Josh Boutwood

A visionary in the Philippines’ modern dining movement, chef Josh Boutwood has continually redefined how local produce, precision, and purpose converge on the plate. The British-Filipino chef first captured Manila’s attention with The Test Kitchen in 2017, a produce-driven, reservation-only concept that celebrated ingredient integrity and innovation. From there, he went on to create more restaurants like Savage and Ember, plus pop-ups like Anvil and Osteria. However, his crown jewel is Helm, an intimate 10-seater tasting menu experience that embodies his relentless pursuit of refinement.

Today, Boutwood stands as one of the Philippines’ most decorated chefs. In 2025, Helm was awarded two Michelin stars. This accolade follows his consecutive inclusion in Tatler Best Asia’s top 100 and Tatler Best Philippines Top 20 awards. On top of championing his namesake establishments, he also works daily to lead The Bistro Group as their corporate executive chef, overseeing a plethora of concepts catering to various dining categories and needs.

Between service and strategy, Boutwood still finds time to recharge through photography, music, and moments with his children—though he admits, with a grin, “I love stress. It’s addictive.” As he looks ahead, Boutwood remains focused on his team, his guests, and his ever-evolving mission: to push the boundaries of what Philippine dining can be—rooted in produce, driven by philosophy, and elevated with purpose.