The Tatler Dining Guide 2023: meet the reviewers

As an entrepreneur with a hydroponic farm and an avid home cook, Cristina Cu-Seisa thrives on all things food and culture. She is a verified foodie that loves dining out with her friends at the latest and greatest spots in town.

Read more: Rain or shine: inside Cristina Cu and Tristan Seisa’s Amanpulo wedding

Macky Fah is a creative soul at heart. She is a candlemaker, fragrance producer, and jeweller too. She is the proprietor of Bijouxfäh and Fäe All Naturals, where you can find her many fragrant and stylish innovations. In her spare time, this foodie loves fitness and the outdoors; you can often find her on adventurous hikes around the globe.

See also: Skincare secrets: Macky Fäh shares her evening skincare routine

Yvette Fernandez is the chief storyteller of the Gokongwei Group. Previously she was the editor-in-chief at Town & Country magazine and Esquiremag.ph. She was also a food writer and editor at Bloomberg News in New York, and a past recipient of the grand prize of the Doreen Gamboa Fernandez food writing award.

See also: How to be a food writer

Irene Martel Francisco is the managing director of Tatler Philippines, boldly leading the entire team with elegance. Passionate about books, she is a voracious reader and an avid cyber traveller, constantly planning her next European sojourn. With a keen eye for the finer things in life, she sure does entertain with flair, and is known for putting together some of the best events in town.

Read more: Who are the must-know Filipino women in the food and drink industry?

Isabel Francisco is Tatler’s dining editor and deputy editorial director. From production to content creation, story-telling and branding remain at the core of pretty much everything she does. Crazy about (good) food, she eagerly and optimistically seeks out the best dining experiences to share with you.

More from the author: Tatler Dining's top 10 best stories of 2022

This Tatler Philippines Most Stylish awardee is seasoned in the world of fashion, having run three of her own brands ranging from apparel to fine crocodile bags. She currently co-owns Provenance Art Gallery and 8Rooms Creative Space with her husband, plus runs Sunday Morning Food Store as well.

See also: Joanna Preysler Francisco and Monica Dizon on imparting life lessons, fashion finds, and heirloom pearls

Lauren Golangco is Tatler’s dining officer. Hungry, curious, and armed with valued opinions, this writer also acts as a producer and is an integral part of the team that puts dining projects together. Read her scrumptious articles both in print and on our website.

More from the author: New restaurant: Gilbert by Australian chef James Viles, opening June 2023

This coffee-obsessed author is a staunch advocate of the Slow Food movement, an organic farmer, the president and co-chair of the Philippine Coffee Board Inc., and co-founder of sustainable lifestyle brand ECHOstore.

Read more: 6 Filipino sustainability champions you must know

Laura Lehmann was crowned Miss World Philippines 2017 where she proudly represented the country with grace. Today she is a professional TV host who loves to pamper herself with excellent meals and is always eager to try new dining experiences.

See also: What is a beauty queen’s evening skincare routine? Laura Lehmann reveals her secret

JC Cailles Lo is the founder and community leader of the Facebook group Fine Dining Club Philippines which aims to uplift the industry through this network of eager foodies. He regularly documents his food adventures on his own social media pages and also runs boutique wine shop, JC Wines.

Read more: Where to order wine 2023: 17 wine shops that deliver in Metro Manila

This brand consultant and creative director was a former fashion editor and associate publisher. Monique Madsen is now an entrepreneur, whose background in retail and e-commerce gives her a seasoned, stylish, edge. Today, she is the founder of a small content production company that specialises in digital branding and social media support.

Read more: 17 Philippine foodies to follow on Instagram right now

Miguel has been an editorial and commercial photographer for close to twenty years. While he may be known as one of the country’s best food photographers, he also skillfully captures stunning portraits, interiors, and travel scenes too.

See also: The best food photographers in the Philippines

Rocio Olbes-Ressano is a dedicated mother, philanthropist, businesswoman, and patron to the arts. She also works privately for her family’s real estate business, and is the president of The Scholarship & Community Building Foundation of the Philippines.

Read more: Skincare Secrets: Rocio Olbés-Ressano shares her evening skincare routine

Michelle leads educational transformation initiatives for Microsoft Philippines, helping Filipino learners with digital literacy and skills advancement, to better equip them for employability. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym, trying out new restaurants, and travelling with her husband and two-year-old daughter.

