From the clinking of pans to the roar of the crowd, Cebu Goes Culinary 2025 came alive as a grand showcase of Filipino artistry and Cebuano excellence. This year, the Hotel Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI) hosted the first leg of the 16th National Food Showdown (NFS) — marking the official kickoff of the nationwide series that celebrates culinary creativity and craftsmanship across the Philippines.
Chef Myrna Segismundo, Founder of National Food Showdown
Through its partnership with the National Food Showdown, the Hotel Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI) aims to make Cebu Goes Culinary the biggest and grandest culinary showdown in the country. The 2025 edition gathered over 740 participants from the Visayas and Mindanao, supported by around 40 industry partners, and drew a crowd of 7,000 guests and spectators. The event was co-presented by SM Seaside City Cebu and endorsed by the Department of Tourism, underscoring its growing national prominence.
Culinary Growth
In her message, Mia Singson-Leon, HRRACI president, reflected on how Cebu Goes Culinary has evolved since its beginnings in the early 2000s.
Hotel Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRACI) President Ms. Mia Singson-Leon
“It just keeps getting bigger and better,” she said, noting how competitors have become bolder and more creative through the years. “This event truly embodies the passion and spirit of innovation and excellence that define Cebu’s vibrant culinary scene.”
The event followed the 16th National Food Showdown’s theme, “Balik Isla: Foraging in the Philippine Countryside,” a tribute to local ingredients, regional traditions, and the creativity that turns Filipino flavors into world-class cuisine.
Singson-Leon expressed gratitude to organizers, participants, and judges whose dedication made the showcase possible. “The Cebu Goes Culinary is a great opportunity for us to come together, share ideas, and celebrate our shared passion for culinary innovation,” she said.
(L-R) Lita Urbina, DOT-7 RD Judy Gabato, Candice Gotianuy, Marissa Fernan
Honoring Tradition, Empowering Talent
Event chairperson Julita Urbina traced the event’s beginnings to HRRACI’s early efforts to provide a platform for local culinary talent. “It started as a humble initiative,” she said, “but it has grown into a profound tradition that celebrates the finest talents in the food and hospitality industry.”
She expressed appreciation to the National Food Showdown and its Founder, Chef Myrna Segismundo, for their long-standing partnership and advocacy in raising Filipino cuisine to global standards.
Cebu Goes Culinary 2025 Chairman Ms. Julita Urbina
“The heart of this event remains a celebration of passion, discipline, and the Filipino countryside,” Urbina said. “Wear your Filipino pride — this is our advocacy.”
This year’s National Food Showdown kicked off in Cebu before heading to Iloilo (Oct. 3–4), Baguio (Oct. 9–11), and Cagayan de Oro (Oct. 15–17) — a nationwide series that highlights culinary excellence across the country’s key regions.
Ms. Carmela Malagar, co-chair of Cebu Goes Culinary 2025 and HRRACI corporate secretary
Nustar, UC Banilad, and USJ-R Lead 2025 Winners
The highlight of the week was the announcement of the Overall Champions.
Nustar Resort Cebu Team 1 emerged as Overall Champion in the Professional Category, impressing judges with artistry, innovation, and respect for Cebuano culinary heritage.
In the Student Category, the top honor was shared by University of Cebu Banilad and University of San Jose-Recoletos, marking a rare and well-deserved tie that showcased the depth of young talent in the region.
Culinary Artistry Across Categories
In the Klasika/Moderna Kulinarya – Sutukil Theme, professionals from Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu, JPark Island Resort & Waterpark, Savoy Hotel Mactan Newtown, and Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel took home gold. University of San Jose-Recoletos also captured gold among students.
The Regional Pica-Pica Appetizer competition by Potatoes USA highlighted student creativity, with Miguel Andre Del Mar of University of St. La Salle Bacolod winning top honors.
In the Flairtending Bisaya Regional Spirit Category, Nustar Resort and Casino Cebu won gold for professionals, while student teams from University of Cebu – Main Campus, CIT-University, and University of St. La Salle earned silver.
