Press Release
More than two decades after first working together in the kitchens of El Bulli, chefs Aitor Zabala and Chele González will reunite in the Philippines for a collaborative culinary dinner, bringing together two friends whose careers have taken them to opposite sides of the world. Their connection began more than 20 years ago at the influential Catalan restaurant that helped define a generation of contemporary chefs. Since then, each has forged an individual path outside Spain. Zabala, chef and co-owner of Los Angeles’ three-Michelin-starred Somni, and González, the Spanish-born chef who has made the Philippines his home and has spent more than a decade immersed in its culinary landscape, will cook together on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10, at Gallery by Chel in Manila. González’s restaurant was awarded a Michelin Star and Michelin Green Star in the inaugural Michelin Guide Philippines in 2025. Both chefs will also host a culinary discussion with students at UP on October 7 at UP BGC Campus.
After moving to the United States, Zabala established both his life and culinary identity in Los Angeles, developing a style informed by his Catalan roots as well as the culture, ingredients and diversity of the region. González took a different path, relocating to the Philippines and establishing deep ties to its culinary community. His work has centered on the country’s ingredients and food traditions while reflecting the perspective of a chef whose training and heritage began in Spain.
Rather than attempting to reproduce either chef’s restaurant, the dinner will reflect what two established chefs can create together after more than two decades of developing their own distinct culinary voices while placing Philippine ingredients at the center of the menu. “Filipino cuisine has been gaining greater awareness and appreciation here in the U.S., and I’ve become increasingly curious, not only about its techniques and traditions, but especially about its ingredients and the incredible diversity of what is grown and produced there. I’m excited to discover those ingredients firsthand and let them influence and inspire what Chele and I create together.” For Zabala, the collaboration is also an opportunity to reconnect with an old friend and colleague whose career has taken a very different path.
Calendar of Events:
- Entitled “Learning from the Masters: Back to the Pass”, Zabala and Gonzalez will present and host a Q&A on Wednesday, October 7 at the University of the Philippines BGC Campus. The program, organized by the Events class of the Department of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, will give students an opportunity to learn directly from the chef and explore his approach to ingredients, technique and contemporary cooking. The event will be open to students, with a limited number of seats available to the public.
=UP students: Complimentary / Public: Php 300.00 / Capacity: 300
To purchase tickets, please clink the link https://tinyurl.com/LFMBackToThePass
- EVOLUTION: A Somni x Gallery by Chele Dinner. October 9 – 10, 2026 at Gallery by Chele
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