Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
After Erwan Heussaff’s victory at the 2023 James Beard Media Awards, the foundation now names the champions of its 2023 Restaurant and Chef Awards, which include three Filipino chefs.
Winning the Best Chef: Great Lakes category are Filipino-American chef Timothy Flores and his wife, chef Genie Kwon. They are praised for their work at Kasama, a Filipino restaurant based in Chicago. The category recognizes “chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities, and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions, while contributing positively to their broader community.”
Kasama’s Timothy Flores and Genie Kwon (Photo from Kasama’s website)
Last year, Kasama earned a prestigious Michelin star. It is loved by many for its creations such as Filipino breakfast and chicken and mushroom adobo, and signature drinks like the kafe-mansi and ube latte.
One of the big winners of the night is Filipino chef Margarita Lorenzana-Manzke, taking home the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker award for her culinary creations at Los Angeles-based restaurant République. This is not the first time Margarita was recognized by the foundation as she has been nominated for the James Beard Awards Outstanding Pastry Chef category for eight consecutive years.
Margarita Lorenzana-Manzke (Photo from @republiquecafebakery/Instagram)
Born and raised in the Philippines, Margarita became part of the Los Angeles food scene by working at the city’s noted restaurants, which include Patina, Spago, and Mélisse. Eventually, she and her husband and business partner, chef Walter Manzke, opened award-winning concepts in Los Angeles and became founding partners of Wildflour Cafe + Bakery in the Philippines.
Completing the list is The Quarry, a fine-dining restaurant located in Monson, Maine. Led by Filipino chef Marilou “Lulu” Ranta, the restaurant dominates the Outstanding Hospitality category, presented by American Airlines. The category puts a spotlight on “a restaurant, bar, or other food and drinking establishment that fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff, that serves as a beacon for the community, and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to its broader community.”
Marilou “Lulu” Ranta (in a black floral gown; Photo from The Quarry/Facebook)
Prior to becoming the chef and owner of The Quarry, Lulu first dreamed of having a restaurant when she was a housekeeper in Manila. After marrying Monson native William Ranta, Lulu launched a pan-Asian takeout business at the Monson General Store and attended a two-year culinary program at Eastern Maine Community College, according to The Maine Mag. In 2018, she opened The Quarry, featuring her take on “fun” dining.
The 2023 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards took place last June 5 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Established in 1990, it is considered to be the “Oscars of the culinary world,” recognizing exceptional talent in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system. To view the full list of the 2023 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards winners, click here. — John Legaspi
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Credit belongs to : www.mb.com.ph
