Balesin Tastemakers is a three-date culinary series that brings distinguished chefs to two of Balesin Key’s prestigious destinations, Balesin Island and Balesin Pines.

Conceived as a specially curated program running from November 2025 to February 2026, the series reinforces Balesin’s reputation for exclusivity, prestige and destination dining at the very top tier.

“Balesin Tastemakers began with a clear purpose: to bring the country’s most dynamic chefs into settings that elevate their craft and reward our members’ time,” shares Alain Borgers, executive vice president for hospitality of Alphaland.  “Balesin Tastemakers is a deliberate step for us. Both Balesin Island and Balesin Pines can stand on their own, and the unique experience from each location is best expressed through the menus our guest chefs create in the venue. We are presenting three distinct evenings, each shaped by its location, its ingredients and our service standards.”

Aside from premium wine pairings curated by Premium Wine Exchange, and official event partner Jeep Philippines, here’s what to expect at Balesin Key’s first-ever installment of the Tastemaker series.

The chefs featured in the Balesin Tastemakers series include:

Chef Josh Boutwood on 15 November. Chef Josh brings the theater and rigor that define his restaurant, Helm. Helm features in 50 Best Discovery, reflecting its international profile. Boutwood was also honored by La Liste as a Young Talent of the Year (2021), a citation that spotlighted his Manila portfolio, including The Test Kitchen and Helm. In 2024, Tatler Dining recognized Helm with the Best Interior Design award, affirming the restaurant’s immersive design and meticulous craft. Chef Josh Boutwood made history after his restaurant, Helm, became the first-ever establishment in the Philippines to receive 2 Michelin Stars from The Michelin Guide’s inaugural list in the country.

Chef Jorge Mendez on 6 December Chef Jorge of MODAN closes the series with the precision and imagination that have defined his rise in Manila’s dining scene to Balesin Island. MODAN was named Best New Restaurant at the Tatler Dining Awards 2023, and Mendez received the Rising Star honor in the same year. He was later recognized as Chef of the Year 2024 by SPOT.ph, underscoring the momentum behind his progressive tasting menus.  

Chef Chele González on 7 February. Chef Chele is internationally known for bridging Spanish technique and Filipino terroir. His earlier flagship Gallery VASK placed No. 35 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2017 and was cited as the Philippines’ best that year. His current flagship, Gallery by Chele, reentered the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 extended list at No. 72, and González was Tatler Dining’s Chef of the Year 2023. In 2025, both Asador Alfonso and Gallery by Chele received 1 Michelin Star from The MICHELIN Guide, while Gallery by Chele also earned the MICHELIN Green Star recognition for its eco-friendly and sustainability efforts.

 “Balesin Tastemakers reflects what our members value most: rare access, thoughtful craftsmanship, and experiences that feel intimate from arrival to nightcap,” said Borgers. “Each dinner is designed as a complete journey guided by chefs at the top of their field.”