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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Food devider City of Dreams Manila named Overall Champion at PH Culinary Cup 2026

City of Dreams Manila named Overall Champion at PH Culinary Cup 2026

The resort's 17-chef team takes home 15 medals across 13 categories

Published Aug 16, 2026 10:56 pm
City of Dreams Manila’s culinary team celebrates its Overall Championship win at the Philippine Culinary Cup 2026, recognizing the talent and teamwork behind the resort’s continued culinary achievements. (Photo: City of Dreams)
City of Dreams Manila’s culinary team celebrates its Overall Championship win at the Philippine Culinary Cup 2026, recognizing the talent and teamwork behind the resort’s continued culinary achievements. (Photo: City of Dreams)
City of Dreams Manila emerged as Overall Champion in the Professional Division of the 2026 Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC), besting 52 teams from hotels, restaurants and catering services.
The four-day, 16th edition of the competition was held alongside the World Food Expo (WOFEX) at the SMX Convention Center. The win adds to City of Dreams Manila's record at the competition, where it has earned culinary honors since 2016.
The resort's 17-chef delegation, drawn from its restaurants, pastry and banquet kitchens, competed in 13 categories and brought home 15 medals: one Highest Gold, one Gold, nine Silver and four Bronze.
Among the top performers was sous chef Lee Chia Lok, who won Highest Gold in the Asian Gourmet Challenge and Bronze in the Art of Dim Sum. Lee is sous chef at Season88, the 24/7 dining room and lounge at the main gaming floor, which serves Asian and international cuisine.
From Crystal Dragon, the resort's Cantonese restaurant, dim sum chef de cuisine Ngooi She Chong won Bronze in the Art of Dim Sum, while sous chef Zhang He earned Silver in the Asian Gourmet Challenge.
Banquet chef de partie Rier Maverick Franco earned Gold in U.S. Beef and four Silver medals in the Creative Breakfast Challenge, US Lamb, US Pork and Pasta categories. Pastry chef de cuisine Julius Javin also won Silver in Dress the Cake and received the "Best Creation 2026" special recognition from Whippit by Bakersfield.
Pastry commis chef Enrique Ferrer received Silver in the French Touch Challenge-Pastry competition. From The Café, commis chef Angelyka Garin won Bronze in U.S. Pork, while commis chefs Danica Millete, Ricky Alto and Ma. Erika Monique Alfonso earned Bronze in the Dream Team Challenge.
Haliya modern Filipino restaurant's sous chef Jiro Flora and chef de partie Nikki Raquion won Silver in the Filipino Cuisine Challenge. Together with commis chef Emylene Montesines, they also earned Silver in the Dream Team Challenge.

City of Dreams Manila also earned recognition in the beverage category at WOFEX. CenterPlay bartender Justin Dela Cruz won Silver in the DaVinci Gourmet Coffee Cocktail Showdown for his cocktail entry.
“This distinction is a proud recognition of our chefs’ creativity, discipline and commitment to their craft. Our team has earned consistent accolades at the Philippine Culinary Cup through the years, reflecting the depth of talent we continue to nurture. More importantly, our colleagues bring the same passion and exacting standards to our kitchens every day, strengthening City of Dreams Manila’s position as one of the country’s leading dining destinations,” said property president Geoff Andres.
The Philippine Culinary Cup is the country's only culinary competition approved by the World Association of Chefs' Societies (WORLDCHEFS). The 2026 competition brought together more than 1,000 chefs from hotels, restaurants and culinary and hospitality schools, with participants competing across various culinary disciplines before a panel of 60 local and international chef-judges.

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