1 October 2026

Michelin Ceremony in Photos Part 2: Chefs and Plates

Frames with the chefs and everything I ate that night

The foyer of the Grand Ballroom at Manila Marriott Hotel was loud. It was a cacophony of reporters doing pocket interviews, social media personalities capering around the room, Philippine culinary stalwarts and restaurateurs, and chefs without kitchen sweat slapping each other’s backs as they anticipated celebration in a few moments. 

I snuck into the Michelin vignette for a moment, taking in its brief timeline, tiering of stars and non-starred restaurants, what makes a dish Michelin-worthy, and finally, its stop in the Philippines.

I am beaming inside.

The Michelin pre-game was in full swing. Trays of canapés and long-stemmed cocktails weaved through the hall among the Filipiñana-attired guests. I ran into a friend; we did a quick hi and selfie, and we rushed about our ways. Bibendum, the star of the moment, was holding court by the photo wall. A trio of singers with live music kept the energy up.

The night opened with an impressive dance performance, followed by formal addresses from prominent figures, recognitions of Selected and Bib Gourmand establishments, and the awarding of the starred restaurants. The full list is here.

Michelin-starred chefs were flown in to cater the after-awards party. The number of guests eventually dwindled, but the food and drinks didn’t stop. Here are a few photos I took with the chefs and of everything I ate that night.

Click any photo to view it larger and browse through the gallery.

CHEF, PHOTO PLEASE!

Three individuals pose together at an event, with one holding a drink. They are dressed in chef attire, with two chefs wearing white jackets and grey aprons, and the third person in a stylish black jacket and blue dress.
Chef Tim Flores & Chef Genie Kwon, 1-star Michelin Guide Chicago 2025. Note that Kasama elevated to 2 stars in 2026.  I told them I moved to Louisiana a few years back, and she said that she was born in New Orleans. They told me to hit them up if I am in Chicago for a proper Kasama meal.  I’d like to think it was almost a pinky promise. 
Two individuals smiling together in a vibrant event space, one wearing a chef's coat and the other in a stylish dress.
Tausug Chef Miggy Moreno champions the Southern Mindanaoan culture
Three individuals pose together at an event. One person on the left has short hair and is wearing a gray outfit, the middle person is a chef in a white chef jacket, and the person on the right is wearing a black top with a blue skirt.
We had lunch at his restaurant earlier that day. His restaurants, Palm Grill and Cabel both received the Bib Gourmand Recognition.
Two smiling individuals posing for a photo in front of a large, colorful backdrop featuring images and QR codes related to a culinary event.
Chef Darren Teoh of Dewakan, 2-star Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur | Penang 2025.  I told him the Laksa was so good; I didn’t mean to be greedy, but I confessed to having two.  And he pulled me to his station and said, I need to have a third one haha. 
Two chefs posing together at a formal event, smiling for the camera. The backdrop features names of other chefs associated with the Michelin Guide.
The seemingly timid Chef JP Cruz of Inatô (meaning My/Our Way). I have yet to try the now one-starred restaurant 🙂
Two individuals pose for a photo at an event, smiling. One is wearing a black and blue outfit with a necklace, and the other is in a black t-shirt and dark jeans.
I got to eat at Toyo Eatery before it had a star. Chef Jordy exudes humility.  And I like to emphasize what his shirt says: Mata sa Langit, Paa sa Lupa (Eyes Towards the Sky, Feet on the Ground). 
A woman in a black professional outfit smiles next to a man in a white chef's jacket, both posing for a photo at an event with a large screen display behind them.
Chef Vicky Cheng was kind amidst the chaos of the night and urged me to go visit the one-starred Vea in Singapore. 
A chef in a white coat and glasses poses alongside a woman in a stylish black outfit, both smiling in front of a brightly lit stage with a flower logo.
A quick photo in the midst of his content creation après ceremonies, Chef Chele Gonzáles of Asador Alfonso & Gallery by Chele, both one starred. Gallery is also Green-starred.
Two women posing for a photo at an event, one wearing a black dress with fringes and the other in a blue pleated outfit, both smiling.
I have been to Manam a few times, never disappointed but never at the Bib Gourmand-designated location at the Triangle, until a few days later.  As stunning a restaurateur Abba Napa of Manam is, so is her food – delicious and confident. 

