Davao City — The spotlight shone on Mindanao’s culinary identity as the Davao Food and Wine Festival 2025 staged its first-ever Kitchen Arena at Dusit Thani Davao’s Madayaw Café. The three-week festival, which began on November 29, celebrated the richness of local ingredients and the chefs who champion them, culminating in a high-energy cooking showdown that drew gourmands and food enthusiasts from across the country.

Four chefs from different regions took on the challenge of creating dishes within 60 minutes, incorporating three secret ingredients revealed only at the start of the competition. Among them was Chef Rhea Rizzo of Mrs. Saldo’s in Silang, Cavite, the lone female competitor, who ultimately emerged as champion. Known for her refined and heartfelt cooking, Rizzo impressed the judges with her ability to weave flavors into a cohesive narrative under pressure.

Festival Chairperson Carmina del Rosario emphasized the event’s mission: “We want to amplify Mindanao’s culinary voice and bring the region to a broader national and international stage.” Co-hosts Kyle Jennermann of Becoming Filipino and Kim Liu of Varigoods and Kozara Yakitori added energy and insightful commentary, making the competition accessible to audiences unfamiliar with the intricacies of professional cooking.

The Kitchen Arena was more than a contest; it was a showcase of talent, precision, and storytelling. Chefs came armed with their favored components but had to adapt quickly to the surprise ingredients, proving their creativity and resilience.

Events like Kitchen Arena go beyond entertainment. They redefine how Filipinos view regional cuisine, positioning Mindanao not just as a supplier of raw produce but as a hub of culinary innovation. By highlighting local ingredients and chefs, the festival challenges the dominance of Manila-centric food culture and sparks conversations about inclusivity in the national culinary narrative.

Moreover, the competition underscores the growing role of gastronomy in tourism. Davao’s success in hosting such a high-profile event could encourage other regions to invest in culinary festivals, boosting local economies and cultural pride. The triumph of a female chef also adds a progressive dimension, inspiring more women to take center stage in a field often dominated by men.

Kitchen Arena is about winning recognition for Mindanao’s culinary heritage and igniting dialogue on how food can unify diverse communities across the Philippines.

Image from Kenneth Irving Ong