Creative brilliance also shone in the Balik Isla themed Creative Cake category, where JPark Island Resort & Waterpark and Seda Ayala Center Cebu won gold for professionals, and University of Cebu Main Campus took gold among students.
In the Cacao Concoction – Bisaya Regional Tablea competition, Nustar Resort Cebu earned Gold with Distinction, achieving a perfect score. Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel also received gold, while student silvers went to University of Cebu – Main Campus and University of San Carlos.
The Mocktail Mixing – Bisaya Regional Fresh Mango category brought gold for Bai Hotel Cebu and Costabella Tropical Beach Hotel, while student teams from University of Cebu Main, University of St. La Salle, and Western Leyte College also won gold.
For The Pantry Chef – Kinilaw Theme, Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort captured gold in the professional category, while University of Cebu Banilad topped the student level.
In the Kakanin – Puto Maya category, Tambuli Seaside Resort and Spa and Quest Hotel and Conference Center Cebu won gold, with University of San Carlos leading the student entries.
The Bisaya Regional Pica-Pica – Pungko-Pungko Theme crowned Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino as the gold winner.
Excellence in Every Dish
From Coffee Concoction to Cocktail Mixing, every competition brought out regional flavors with world-class presentation.
Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort earned Gold with Distinction in Coffee Concoction, while Seda Central Bloc Cebu followed with gold.
University of Cebu Banilad won student gold.
In Cocktail Mixing, Costabella Tropical Beach Resort captured professional gold, with students from University of St. La Salle, USPF, and CTU-Moalboal taking silver.
Professional teams from Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino and Crimson Resort and Spa won gold for Best Regional Ingredient – Coconut Vinegar, while student bronzes went to UC Main and UC Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue.
In the Wedding Cake – Garden Theme, JPark Island Resort and Waterpark and Western Leyte College emerged gold winners.
Finally, Nustar Resort and Casino Cebu once again stood out, taking gold for Best Traditional/Modern Regional Cooking Technique – Pralines with Bisaya Flavors and Puso Cebu Theme.
For Table Setting, golds went to Nustar Resort and Casino Cebu, Bai Hotel Cebu, Montebello Villa Hotel, UC Main Campus, and University of St. La Salle Bacolod.
Cebu’s Culinary Spirit Shines
Cebu Goes Culinary 2025 reaffirmed its role as a major showcase for nurturing local talent and promoting Filipino cuisine. Through every competition and every plate, Cebu’s culinary community proved that tradition and innovation can thrive side by side — and that at the heart of it all, the soul of Filipino cooking—rooted in heritage and heart—was the most essential ingredient.
This year’s culinary event is also made possible through the support of Platinum Sponsors Cebu Pacific, Equilibrium, Global Linens, Global Pacific, La Germania, and Solane; Gold Sponsors DPY Mercantile Inc., Haig & Lee, Nustar Resort and Casino Cebu, Plantation Bay, The Digital Hotelier, and Trade Offer Sales Co; and, Silver Sponsors All Year Home Products Inc., Bong Gre Corporation, Brother International, Converge, Diversey, Eastern Communications, Eastworld Sales, Ecolab, IFE Elevators, N2N Solutions Inc., TrustYou Pte Ltd., and Unisol.
The event’s donors include Allied Metals, Club Serena & Marina Seaview, Daikin, Delsan, DOT, Enderrun Colleges, GCash, HRS, Kitchenline, Linkbroad, PSWRI, Ramfire Engineering Systems, RISE, Sanden and Sunpride Foods Inc.
The benefactors include All Filipino Foods Inc., Belcris, CJLI Electro Mechanical Engineering Services, Clevermaster, Cornerstone, DITO, Don Revy, Fabtech, FoodSHAP Galaxy Traders, GHS, Golden Advance, Happy Living, Hive Rooms, Kings Quality Foods, MCRI Global Corporation, OMS WasteManagement, PMS PrimePower Network Inc., Qualpest Control Solutions, Sanitary Care, TAATS Marketplace, andTactical Security Agency.
Cebu Goes Culinary 2025 official tabulator is Mora, Sanchez, Meñoza Associates.