Dusit Thani Davao took center stage in Mindanao’s culinary scene as the host of the first-ever Kitchen Arena, the highlight of the Davao Food and Wine Festival 2025. The three-week celebration honored Mindanao’s finest ingredients, the chefs who champion them, and the communities that continue to elevate the region’s gastronomic identity. Held at Madayaw Café, Kitchen Arena showcased talent, precision, and culinary storytelling in one electrifying evening.
Guided by festival Chairperson Carmina del Rosario, the event brought together chefs, producers, partners, and audiences with a shared mission: amplify Mindanao’s culinary voice and present it on both national and international stages.
A Vibrant Evening of Culinary Excellence
The program was co-hosted by Kyle Jennermann of Becoming Filipino, whose warmth matched the energy of the evening, and Kim Liu of Varigoods and Kozara Yakitori, providing accessible insights into the fast-paced competition. Judging the event was a distinguished panel: JC Lo, renowned food columnist; Pepper Teehankee, veteran food and travel writer; and Nicole Hao-Bian Ledesma, hospitality entrepreneur and head of JIB International Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts.
Four Chefs, One Stage, Countless Stories
This year’s competition featured four talented chefs, each bringing a distinct culinary perspective:
- Chef Rhea Rizzo – Mrs. Saldo’s | Refined, heartfelt cuisine shaped by global influences
- Chef Andrew Malarkey – Wild Siargao | Bold “GLOCAL” dishes with vibrant island character
- Chef Jeramie Go – Pilgrim | Toronto-trained technique grounded in Mindanao terroir
- Chef Dinan – Dusit Davao | Luxury-hotel precision with calm leadership and home-court advantage
Guests were welcomed with tasting stations paired with Sula cocktails and curated wines, offering an intimate opportunity to experience each chef’s style before the competition began.
The Heat of the Kitchen Arena
Chefs crafted two dishes under timed conditions, drawing random specialty equipment and sourcing produce from an expansive festival pantry featuring Mindanao’s best: Mindanao Butchers & Co., Alsons Aquaculture / Sarangani Bay, Hijo Fresh, Mothers Produce, Malagos Farmhouse, and more.
The suspenseful Secret Black Box included Odong noodles, fresh crabs from Surigao, and Malagos Boracho cheese, challenging chefs to reinterpret regional staples with creativity and technical finesse.
Celebrating Mindanao’s Culinary Story
The evening concluded with guided tastings and final deliberations. Chef Rhea Rizzo of Mrs. Saldo’s was crowned Kitchen Arena Champion, while Chef Andrew Malarkey of Wild Siargao received the crowd’s favorite award for his resonant dish.
This inaugural edition highlighted Dusit Thani Davao’s commitment to nurturing local talent, supporting the culinary community, and championing Mindanao’s rich heritage—reinforcing the hotel’s role as a partner in elevating Davao as one of the Philippines’ most vibrant culinary destinations.