See also: 8 Major restaurant groups in the Philippines you need to know

Audrey Pastelero is the founder of Momzilla, Fun Nest, Milk Easy and other consumer brands that focus on supporting young parents on their parenting journey. She also has a background in events, fashion and advertising. She is the mom of three boys and wife to Carlo.

Read more: 10 of the best restaurants for date night this 2023

Arnel ‘AA’ Patawaran is a longtime lifestyle journalist, a bestselling essayist, poet, and fictionist. He is currently the lifestyle editor of Manila Bulletin and, concurrently, the editor of the cultural, literary magazine Panorama. As a journalist, he has covered the gamut of topics, from cradle to grave, F&B, travel, fashion, to personality profiles, and with a stint as a contributing editor to the Manila Bulletin news desk hardline news, too.

See also: The very extra book club recommends: Rajo Laurel, Stephanie Zubiri, Pauline Juan, Isabelle Daza & friends share their top reads

This multi-faceted mom is a phenomenal home cook who is also on the board of MovEd Foundation, and founder of European resortwear online shop Where To Find Me. She is a curious traveller who loves to eat, read and is passionate about fitness too—just last year, she even ran the New York marathon.

Read more: The best caterers in Metro Manila

Roman is a banker by day, gourmand by night, and comes from a family of epicureans too. This F&B enthusiast enjoys travelling in search of unforgettable bites, reading about cuisine, and watching shows about food.

See also: Underrated food cities for 2023, according to chefs & insiders

There isn’t much that this editor and writer shies away from sharing on her blog. Sweetest Georgia is home to her reflections on family, relationships, style and wellness, plus envy-inducing escapades in food. She is also a phenomenal baker!

Read more: The food films, dining documentaries and series to watch according to chefs

This Cebu-based foodie is a furniture designer and manufacturer specialising in finishing and fitouts for hospitality and dining spaces. Maybelline Te is fascinated by the design and functional details that affect the overall experience and seeks out the most impactful ways to transform a concept into a reality.

Read more: The Culinary Capitals of the Philippines: chef Tatung Sarthou’s guide to Cebu

When he’s not taking awe-inspiring photos for some of the biggest publications, photographer Sonny Thakur keeps himself busy as a passionate home cook. There’s a good chance you’ve been swayed by his hunger-stirring food photography.

Read more: 5 Tips to level up your food shots, sccording to a food photographer

Monique Toda is a skilled lifestyle writer with her own dedicated column. Previously, she was at the helm of marketing and PR of various international luxury hotels in the country.

See also: Skincare Secrets: Monique Toda shares her evening skincare routine

Perhaps better known through her brand Happy Tummy Travels, food and props stylist Chichi Tullao is the creative mind behind some of the mouthwatering food photography you see on social media.

See also: Foodie Finds: food stylist Chichi Tullao shares her top takeout picks in Metro Manila

Monica Floirendo Ugarte is a food and travel aficionado, dedicated to exploring and promoting her home island of Mindanao. Follow her adventures on her Instagram account @monicainmindanao.

Read more: The Culinary Capitals of the Philippines: chef Miko Calo’s guide to Agusan del Norte

Dorynna ‘Dowee’ Untivero is Tatler’s digital director, handling all matters published online, be it our website or on social media. This skilled storyteller beautifully manages the content team and writes with sophistication. On top of all that, she has a PHD in Philippine literature and is also quite the poet.

More from the author: Love & Pride: Angie and Joey Mead King speak about their marriage, acceptance, and breaking barriers

Gio Visitacion co-founded Good Cup Coffee, a brand that skilfully roasts both imported and local beans. His sophisticated palate and obsession with all things coffee has helped him forge strong bonds with local farmers and even enter the academic realm of things, educating producers on how to better develop their crop. Did we mention that he’s also a DJ?

Read more: The Good Cup Coffee: how the Cebu-based company grew in the middle of a pandemic

To say Shauna Popple Williams is intimately familiar with the local dining scene would be a gross understatement. Now a PR practitioner for luxury retailer Noble House Distribution Enterprise Inc., this verifiable foodie previously spearheaded Tatler Dining Philippines as its discerning editor.

See also: The photo booth at The Tatler Dining Awards 2023

She is editor of Tatler Homes, a professional host, and social media influencer who is passionate about travel, food, wine, and design.

The Tatler Dining Guide 2023 was made possible with the support of our co-presenter HSBC and partners, The Singleton, PickUp.Ph, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls and Shangri-la The Fort, Manila.

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