MANILA, Philippines - What is your go-to ingredient in the kitchen?
My go-to ingredient is pork.
What’s your favorite kitchen tool?
My favorite kitchen tools are sharp Nenox knives.
What food could you eat every day and not get sick of?
My favorite food I could eat every day is pasta.
What is your favorite binge/comfort food?
My favorite binge/comfort food is kare-kare.
What is your favorite drink?
My favorite drink is ice-cold beer.
What dish would you cook to impress a date?
When I cook for a date I like to cook homemade pasta — very simple, rustic Italian food.
Name your personal top chefs and top restaurants in the world.
My personal top chefs, the ones whom I respect the most, are Carrie Nahabedian — I worked with her at Naha in Chicago, one of my favorite restaurants; Paul Kahan in Chicago; Jean-Georges Vongerichten, Jean Georges is one of my favorite restaurants. Other favorite chefs are Daniel Boulud and Grant Achatz.
What inspires you most as a chef?
What inspires me is the pursuit of the perfect dish. It’s not really attainable but you fight to make it and try every time you make dishes to get there.