The iconic Frank Gehry-designed Keep Memory Alive Event Center became the setting for an extraordinary celebration of Filipino culture as Istorya LV, the acclaimed pop-up restaurant and cultural storytelling platform, presented Isang Kusina—a one-night collaborative dining experience honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
More than a dinner, Isang Kusina offered guests a flavorful journey through the rich history of Filipino cuisine in America, tracing its remarkable evolution from the first documented arrival of Filipinos in Morro Bay in 1587 to the thriving Filipino communities of Saint Malo, Louisiana, and beyond. Every course told a story of migration, identity, resilience, and the enduring power of food to connect generations.
Leading the celebration was Walbert Castillo, founder and co-owner of Istorya LV, together with Mama Sita’s, the event’s title sponsor. Long recognized for preserving authentic Filipino flavors through its heirloom recipes and premium ingredients, Mama Sita’s continues to bring the comforting taste of home to Filipino families across the globe.
“For generations, Mama Sita’s has been the true taste of home for Filipinos everywhere,” Castillo shared.
Echoing the evening’s heartfelt theme, Cecilia Pacheco Morais, granddaughter of culinary icon “Mama Sita” Teresita Reyes, reminded guests that Filipino cuisine represents far more than delicious food.
“Filipino cuisine is more than food—it is memory, family, history, and home,” she said.
A Culinary Journey Across America
The collaborative menu highlighted the diversity of Filipino-American cuisine through the distinct culinary perspectives of celebrated chefs from across the United States.
Locally sourced ingredients from each chef’s home city were thoughtfully paired with Philippine artisanal products, including Mama Sita’s all-natural vinegars, Pure Labuyo Hot Pepper Sauce, Balatinaw rice pinipig, tropical fruit syrups, premium extracts, fruit and vegetable powders, and other heritage ingredients that elevated every dish while deepening the evening’s storytelling.
Opening the experience was Las Vegas-based Michelin-trained Chef Dio Buan, who transformed familiar Filipino flavors into elegant fine dining creations. His Bibingka Blini and Foie Gras Tartlet topped with Mama Sita’s jackfruit flakes delivered a luxurious reinterpretation of beloved local flavors.
The culinary journey continued eastward as Chef Patrice Cleary of Purple Patch in Washington, D.C., showcased the comforting richness of Ginataang Alimasag, featuring fresh Maryland blue crab and celebrating the harmony between regional American ingredients and classic Filipino cooking techniques.
Representing Seattle, Chef Aaron Verzosa of Archipelago highlighted innovation with handcrafted Miki Noodles made from Washington heirloom-milled grains, complemented by earthy lion’s mane mushrooms in a dish that beautifully blended heritage and sustainability.
From New Orleans came Chef Cristina Quackenbush of Milkfish, who paid tribute to the intertwined histories of Filipino and Creole cultures through her soulful Lakbay Gumbo. Enhanced with Mama Sita’s signature Pure Labuyo Hot Pepper Sauce, the dish showcased how two rich culinary traditions can come together in perfect harmony.
Acclaimed James Beard Award-winning chef Lord Maynard Llera of Los Angeles’ Kuya Lord rounded out the savory courses with a masterfully grilled venison served alongside a bold huckleberry adobo chipotle gastrique—a refined interpretation of Filipino flavors executed with modern finesse.
More Than a Meal
The evening extended beyond exceptional cuisine through captivating cultural performances and live music that celebrated the richness of Filipino and broader AAPI identity.
Bringing the experience to a fitting close was a collaborative halo-halo dessert, created by the participating chefs as a tribute to the Filipino spirit of bayanihan—a symbol of unity, shared creativity, and community.
One Kitchen, One Heritage
Living up to its name, Isang Kusina proved that while Filipino stories may span continents and generations, they remain deeply connected by food.
By bringing together renowned chefs, heritage ingredients, cultural storytelling, and community, the event celebrated not only the evolution of Filipino cuisine in America but also the enduring bonds that continue to unite Filipinos around the world.
In every plate served and every story shared, Isang Kusina embodied its central message: one kitchen, many journeys, one shared heritage.
To learn more about Istorya LV, visit www.istoryalv.com. For more information about Mama Sita’s products, visit www.mamasitas.com/us/ or follow @mamasitasusa on Instagram.
