International Manila Food Festival 2025 champions Filipino culinary excellence at Newport World Resorts
BrandedUp in partnership with
Motherland Productions and Newport World Resorts present the International Manila Food Festival (IMFF), a four-day celebration of Filipino cuisine, innovation, and identity. From Aug. 7 to 10, 2025, the inaugural event brings together internationally acclaimed chefs for immersive culinary experiences and a high-level industry summit spotlighting Philippine gastronomy and its growing global prominence.
IMFF serves as a strategic venue for shared learning, business growth, and partnerships that bring Filipino dishes to tables across the world.
Newport World Resorts, the country’s pioneering integrated resort known for its unmatched offerings in leisure, entertainment, hospitality, and dining, plays host to this landmark initiative.
“Every plate served during IMFF spotlights the innovation, passion, and identity that define Filipino cuisine,” says John Lucas, chief hospitality officer of Newport World Resorts. “Our property provides the ideal platform for visibility and guest experiences that support this vision while welcoming the world to our table.”
Across the property, ticket holders can explore tasting menus, chef-for-a-night collaborations, bar takeovers, and a vibrant producer market. The Sustainability Corridor and Innovation Lab foster dialogue around responsible sourcing and food-tech solutions, coinciding with the anticipated arrival of Michelin Guide inspectors in Manila, which grants restaurants a timely arena to showcase excellence.
“This is our collective moment,” says Nicole Ponseca, co-founder of Motherland Productions. “The Filipino diaspora is hungry to collaborate and ready to lead. IMFF is not just about showcasing talent—it’s about unlocking opportunity, building legacy, and reminding the world that Filipino food is here to stay.”
The festival features a powerhouse culinary cast of visionaries from around the globe. Lordfer Lalicon, whose restaurant is the only Filipino establishment with a Michelin Green Star, leads a lineup that includes Monique Feybesse, Aaron Isip, Filippo Turrini, Stephan Duhesme, Josh Boutwood, Chele Gonzalez with Carlos Villaflor, Nico Santos, Nicole Ponseca, Tara Monsod, Erica Paredes, and Ross Magnaye. Each weaves heritage and innovation into the Filipino table.
A cornerstone Culinary Congress and Summit, developed in partnership with the Center for Culinary Arts, Enderun Colleges, and Le Cordon Bleu–Ateneo, convenes chefs, founders, policymakers, and educators. Sessions will explore brand storytelling, regional ingredient diplomacy, and Michelin readiness, culminating in an annual playbook that charts collective progress.
The festival is backed by anchor sponsors San Miguel Beer, Philippine Airlines, and the Department of Tourism – National Capital Region, whose institutional strength amplifies IMFF’s reach to investors and cultural leaders alike.
Tickets are now available at www.manilafoodfestival.com, where guests can find the evolving chef lineup, full event schedules, and venue information.
For more information on Newport World Resorts, visit www.newportworldresorts.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Join Newport World Resorts Viber Community for exclusive updates. Every visit is made more rewarding with an Epic Rewards membership. Download the Epic Rewards Mobile App for free at the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
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Editor’s Note: This article was provided by Newport World Resorts.
