The Philippines made a respectable mark on the global culinary industry, with six Philippine-based chefs receiving distinctions at the 2025 Best Chef Awards held in Milan. Founded in 2017, the Best Chef Awards celebrates fine dining and recognizes creativity, innovation, and influence in kitchens across the world. Each year’s honorees receive symbolic “knives” that are bestowed based on distinction: three for “The Best”, two for “World Class”, and one for “Excellent”.
This year, the Philippine roster highlighted the country’s growing influence in contemporary gastronomy. Leading the list are Chef Jordy Navarra of Toyo Eatery and Chef Chele González of Gallery by Chele, each earning two knives for world-class distinction. Navarra continues to express reimagined Filipino culinary meals through modern techniques inspired by his time at The Fat Duck in the U.K. and Bo Innovation in Hong Kong. González, a chef with Cantabrian descent, brings his experience from Northern Spain’s cuisine and restaurants such as El Bulli, El Celler de Can Roca, and Mugaritz, as he reimagines Philippine food using local ingredients.
On top of these achievements, four chefs joined the global list with one knife each, including Chef Aaron Isip of Kasa Palma—previously awarded by Gault et Millau—who earned recognition for his exquisite approach shaped by Parisian training at Apicius, Senderens, and Restaurant Dix-Huit; Chef Bruce Ricketts of Iai—who was applauded for elevating Japanese cuisine, balancing tradition with experimentation; Chefs Kevin Navoa and Thirdy Dolatre, the duo behind Hapag, also received honors for their fresh takes on regional Filipino flavors, with Dolatre’s inclusion marking this year’s newest addition to the lineup.
The six honorees join an elite roster that continues to celebrate world-class culinary icons, including some who received three knives like Massimo Bottura (Osteria Francescana), Yoshihiro Narisawa (Narisawa), and Joan Roca (El Celler de Can Roca). The Best Chef Award was awarded to Rasmus Munk from Denmark for the second year in a row, for his work at The Alchemist, a holistic culinary experience designed to experience the senses through gastronomy.
Check out the full list of highly regarded chefs at thebestchefawards.com.
Are there any chefs you would like to see added to the list? Tell us in the comments!