Four local restaurants have won coveted spots on the 2021 Essence of Asia list. Their secret? Sticking to what they know—and love—best.
"I think we're not trying to uplift [Filipino food] because [Filipino food] is up there already. We're trying to level up," says Chef Claude Tayag. The artist, who's proven his finesse in painting, cooking, and writing, has chosen a very specific word—uplift—that has accurately described the mission of all four restaurants on the 2021 Essence of Asia list. This list, which has been put together by The World's 50 Best organisation is one that celebrates "authenticity, culinary culture and community focus". For this year, four beloved Filipino restaurants have made the cut: Hapag, Earth's Kitchen, Bale Dutung, and Farmer's Daughter.
Today, representatives from three out of the four celebrated eateries speak out on their success, their mission, and on the timely paradox of how loving local has ultimately brought them international acclaim.
Read more: Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants: 4 Filipino Restaurants Make It To The Essence Of Asia 2021 List
"Pagkain walang kwento, walang kwenta"
Though each of the three kitchens have their own unique offerings and personalities, one thing remains to tie them together. "[They] celebrate the Philippines and Filipino food. They also give back [to the local communities] in so many ways," Essence of Asia project manager and lifestyle journalist, Cheryl Tiu-Snyder remarks.
Earth Kitchen for one has a very strong advocacy to help the farmers and build a more sustainable food supply chain. Serving fresh and organic is also incredibly important to their ethos. Meanwhile, Bale Dutung is an authentic experience of home-cooked Filipino meals, with Chef Tayag and his wife opening up their abode to serve hungry customers. Lastly, Hapag is a Filipino restaurant that creatively reinterprets local recipes and ingredients. At the heart of each of these restaurants is a story, one that's as important as the food itself.
As Chef Tayag says, "Pagkain walang kwento, walang kwenta (Food without a story is useless)." Excitingly enough, each of these restaurant's narratives seems to have drawn a crowd—people in the Philippines and beyond it are excited to smell, taste, and see these local stories for themselves.
