Here are some of the latest food and beverage developments, from Filipino-Chinese heirloom dishes and weekly wine dinners to new lunch deals and a national bartending champion.
Marriott Café spotlights Tsinoy heirloom cuisine
Chef Sharwin Tee and his dishes Hong Ti Ka, Tao Meng Tsai, and Diok Pit He. Handout
Filipino-Chinese culinary traditions take center stage at Marriott Café as chef Sharwin Tee leads the latest edition of Sinagtala Famsgiving, a kitchen takeover featuring heirloom dishes shaped by generations of Tsinoy families.
Launched as part of Manila Marriott Hotel’s two-month MOONFEST celebration, the series features Tee’s interpretations of traditional Filipino and Chinese-Filipino dishes and explores how recipes have evolved through cultural exchange and family traditions.
Sinagtala Famsgiving is a spin-off of the Sinagtala Philippine Culinary Arts Cup, a culinary competition launched by Marriott International in the Philippines in 2025. The program brings together Marriott chefs from around the country to showcase Filipino heritage dishes, with the aim of documenting core local recipes for the hotel group’s global property database.
The latest edition follows an April collaboration with chef Miguel “Miggy” Moreno, which highlighted the culinary traditions of Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
The Tsinoy heirloom cuisine edition is available every Wednesday and Thursday this September at Marriott Café. The buffet is priced at P3,399 net per person. Manila Marriott Hotel is part of Newport World Resorts.
World Cellar makes wine dinners a weekly affair
Wine dinner with Chef Kevin Villarica. Handout
World Cellar at World Kitchens in Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City, has turned its Wine Dinner series into a weekly event, pairing selected wines with menus prepared by chefs from the dining concepts at World Kitchens.
The September lineup includes Jade Table by Chef Peng of 18 Jade on Sept. 5; a Filipino degustation by chef Jessie Sincioco on Sept. 12; Tide & Terrain by chef Oliver Buenviaje of Seafood 8 by Olio’s on Sept. 19; and Vino y Fuego by chef Gale Tan Sun of Asador de Manila on Sept. 26.
The series complements World Cellar’s Friday Wine 101 classes. The wine shop carries around 4,000 bottles representing approximately 400 labels.
Araneta City launches weekday lunch festival
More than 60 restaurants across Araneta City are taking part in the Araneta City Lunch Festival, offering weekday lunch sets starting at P399.
Running Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the festival features lunch sets that include an appetizer and main course. Participating establishments include restaurants across Araneta City’s malls, including Le Bistro at ibis Styles Manila Araneta City and concepts at World Kitchens.
The offer is available for dine-in guests.
El Pollo Loco brings back Go Loco Deals
El Pollo Loco has launched the third season of its Go Loco Deals, allowing diners to mix and match an appetizer and entrée with iced tea.
Available at all El Pollo Loco locations, the promotion includes appetizers such as Loaded Fries, Chips and Salsa, and Cheesy Corn Chowder. Entrée choices include Breaded Porkloin, Chipotle Chicken Bites and Grilled Pork BBQ.
The new Fire-Grilled Chicken with Cilantro Sauce and Corn is also available as an entrée option, featuring the chain’s fire-grilled chicken topped with cilantro sauce and served with corn.
Newport bartender wins Espolòn Cocktail Fight
Newport World Resorts’ Edu Zamora crowned Espolòn Tequila Cocktail Fight champion. Handout
Edu Zamora, head of mixology at Newport World Resorts, won the Philippine leg of the Espolòn Tequila Cocktail Fight on Aug. 17, earning the chance to represent the country at the competition’s world championship in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Zamora emerged from a field of nearly 100 bartenders after a series of challenges testing sensory awareness, pouring precision, cocktail knowledge, creativity, speed and service.
He and Jezza Solano of The Whisky Library at Newport World Resorts advanced to the top eight after a blind nosing challenge, free-pour precision test and Grand Margarita preparation race.
Zamora previously represented Singapore in an international bartending competition. This time, he will represent the Philippines at the global finals.
The Newport World Resorts contingent also included Raymart Besmonte and Vanessa Mae Daroca of Casa Buenas and Christopher Rey of Sonata Lounge.