Cover Chef Reina Montenegro (Photo: Mogli Maureal)
Chef Reina Montenegro (Photo: Mogli Maureal)
1 / 1
Dumaguete city native chef Reina Montenegro, who now helms the eponymous vegan-friendly Filipino concept Chef Reina in California, guides us through her favourite eateries in her hometown
Born and raised in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Reina Montenegro moved to California in 1997. Having honed her skills in the kitchen, she eventually abandoned her 10-year corporate post to pursue her passion for food and cooking, launching her career as a personal chef and caterer in 2012.
Though risky, the gamble certainly paid off. Through her new catering and private dining endeavours, Montenegro’s culinary flair impressed the likes of mayors Jean Quan of Oakland and Ed Lee of San Francisco and even events for Apple, NASA, Goldman Sachs, and many more.
See also: A Taste of Home: What’s on Rowena Romulo’s Foodie Bucket List in the Philippines?
Vegan Filipino food from Chef Reina (Photo: Mogli Maureal)
1 / 3
It wasn’t until 2016 that the Dumaguete native would open the doors to her first brick-and-mortar restaurant, Nick’s Kitchen. But as a proud champion of the cruelty-free, vegan lifestyle, Montenegro soon decided to revamp the brand and turn it into a completely plant-based establishment—the first Filipino vegan restaurant in the San Francisco Peninsula. While few were sceptical about the meat-free Filipino cuisine, support for the restaurant prevailed, and Nick’s flourished into a mini-chain across the Bay Area.
Fast forward a few years and, like many others in the industry, Montenegro was faced with her biggest obstacle yet—the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than feel forced to adapt, the resolute entrepreneur saw it as an opportunity to pivot, and since launched the eponymous Chef Reina: a delivery-focused restaurant offering vegan Filipino dishes, from sisig to tocino, lechon kawali to leche flan. Eventually, Montenegro also plans to hold cooking demonstrations and events at the Brisbane, California storefront.
Learn more about chef Montenegro and her favourite eateries in her hometown of Dumaguete City, below:
See also: 9 Places To Order Ready-To-Eat Vegetarian And Vegan Food In Metro Manila
Above (Photo: Facebook / Don Robertos Bar and Restaurant)
(Photo: Facebook / Don Robertos Bar and Restaurant)
1 / 1
What do you miss most on the food/drink front when you are away from the Philippines or haven’t been back for a while?
It’s so simple, but my favourite is budbud (suman) and tsokolate.
What is the first dish you want to eat when you return, and where do you go for it?
Same as above, and I would get it from the wet market (palengke).
Do you have a favourite restaurant in the Philippines? For fine dining and for more casual experiences?
My favourite restaurant in the Philippines is called Rosante. I think they have now changed the name to Roberto’s, it’s casual dining. My favourite fine dining restaurant was Don Atilano.
If you have visitors/guests with you, where do you go to give them a real taste of the Philippines?
I would go to a restaurant called Lab-as, which I think is now called Hayahay.
See also: Craving Kakanin? Where to Order Suman in Metro Manila 2022
Do you have a favourite bar and/or café in the Philippines?
Any other must-visit food/drink spots when you are back?
My old school's cafeteria, at Silliman University. Still a classic!
Do you take any food or treats back home with you from the Philippines?
I freeze some suman or budbud and take it home with me.
Where do you go to find authentic flavours of home where you live?
Since turning vegan, I had to recreate all my childhood favourites [to make them vegan-friendly] and opened my own concept called Chef Reina. This is where I go.
NOW READ
Tatler's Ultimate Plant-Based Guide for Vegans and Vegetarians in the Philippines
A Taste of Home With Drew Barrymore's Chef, Filipina Pilar Valdes
11 Vegan Recipes for Filipino Favourites: Sisig, Adobo, and More
About
Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.
Work
As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.
For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.
Photo: Ralph Mendo
