Chef Margarita Fores by Paco Guerrero
Cover Chef Margarita Forés by Paco Guerrero

Who are the females in the food industry that you should keep an eye out for?

Our local dining scene is bursting to life with a vengeance. With new concepts emerging, innovative new menus, fresh plans and unique perspectives from Filipino gourmands and experts in the F&B industry, the future sure is looking more delicious as the days go by. Many of these brilliant minds are confident, and savvy women who are pouring their hearts into their craft. There is no better time than now to spotlight these females working in the food industry than during International Women's Month! Follow these women’s colourful and tasty adventures all year round:

See also: 5 female trailblazers in typically male-dominated industries

1. Happy Ongpauco Tiu

This chef and restaurateur is the founder of The Happy Concept Group which houses all her brands. Under the group, she has around 10 restaurants, a catering company that takes care of events decoration needs, and a homeware brand with beautiful flatware, cutlery and accent pieces. 

Read more: The best caterers in Metro Manila

2. Miko Calo

Tatler Asia

Previously a chef under the renowned Joel Robuchon, Calo is currently a partner and executive chef of Metronome, and was named Tatler Dining’s Chef of The Year for 2022.

In case you missed it: Step inside the launch of The Tatler Dining Guide 2023

3. Margarita Forés

Tatler Asia
Chef Margarita Fores by Paco Guerrero
Above Chef Margarita Forés by Paco Guerrero

Chef Margarita Forés was Asia's Best Female Chef 2016 and is one of the country’s most esteemed culinary talents and restaurateurs. As the founder of Margarita Forés Concepts, her projects include Cibo, Lusso, Grace Park, The Loggia, and her very own in-demand catering service Cibo Di Marghi. She is also one of Tatler Asia's Most Influential Tastemakers.

In case you missed it: Tony Boy Escalante, Margarita Forés, Abba Napa and more: meet 5 pillars of the Philippine dining scene

4. Abba Napa

Tatler Asia
Abba Napa, The Moment Group
Above Abba Napa by Paco Guerrero

This stunning talent lives and breathes great food and dining experiences. Abba Napa is the creative director of The Moment Group, which holds a plethora of F&B brands under its umbrella. She is also one of Tatler Asia's Most Influential Tastemakers.

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

5. Ana De Ocampo

Ana de Ocampo is a trained pastry chef and is the co-founder and restaurateur behind the Wildflour Group which comprises Wildflour, Little Flour, Farmacy, Pinks, Wildflour Italian. She is also one of Tatler Asia’s Most Influential personalities and was named Restaurateur of the Year by Tatler Dining Guide 2022. 

Read more: Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo reveals the recipe to Wildflour's growth

6. Kim Yao

Tatler Asia
Above Photo: Wesley Villarica

This Gen T honouree is the founder of Boozy, an on-demand liquor delivery website and app, and Cloudeats, a cloud kitchen hub that services its 50-plus in-house delivery brands.

See also: Cloudeats’ Kimberly Yao on cloud kitchens and global expansion

7. Chit Juan

Chit Juan is president of the Philippine Coffee Board and has authored four books on coffee. Chit represents Slow Food South East Asia and is co-founder of ECHOstore. Chit is also one of Tatler Asia's Most Influential Tastemakers.

See also: Foodie Finds with Chit Juan, Southeast Asia councillor of Slow Food International

8. May Navarra

Tatler Asia

May is the co-owner and general manager of the acclaimed Toyo Eatery and bakery, Panaderya Toyo which she leads with her husband, chef Jordy. This duo have helped champion Filipino cuisine and continues to bring respect to our country’s culinary scene, making us foodies proud. 

See also: This Is why chef Jordy and May Navarra of Toyo Eatery are successful

9. Bettina Arguelles

Tatler Asia
Chef Bettina Arguelles, Sofitel
Above Chef Bettina Arguelles, Sofitel

This Filipina is the executive chef of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila hotel. Most head chefs of notable international hotels are foreigners and are more often than not, male, making this an especially notable feat.

