The Filipino Fix
Hey all! I hope that you had a great summer. I’m excited to head into the fall season – not only because September is my birthday month – but I love coming back to crisp air, the changing of the seasons and all that lies ahead. We have some exciting events coming up, and I hope to see you in Miami, Manila or Manhattan!
MANILA
Hello, Manila!
I’m beyond thrilled to announce that something truly special is coming to life in 2025: the first-ever International Manila Food and Wine Festival.
We’re bringing together premier restaurant owners, operators, and hospitality leaders to discuss the future of the Philippines as a top destination for **culinary tourism**. This is your chance to be part of the movement to **market Filipino cuisine** and **focus on hospitality competitiveness**
Join us September 18! We are kicking off the planning with a symposium that gathers the city’s premier restaurateurs and hospitality leaders. Together, we’ll dive into how we can push Manila’s dining scene as a global destination and — dare I say it — prepare for the moment when Michelin finally turns its gaze our way. The Philippines is on the verge of an economic leap in 2030, and with its young, dynamic population, the food scene is about to explode. I, for one, can’t wait to be part of that culinary revolution.
If you’re intrigued (and you should be), or if you or your brand want to join this exciting opportunity to help shape the future of Manila’s culinary and hospitality industries for 2030 and beyond, I’d love to hear from you.
Drop a "Mabuhay!"! And if you’re in Manila 9/18, please join me at the symposium. It’s bound to be an unforgettable start to something extraordinary!
MANHATTAN
Join us at ACE NextGen’s Annual Unity Conference in NYC (October 3-5)
Unite, connect, and empower yourself alongside your fellow AAPI entrepreneurs and business owners nationwide. This gathering brings together the AAPI entrepreneurial ecosystem to strengthen relationships and cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs through discussing and solving their greatest challenges.
Jeepney will be serving up a Filipino feast, alongside Masagana and Kora, for this event’s Pathfinder Awards Ceremony. Hope to see you there!
MIAMI
Celebrate Filipino culture and cuisine at the 2nd Annual Banana Catchup Filipino Block Party at 1-800-Lucky, Miami's first Asian food hall, on October 19th.
Hosted by Nicole Ponseca of Jeepney, Darren Mendoza of Lutong Pinoy, and Cheryl Tiu of Cross Cultures in partnership with the Filipino Food Movement and ACE NextGen Miami, this vibrant celebration honors Filipino heritage and cuisine.
Enjoy a Filipino marketplace featuring local vendors, including Graze & Gobble and Ives & Bees. Delicious dishes will be served by hosts Nicole Ponseca and Darren Mendoza, as well as a lineup of esteemed South Florida chefs curated by Cheryl Tiu.
Collaborative culinary concepts will feature creations from Leicel Ros and Nancy Dominguez of Sili Miami, Reiji Yoshizawa and Jason Acoba, and Filipino-Cuban mashups by Masa Craft.
The event will also include live entertainment, with a DJ set by Kuya Trey, traditional dance performances, and a karaoke competition, making it a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Filipino culture and community.
Admission is free to the public, but space is limited so reserve your spot!
BAY RECIPE SPOTLIGHT
Bistek Tagalog
Revisiting a Classic: Bistek Tagalog with a Twist
Lately, I've been diving back into classic Filipino dishes, and Bistek Tagalog has quickly become a staple in my kitchen. Last week alone, it made the rotation three times! I had almost forgotten how delicious and simple this dish is. For a more decadent version, I used rib-eye, but thinly sliced flap from HMart worked just as well and gave me that same, silly-delicious flavor with minimal effort — perfect for a busy weeknight.
As I’m prioritizing protein in my weekly nutrition goals, this dish has been a fantastic way to hit those macros. Instead of the traditional white rice, I paired it with a farro arroz caldo made with ginger and turmeric. The result? Insanely good. The nutty farro and the warming spices of ginger and turmeric brought a fresh twist to the meal, adding both flavor and nutrition.
It’s always a joy rediscovering Filipino classics, especially when they’re this easy and rewarding. If you're looking for a quick and nourishing dish with all the comfort of home, this might just be the one for you.
“...My new favorite one-skillet weeknight meal, bistek tagalog, a bright, satisfying marinated steak. The dish gets the first half of its name from the Spanish word for steak, while the "tagalog" part refers to the major ethnolinguistic group in the northern Filipino island of Luzon. Depending on the cut of meat, the dish is often prepared as a braise or stew. Ponseca, however, suggests using a thin, fatty grocery-store rib eye and pan-griddling it instead. She pounds the meat into thinner, broader pieces, which not only stretches the value of this typically indulgent cut, but also significantly reduces the cook time. The end result? Everything you love about a well-made rib eye—nice marbling in the meat, a strong, crusty sear on the outside, and a juicy center—but faster and more economical, so it's something you can have on weekly rotation.”
-Kat Craddock, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Saveur
From the Archives: Check out my recipe for Bistek Tagalog from Saveur.