THIS Year’s Davao Food and Wine Festival launched “The Kitchen Arena: Chef Battle Competition” featuring four renowned chefs competing in an exciting 60-minute live cooking showdown at Dusit Thani Residence Davao on Nov 29.
Four chefs, accompanied with their sous chefs, faced a culinary challenge that began with a Mystery Ingredient Box and took on dynamic pantry runs to create one appetizer and one entrée.
The participating chefs were Rhea Rizzo of Mrs. Saldo’s, Andrew Malarkey of Wild Siargao, Jeramie Go of Pilgrim Restaurant, and Ferdinand Recaborda of Dusit Davao Hotels.
Each cuisine is judged by three guests panelist: JC Lo, a respected food columnist, Pepper Teehankee, a seasoned travel and food writer, and finally Nicole Hao Bian-Ledesma, president of Davao Tourism Association, who plays an active role in advancing the region’s dining and tourism landscape.
Rhea Rizzo won the Kitchen Arena Champion title, one of the festival’s most-awaited announcements.
Davao Food and Wine Festival 2025, hosted by Dusit Davao Hotels, also held four different tasting stations prepared by the competing chefs for guests to experience unique tasty delicacies paired with wine and cocktails for a special evening.
In an interview with Carmina del Rosario, chairperson of Davao Food and Wine Festival, she shared that the annual event aims to highlight local ingredients and talents in Davao and bring it to the global stage.
