ABACÁ'S new corporate executive chef

Chef Wade Watson again lends his culinary expertise to abacá boutique resort + restaurant, but this time on a more permanent basis. Watson, who has frequently returned as a guest chef at the multi-awarded restaurant in previous years, has been recently named abacá’s corporate executive chef to run the restaurant as well as some of the company’s current and future projects.

Cebu is Chef Wade’s latest move although he is by no means a stranger to foreign lands. Born in New Zealand and having grown up in Australia, Chef Wade’s impressive resume includes an apprenticeship at the then 5-star Orpheus Island Resort in Australia which, in return, has garnered him honors, such as being named Australia’s youngest executive chef of a 5-star resort, Queensland’s Apprentice Chef of the Year, and Queensland’s Best Fine Dining Establishment two years in row.

From Australia, Chef Wade relocated to British Columbia, Canada as executive chef of Hakai Beach Resort, catering to celebrities and VIP’s such as Kevin Costner, Warren Buffet and Jimmy Patterson. For a time, he was based in Toronto where he was executive chef of Sassafraz Toronto, another celebrity haven, largely considered the Ivy of Toronto. He was also a Chef Trainer at the city’s Dish Cooking Studio. Chef Wade Watson has ventured into print, co-authoring the “Behind the Apron” cookbook, as well as into TV with numerous TV appearances alongside personalities such as Bob Blumer, Martin Yan, and Greg Coulliard. From Canada, he went on to Hong Kong where he has been the Consulting Chef at California Restaurant & Bar and the Executive Chef at Lux Restaurant & Bar, which are both part of the well-established Lan Kwai Fong Entertainments group. Most recently, he was the executive chef at a WWF charity event in Hong Kong, heading a 2,000-person banquet. He also served as executive chef for the Ronnie Wood and Billy Wyman Art Launch.

Not bad for someone whose professional kitchen experience started in his native Australia as a dishwasher at age 13. He has come a long way, both professionally and geographically speaking, since then. abacá boutique resort + restaurant is thrilled to be bringing internationally renowned Chef Wade Watson to Cebu.

abacá boutique resort + restaurant is located on Punta Engaño Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan, Cebu. For restaurant reservations, call (032) 495 3461.