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Chefs and executives of the 11 Michelin-recognized food establishments in Cebu showcase their Michelin plaques after the official turnover ceremony led by Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on December 13, 2025

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<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765777174858image.png" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco gets a firsthand taste of preparing &#x27;linarang&#x27; as she joins the Garcia Family, owners of the Michelin-awarded Esmen Carinderia, in cooking the iconic Cebuano dish during the DOT-led Resto-Run Caravan in Cebu on December 13, 2025. Photos courtesy of the DOT</div>More than a month after being featured in the first-ever Michelin Guide in the Philippines, chefs and restaurant owners have reported increased customers, with more people visiting their establishments to sample their offerings.This was the finding of the Department of Tourism, as Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco recently presented Michelin plaques to 18 recognized restaurants and eateries in Cebu, according to a statement.Zeny Paglinawan, whose family owns the restaurant Esmen, said they now serve 16 sold-out cauldrons of their signature &quot;linarang&quot; — a porcupine fish soup — from just 11 batches previously.&quot;Parami nang parami ang mga customer na dumadating. In fact, iba-ibang nationalities, Korean, Japanese, mga Amerikano,&quot; Paglinawan said in the statement.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765777211960image (1).png" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Chefs and executives of the 11 Michelin-recognized food establishments in Cebu showcase their Michelin plaques after the official turnover ceremony led by Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco on December 13, 2025. Handout</div>Esmen was among the 25 recipients of the Bib Gourmand, a distinction given to dining spots that serve great food at reasonable prices.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/food-travel/2025/10/31/michelin-guide-launches-first-ever-ph-selection-108-restaurants-make-the-cut-0705">READ: Michelin Guide launches first-ever PH selection: 108 restaurants make the cut </a></div>&quot;Grabe ‘yung help ng Michelin sa pagparami ng customers namin,&quot; Paglinawan added.Chef Ronald Villavelez of the Michelin-Selected Sialo said their restaurant was booked until March 2026.&quot;Right after the [Michelin] ceremony, in just one night, we got several, so many bookings that never happened before. And we were really hoping to be on the Guide for us to survive,&quot; Villavelez said.Representatives from the House of Lechon, Lantaw (Compostela), and Pares Batchoy Food House reported similar surges in customers, with Pares Batchoy even struggling to manage parking space due to the influx of diners.A total of 108 establishments were selected to be part of the first Michelin Guide in the Philippines, which Frasco said highlighted the vibrant food culture in the country.&quot;The Michelin Guide, having arrived in the country, is an affirmation of the culinary excellence that pervades our entire nation,&quot; she said.Frasco added that the tourism department aimed to continue strengthening the country&#x27;s gastronomy tourism programs.

More than a month after being featured in the first-ever Michelin Guide in the Philippines, chefs and restaurant owners have reported increased customers, with more people visiting their establishments to sample their offerings.

More than a month after being featured in the first-ever Michelin Guide in the Philippines, chefs and restaurant owners have reported increased customers, with more people visiting their establishments to sample their offerings.

Cebu chefs see boost in local cuisine, earnings following Michelin recognition

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Cebu chefs see boost in local cuisine, earnings following Michelin recognition

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Published Dec 15, 2025 02:15 PM PHT

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