Cover The main cast of ‘Replacing Chef Chico’. (From left) Sam Milby, Alessandra de Rossi, and Sam Milby
The main cast of ‘Replacing Chef Chico’. (From left) Sam Milby, Alessandra de Rossi, and Sam Milby
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Let the feast begin! Take a look at the festivities commemorating the historic premiere of Netflix’s first Filipino original series
Netflix Philippines celebrated the much-anticipated premiere of its first original series, Replacing Chef Chico, last November 23. Jam-packed and well-attended by over 800 guests, the day was filled with fun activities—from interviews with the star-studded cast and creatives behind the show to an exclusive advanced screening.
Headed by stars Piolo Pascual, Alessandra de Rossi, and Sam Milby, the series promises a feast for the eyes and a newfound appreciation for the art of Filipino cuisine, considered widely underrepresented in mainstream media.
The first Filipino-produced Netflix original series premiered the following day, ushering in rave reviews and praise for spotlighting Filipino food.
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Above (From left) Stars Milby, De Rossi and Pascual talk about the
Above Director Dan Villegas and showrunner Antoinette Jadaone
(From left) Stars Milby, De Rossi and Pascual talk about the
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De Rossi stars as a devoted sous-chef bent on keeping a Filipino restaurant called Hain afloat when the head chef (played by Milby) falls into a coma. Pascual plays a business consultant assigned to keep an eye on the staff. This marks a second collaboration between De Rossi and Pascual following their highly successful Netflix film My Amanda (2021). The series is directed by Dan Villegas, with Antoinette Jadaone as the showrunner.
De Rossi and Milby undertook a one-week culinary training course in preparation for their roles. At the press conference, Milby expressed his newfound gratitude for individuals in the restaurant industry, citing how gruelling and demanding a chef’s career can be. “Now that we have this platform, we can be proud of Filipino cuisine,” says Milby.
Above Over 800 fans were in attendance at the landmark event
Above Milby greets fans and admirers at the red carpet premiere of 'Replacing Chef Chico'
Over 800 fans were in attendance at the landmark event
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To recreate the busy, behind-the-scenes kitchen environment of an upscale restaurant, Jadaone and Villegas researched by watching YouTube cooking channels and interviewing real-life male and female chefs. Jadaone explains the creative choice to highlight the culture of Filipino cuisine:
“We love Filipino food because, in our culture, we eat it with the people we love. Every episode features Filipino food like laing, adobo and kare-kare. There’s a story with every dish. You’re not just a viewer, you’re a guest of the restaurant.”
More from Tatler: Forgotten fruit: paying homage to the delicious Philippine fruits ripe with nostalgia
Above Host Janeena Chan and members of the cast pose with three lucky fans
Host Janeena Chan and members of the cast pose with three lucky fans
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Hundreds of fans witnessed the red carpet and fan event held at Glorietta Activity Centre. The festivities were attended by stars and influences like Maja Salvador, Catriona Gray, Empoy Marquez, Kakai Bautista, Arci Muñoz and Liza Soberano. A few fans were fortunate enough to join in an interactive game that allowed them to interact personally with the cast onstage.
Rounding off the night, an exclusive screening of the show’s first two episodes was held at Glorietta Cinemas 6 and 7.
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Credits
Images: Courtesy of Netflix Philippines
About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