FOOD I ATE THAT NIGHT

A plate featuring a crispy, deep-fried item resembling a fish or chicken, served on a leaf with shredded meat and pink onion slices.
TOYO: Hipon sa Buro, Fried shrimp, mustard leaf,
burong alamang, burong pajo,
pickled red onion, salted egg.
Fried Kalkag
A hand holding a small, circular, purple dessert topped with a green leaf, placed on a white dish against a dark background.
CAPRICE: Chicken Pita Bread
Marinated chicken, garam masala,
pita bread
A hand holding a hot dog in a bun, topped with diced vegetables and garnishes, with a decorative carpet in the background.
KASAMA: Chicago style hot dogs
Neon green relish, tomato, onion,
yellow mustard pickle,
and celery salt
A plate containing a donut covered in red and dark crumbly topping, with a hole in the center.
TOYO: Tsoko Bicho
Egg, milk, flour, raw sugar, butter
A hand holding a partially bitten chocolate donut above a small plate, with a decorative napkin underneath.
AFTER THE BITE: Tsoko Bicho
Egg, milk, flour, raw sugar, butter
A person's hand holding a plate with a wrapped food item made of bamboo leaves, revealing a portion of rice topped with sauce and herbs.
TOYO: Silog sa Pusô
Silog rice, lechon paksiw,
suka pork sausage, egg yolk
A hand holding a glass with a colorful drink, featuring a red garnish resembling a ribbon, set against a patterned background.
DEWAKAN: Slivers of Beef with Keranji
Pounded beef, mussel emulsion,
grilled greens, keranji leather,
garum paste, selom soup
A person holding a half-open oyster topped with diced onions and herbs, set against a decorative patterned background.
PIG & PALM: Gillardeau Oyster
Gillardeau oyster, fennel,
apple, dill
Close-up of glasses with sparkling wine on a table adorned with roses and small gourmet dishes, with people socializing in the background.
A hand holding a shot glass filled with a brown drink topped with caramel popcorn, placed next to a small dish containing a fried food item, alongside a QR code sign asking to scan it to view an e-booklet, with floral decoration in the background.
MANAM: (LEFT) Our Champrado Glutinous rice, dried dulong,
cocoa, cashew nuts, fish sauce
A person holding a small cup with a dipping sauce and a golden brown spring roll on top, with a decorative patterned background.
KASAMA: Lumpiang chicago
braised beef and hot giardiniera
fried in a lumpia wrapper
A hand holding a small glass cup containing a creamy dessert, next to a small plate with a fried food item, on a dark table surface.
MANAM: Sisig ni Manam
Japanese rice, sisig meat,
sisig sauce, chicken liver,
onion, chili, fried garlic,
manam 411 seasoning
A person's hand holding a slate platter with five small bowls of Laksa Selangor topped with herbs and garnishes, alongside a card describing the dish.
DEWAKAN: Laksa Selangor
Laksa broth, condiments,
glass noodle Marriott, tapai ubi,
torch ginger flower, lime leaves,
coriander, lobster
Sign describing Laksa Selangor dish, including ingredients such as Laksa broth, glass noodles, lobster, and condiments.
A hand holding a small cup of soup garnished with cilantro and shrimp, set against a patterned floor.
DEWAKAN: Laksa Selangor
Laksa broth, condiments,
glass noodle vermicelli, tapai ubi,
torch ginger flower, lime leaves,
coriander, lobster
A plate with shredded meat, rice, and a small bowl of orange sauce.
Not sure but this looks like truffle-rice stuffed lechon
A hand holding a glass filled with green liquid topped with a cone-shaped pastry and a piece of chocolate.
DEWAKAN: Soft Serve of Banana Leaf Ice cream
A hand holding a small dish containing a gourmet appetizer, featuring a circular base topped with a dark, triangular garnish, pearls, and herbs.
Salmon Bun
with Kristal Caviar
Imperial fillet salmon, kristal caviar,
dill, white peppercorn
A smiling young woman wearing a blue uniform holds a tray with glasses and spring rolls at an event.
KASAMA: Lumpiang chicago
braised beef and hot giardiniera
fried in a lumpia wrapper
A smiling server holding a tray with several plates of delicately arranged appetizers at a formal event.
VEA: Condensed Milk
Mochi, puff pastry
A waiter holds a tray with multiple small plates of colorful appetizers garnished with microgreens, set against a dark background.
Yellowfin Tuna
Espelette pepper, tartare

Here is the entire lineup of the presenting chefs and what they served that night.

Chef Lineup & Menu — Michelin Awards NightDownload PDF

If you missed Part 1, click to see behind-the-scenes photo snippets here.

Filed Under: NOTEBOOK

GET NOTES FROM BE WITH MIA

1 thought on “Michelin Ceremony in Photos Part 2: Chefs and Plates”

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Copyright © 2023 Be With Mia

Discover more from Be With Mia

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading