Kitchen. The collaboration was made possible by Raine Cabral Laysico of Masterplan Global and nutribullet Philippines. Masterplan Global’s advocacy is to promote everything Filipino on the global stage. Chef Jac and Chef Abi have the shared vision of reinventing Filipino desserts to appeal to both local and international markets.
As part of the event, Chef Laudico and Chef Balingit demonstrated their signature Filipino desserts, offering guests a live cooking experience that emphasizes key flavors, techniques, and cultural influences. Featured desserts included Halo-Halo Baked Alaska, Adobo Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Thai TeaKutsinta—incredible reinterpretations of Filipino favorites. These delicious creations will also be available as part of Guevarra’s buffet selection throughout March 2025.
“This collaboration will highlight Abi’s unique approach to Filipino-American desserts into Guevarra’s traditional Filipino menu,” Chef Laudico shares. “The dishes showcased, which are featured in Abi’sJames Beard-awarded book, reflect a fresh and exciting take on Filipino flavors. We’re thrilled to have
these desserts as part of our offering.”
Taste of the Philippines: A Global Culinary Journey is an ongoing series of food talks, cooking demonstrations, Q&A sessions, and tastings designed to support Guevarra’s mission of promoting Filipinotalent and fostering a deeper appreciation for the richness of Filipino cuisine and culture. With the overwhelming success of the second edition, the initiative will continue to explore the stories behind each dish and reveal the vibrant flavors that define Filipino food in its succeeding iterations.
“We’re committed to promoting Filipino cuisine and inviting chefs from around the world to share their stories and culinary techniques,” says Chef Laudico. “We’re excited to create an event that not only celebrates Filipino chefs abroad but also allows their families and friends to experience their creations. This is just the beginning of a culinary adventure that will elevate Filipino food to the global stage.”
Guevarra’s by Chef Laudico x the Dusky Kitchen: Taste of the Philippines was made possible by nutribullet Philippines: powering Filipino flavors worldwide; Masterplan Global: connecting people, transforming lives; Marco Polo Hotel Ortigas: our hotel partner; Anthony Santos of Fly to Asia, and Angels Over Us.