Chefs and mixologists from City of Dreams Manila won 11 medals in eight categories at the 2025 Philippine Culinary Cup, held alongside the World Food Expo at the SMX Convention Center.
Now in its 15th year, the Philippine Culinary Cup is recognized as the country’s top culinary competition and is endorsed by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies. It follows international standards and brings together local and international culinary experts as judges.
Mary Anne Valderrama of Café Society took gold in the Chocolate Pastry Showpiece, while Lee Chia Lok of Season 88 won gold in the Taiwan Pork Bento and silver in the US Pork Asian Gourmet Chef Challenge. Silver medals also went to Dominic Joshua Hembrador and Mary Apple Delantar in Wedding Cakes, Paul John Zuniega in Bread Showpiece, Allan Mabras in Chocolate Pastry Showpiece, and Jiro Flora of Haliya in the Canada Beef “Back to Basics” category. She Chong Ngooi of Crystal Dragon won bronze in the Taiwan Pork Bento Box.
In the bartending competition, CenterPlay’s Arvin Philip Rallos was named champion in Flairtending, while Prince Reinner Santos placed second in the Best in Cocktail category.
City of Dreams Manila, which opened in 2015 in Parañaque, houses three hotel brands—Nüwa Manila, Nobu Hotel, and Hyatt Regency Manila—along with gaming facilities, restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues.
