Whenever we booked flights, confirmed accommodations, finalized visits to expansive museums and historical sites — almost simultaneously in the same breath as the cliché goes — we attempted to reserve a table at Michelin-starred restaurants for memorable meals. Sadly at times, the stars in the heavens were not — I repeat — not aligned.

Luckily, gone are the cross-your-fingers days of the great chase. For the Philippines today — though we have absolutely excellent chefs who have painstakingly trained and deservingly earned the recognition in foreign shores — we now have our own Michelin-starred restos! And let’s not forget the bistros and the number of holes-in-the-walls establishments who have received the Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selected ones, too.

As we did our limited ongoing rounds, we discovered a number of the award-winning kitchens had a factor in common: some of the chefs hailed from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. Let’s meet them.

Chef Quenee Vilar (Celera, one Michelin star)

Generous servings of creativity and motivation are the star ingredients in Chef Quenee Vilar’s success. The Culinary Arts graduate initially became a household name as an active collaborator behind some of the metro’s most beloved dining spots. At present, as the co-owner and executive sous chef of contemporary Asian restaurant Celera, she continues to shine with her inventive interpretations to transform the rich flavors from Japan, China, Singapore, and beyond into umami-rich creations and artful platings.

Chef Carlos Villaflor (Gallery by Chele, one Michelin star and Michelin Green Star)

With valuable experiences from some of the most celebrated restaurants in the world, to include Arzak, Atzurmendi, Mugaritz, and Nerua, chef Carlos Villaflor brings in-depth wisdom and knowledge on choice ingredients and masterful techniques. He delivers diverse gastronomic flavors as co-owner of Gallery by Chele, a restaurant where culinary excellence meets environmental integrity.