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Culinary Roots

Typical becomes trendy

The future of dining is about seeing food as a form of escapism, a vision that is achieved through the need to surprise and challenge.

ENDORSED BY

Chef John Ramirez

Head Chef UFS Philippines

@joanelimoac

Chef John Ramirez

Head Chef UFS Philippines @joanelimoac

Chef John’s love for food definitely shines from his vast and rich experience, wherein he has been cooking up many great dishes for over three decades. After graduating in 1991 at De La Salle – Emilio Aguinaldo College with a degree in BSBA Management, he immediately entered the food industry as a chef in The Palm Garden Gourmet Restaurant and Le Souffle Restaurant and Wine Bar.

  • Not only did he leave customers satisfied in these restaurants, Chef Kenneth also shows great promise in various fields based on his background in being a senior sous chef in The Mandarin Oriental Manila and Chef de Cuisine at RMS Queen Mary 2.
  • His achievements of winning gold in various competition, such as Philippine Culinary Cup 2017 and 2019 and FHA Singapore further highlights his culinary expertise.
  • Many people would already agree that Chef Kenneth is a great chef, but he doesn’t limit himself to simply cooking. Chef Kenneth definitely stands out with his strong reputation in business management and training skills. He has opened his own successful food businesses like Los Indios Bravos Boracay and Steampunk Boracay as well as helped others develop their culinary skills in the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management Pampanga. Unilever Food Solutions is happy to have Chef Kenneth onboard our Culinary Team as a Country Executive Chef in 2019.

How modern diners are creating greater demand for unique culinary experiences

We find ourselves in an era that is being shaped by the next generation of diners. With their meticulous research, they are quick to decide if something resonates with them – and can be direct in pivoting to the next enticing offer.

With an increasing proficiency in tech, today’s consumers seek the same level of flexibility when it comes to their dining experiences. Convenience is paramount and has prompted a surge in restaurant expansion to provide takeaway options. As a result, innovative food packaging strategies continue
to emerge.

“Next-level condiments” is the fastest-growing topic in Google searches for this trend.

Despite the wealth of available technology and services, the rising cost of goods and operations is challenging future investments. While adapting to the latest needs of these digitally minded customers is crucial, maintaining a robust social media presence and upholding food quality remain the most cost-effective and compelling means to continuously attract and retain customers across the board.

Consumers are seeking not only the restaurant’s brand name, but also the individuals behind these unique food experiences. These savvy diners want to learn the story behind the food, but with a twist: chefs aren’t expected to reach celebrity status for guaranteed patronage, but rather they must attain an influencer-level presence which allows them to be perceived as more approachable, adding more credibility to their affiliated restaurants.

We find ourselves in an era that is being shaped by the next generation of diners. With their meticulous research, they are quick to decide if something resonates with them – and can be direct in pivoting to the next enticing offer.

With an increasing proficiency in tech, today’s consumers seek the same level of flexibility when it comes to their dining experiences. Convenience is paramount and has prompted a surge in restaurant expansion to provide takeaway options. As a result, innovative food packaging strategies continue
to emerge.

Chef Christian Rivera explains Borderless Cuisine

5 min

With their meticulous research, they are quick to decide if something resonates with them – and can be direct in pivoting to the next enticing offer.

With an increasing proficiency in tech, today’s consumers seek the same level of flexibility when it comes to their dining experiences. Convenience is paramount and has prompted a surge in restaurant expansion to provide takeaway options. As a result, innovative food packaging strategies continue
to emerge.

Recipes

without borders

Fiery scallops in sweet and spicy sauce

Fish, Main dish, gluten free

Fiery scallops in sweet and spicy sauce

Fiery scallops in sweet and spicy sauce

This recipe shows how to keep vegetables trendy and exciting in flavour and appearance, caramelising and frying of seasonal, inexpensive yet appealing ingredients, giving a wow factor that you can charge a premium for. It provides a good serving of vegetables that deliver on taste and essential nutrients,.

Check the full recipe

Torched barbecue pork

Pork, Main dish

Torched barbecue pork

Torched barbecue pork

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Check the full recipe

Hot honey caramelised butternut squash

Vegan, Main dish, Gluten free

Hot honey caramelised butternut squash

Hot honey caramelised butternut squash

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Check the full recipe

Pork ramen

Pork, Main dish

Pork ramen

Pork ramen

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Check the full recipe

Sharpen your skills

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Check all the trainings

What is Borderless cuisine?

by Chef Joanne

3 minutes

Vegetables without frontiers

by Chef Dianne Araneta

4 minutes

Merging flavours from different countries

by Chef Eric Chua

4 minutes

Trends book 2025

Download the printed version of the trends

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