Read more: Bettina Arguelles is the first Filipina executive chef of a 5-Star hotel in the Philippines

10. Cherrie Atilano

Tatler Asia
Cherrie Atilano

Cherrie Atilano is part of our Asia's Most Influential list for many reasons. She is the founder of AGREA (which strives to create a more sustainable agricultural future for our country), a global shaper for WEF (World Economic Forum), director on the board of Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, a United Nations nutrition ambassador and part of Asia's 50 Best, 50 Next list. 

Related: Cherrie Atilano represented The Philippines at The UN Food Systems Summit

11. Monica Llamas Garcia

Tatler Asia
Monica Llamas Garcia

This lady is a name to know in the local cocktail and liquor scene. She is co-founder of Bleeding Heart Rum Co., which produces the world-famous Don Papa rum. She is also co-founder of Santa Ana Gin and one of Tatler Asia’s Most Influential Tastemakers.

Read more: Diageo acquires Filipino rum brand Don Papa for €260 million

12. Quenee Villar

Chef Quenee Villar has been a professional chef for years and has refined her skillset in cooking SEA (Southeast Asian) cuisines. She is co-founder of the cloud concept Sambar which makes gorgeous takeaway meals and sauces, and is half of the celebrated culinary duo leading the kitchen at Café Aurora, one of 2023’s most anticipated restaurant openings.

See also: Café Aurora: Chefs Nicco Santos and Quenee Vilar make their comeback

13. Olivia Limpe-Aw

Tatler Asia

Olivia Limpe-Aw is the head of Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., the oldest distillery in the country which has been in her family for five generations. The group creates a plethora of local spirits that Filipinos are mighty proud of. She is also one of Tatler Asia's Most Influential Tastemakers.

Read more: 5 native Filipino liquors, spirits, and wine

14. Cristeta Pasia Comerford

Tatler Asia
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 20:  Head Chef to the UK Royal household Mark Flanagan and White House Executive Chef Cristeta Pasia Comerford attend Le Club des Chefs des Chefs dinner at Hakkasan Hanway Place on July 20, 2014 in London, England.  (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Hakkasan Hanway Place)
Above Photo: David M. Benett / Getty Images for Hakkasan Hanway Place

Cristeta Pasia Comerford is a Filipino-American chef who has spent her life cooking for American presidents. She has been the White House Executive Chef since 2005 and has worked in the kitchen for much longer. Comerford is also the first woman and the first Asian to take on this role.

See also: The best sisig in The Philippines according to top chefs

15. Tina Legarda

Tatler Asia

Chef Tina Legarda has brought Bamba Bistro into our lives for around 9 years now and boy are we thankful for that. Her comforting Spanish-Filipino cuisine has warmed our stomachs and made us happy campers. With her exciting innovations like drive-in dining with accompanying Spotify playlists, secret menu drops, and even a business class menu for Philippine Airlines, we can’t wait to find out what she reveals next. 

Read more: Nostalgic recipes with chef Tina Legarda of Bamba Bistro: pollo con mantequilla

16. Kelly Go

Tatler Asia
Kelly Go and and Auro co-founder Mark Ocampo

Tastemaker Kelly Go is the co-founder of Auro Chocolate which has stores and cafés both around the country and the globe, promoting Philippine chocolate. This brand has truly elevated how our chocolates have been produced and are exquisitely packaged too. With international collaborations, a presence in various markets, and a new flagship café at BGC, the future is looking sweet for team Auro. 

See also: How social enterprise Auro Chocolate is empowering farmers in the Philippines

17. Cheryl Tiu

You may know Cheryl Tiu as a respected food and lifestyle journalist at international media outlets, but this passioante foodie is also the founder of events and F&B platform Cross Cultures, and co-founder of Proclamation Gin.

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In Photos: The Tatler Dining Awards 2023 program
 

This article was originally published on March 08, 2022 and has since been updated on March 07, 2023. 

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