Cover Erwan Heussaff in the ‘Why is the Filipino Calamansi Being Left Behind?’ video by FEATR, nominated under the Visual Media—Long Form category for the James Beard Awards 2024
Erwan Heussaff in the ‘Why is the Filipino Calamansi Being Left Behind?’ video by FEATR, nominated under the Visual Media—Long Form category for the James Beard Awards 2024
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Discover the exceptional Filipino storytellers in the dining scene nominated for the James Beard Awards 2024
One of the most coveted recognitions in the dining scene is the James Beard Awards, and it’s back with a list of promising nominees. Following the triumph of securing two awards in 2023—namely, Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker for Margarita Manzke and Best Social Media Account for Erwan Heussaff—three Filipino names and groups try their hand at winning this time around: Filipino-American chef Abi Balingit, local video channel FEATR, and content creator Abi Marquez.
Through the ceremony, the James Beard Foundation shines a light on storytellers whose work has the transformative potential to educate, inspire, and foster connection through a shared love of food. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees on this remarkable achievement,” says the foundation’s CEO Clare Reichenbach. “Your work engenders a deeper understanding of and richer connection to each country’s food culture.”
The winners will be announced on June 8 in the Columbia College Chicago Student Center, hosted by Michelle Miller of CBS Saturday Morning. Learn more about the Philippine representatives below.
More from Tatler: Inside the Tatler Dining Awards 2024
Abi Balingit
If you’ve heard about the baking blog ‘The Dusty Kitchen’, you’re probably familiar with Abi Balingit. She came up with the name on a plane ride to JFK Airport from the Philippines. “I thought of how much I was looking forward to baking again in my small apartment in Brooklyn that I share with my three roommates,” she shared on her website. “Although we only have one window in the common space, the little rays of light that stream into the kitchen are beacons of happiness.”
Since then, Balingit has established a name in the baking scene, innovating recipes resulting in interesting delicacies like adobo chocolate chip cookies. She also got to publish a cookbook on February 28, 2023, titled Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed—a recipe guide that secured her a James Beard Awards nomination for the Baking and Desserts book category.
“Thank you so much [James Beard Foundation] for the Baking and Desserts cookbook nomination for Mayumu,” Balingit posted on Instagram. “Never in a million years would I have thought this would happen to me.”
Read more: Meet the Philippine Tastemakers of Asia’s Most Influential 2024
FEATR
Above ‘Why is the Filipino Calamansi Being Left Behind?’ by FEATR
Filipino media company FEATR is nominated in not one, but two categories at the James Beard Awards.
Founded by 2023 James Beard honouree Erwan Huessaff, the group is aiming to win under the Docuseries Visual Media category with its Philippine Salt Series, as well as under the Visual Media—Long Form category with Why Is the Filipino Calamansi Being Left Behind? and Most Expensive Chocolate in the World (Heirloom Ingredients of Negros Occidental Philippines).
“Thanks to everyone who worked with us on these stories—the people who shared their knowledge with us and the great storytellers who made these documentaries come to life,” posted both the FEATR team and Erwan Heussaff on their Instagram accounts. “It’s been truly a humbling experience to collaborate with the country’s best artisans and the hardworking Filipinos around the globe who continue to push the boundaries of Pinoy food and heritage.”
Related: Erwan Heussaff on his culinary journey, the James Beard award win, and his Filipino food advocacy
Abi Marquez
Food content creator Abi Marquez was named People’s Voice Winner in the General Social: Food & Drink Category of the 28th Webby Awards, a ceremony highlighting excellence on the Internet presented annually by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences. This time, she braves the James Beard Awards.
She secured a nomination under the Social Media Account category, an award recognising excellence in a food-related digital platform. Among her most famous recipes is fried spring rolls, making her notably known on TikTok as the ‘Lumpia Queen’.
“Another international recognition for Filipino food and talent. This is my dream,” Marquez shared on a Facebook post. “Thank you so much for allowing me to do what I love for a living. Thank you to my family and friends for the support. See you, Chicago!”
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
