Filipino Iron Chefs!

We have always known that Filipino chefs can compare with the best in the world. Anywhere they go, be it for a job or a competition, they excel and showcase their remarkable skill and talent. In culinary competitions alone, they travel as far as Europe to compete with the world’s best, and they have brought home the gold so many times that it would come as no surprise if they captured top honors in prestigious competitions like Iron Chef. Filipino Iron Chefs? Why not? And it just might happen sooner than expected.

A global stage

Judging by the Philippine team’s performance on Iron Chef Thailand vs. Asia Season 2 — currently streaming globally on Netflix, excluding the United States and Canada — this possibility looms large. The show debuted on 10 October and runs until 12 December 2026, featuring national teams from the Philippines, South Korea, China, Indonesia, and host country Thailand competing for top honors.

Representing the Philippines are four talented chefs chosen by the LTB Philippines Chefs Association: Mia Yan, AC Agra, Maverick Javier, and Sonny Mariano. Each has been trained, mentored, and developed through LTB Philippines and the wider Philippine Culinary Cup community. This system has been built over many years to help the organization identify talent, sharpen technical skills, develop grace under pressure, and prepare chefs to represent the Philippines on the international culinary stage.

Definitely not chosen based on popularity or celebrity status, these four chefs represent different generations, disciplines, and culinary perspectives. However, they share a common foundation in professional competition and the pursuit of culinary excellence.

Meet Team Philippines

Chef Mia Yan, 50, is the executive sous chef of Tsukiji Japanese Restaurant, specializing in Western, Asian, and Japanese cuisines. She brings extensive

restaurant and international competition experience to Team Philippines, boasting a career that combines Western and Asian techniques. She has earned medals in past competitions not just in the Philippines, but also in Singapore and Hong Kong.

Chef AC Agra, 40, is the executive chef of Antonio’s Group of Restaurants and specializes in innovative, contemporary, and vegan cuisine. His cooking combines his extensive knowledge of both modern and classical techniques, with an emphasis on seasonality, ingredient quality, and unexpected yet balanced flavor combinations. An experienced international competitor and member of the National Culinary Team Philippines, Agra has represented the country at some of the profession’s most demanding events, bringing home multiple gold medals.

Chef Maverick “Mav” Javier, 39, is the corporate executive chef of Rekado Global Food Solutions Inc., specializing in Western and Filipino cuisines. As one of the country’s most experienced active culinary competitors, he holds a decade-long record of 27 medals (12 gold, five silver, and 10 bronze) from the Philippine Culinary Cup and took home Chef of the Year honors in 2024.

Chef Sonny Mariano, 35, is a chef consultant for SJM Consultancy Services, specializing in Western and Filipino cuisines as well as baking and pastry arts. He brings an unusually broad culinary background to Team Philippines, spanning savory cooking, baking, restaurant development, and food and beverage consultancy. He currently consults for a diverse portfolio of restaurant, cafe, and food brands, including YOLE, 50/50, The Matcha Tokyo, TMT Studio, 2050 Coffee, Kurasu, Kombi, Bait by Poison Mochi Donuts, Noodleheads, Lila Cafe, Drake’s, Tia Tita’s, Aria’s Cafe, Selecta, Synergy Asia, Max’s Corner Bakery, Sysu, and Angrydobo. In the competition circuit, he has won medals from distinguished events such as FHA Singapore, HOFEX Hong Kong, and the Philippine Culinary Cup.

Belonging on the world stage

The Philippine team’s participation in Iron Chef Thailand vs. Asia showcases Filipino technique, creativity and discipline to a global audience. It also repositions Filipino cuisine not as a regional curiosity, but as a serious contender in international culinary competitions.

“More than a showcase of our competitive spirit, our participation in the Iron Chef competition is a celebration of our creativity, passion, and unwavering dedication to our craft,” says JA Ventura, president of the LTB Philippines Chefs Association. “It represents every Filipino chef around the world: the courage to take on challenges, the grit to rise from setbacks, and the determination to triumph despite every obstacle. They carry with them not only their skills and experience, but also the pride, resilience, and spirit of a people who continue to rise to every challenge. The Filipino chef is not simply competing for a shot at the world stage; the Filipino chef belongs on the world stage.”

Fernando Aracama, secretary-general of LTB Philippines, echoed that sentiment.

“Our Iron Chef Thailand vs. Asia team members are seasoned international culinary competitors. They’re homegrown champions of the Philippine Culinary Cup, Asian Global Chef finalists, and even a Global Chef bronze trophy winner,” Aracama adds. “And now, they’re ready for a new challenge. We’re confident they will do their best and shine bright!”

For James Antolin, director for competitions at LTB Philippines, preparation was everything.

“When we formed this team, we did not ask who was the most popular. We asked who was ready. From there, it was the work: drilling fundamentals, running timed scenarios until pressure stopped feeling like pressure, and tasting and critiquing every dish until there was nothing left to fix,” Antolin says. “The right attitude is important more than anything. These four were not simply sent to compete; they were built for it inside this association, to the same standard we hold in the Philippine Culinary Cup. I am so proud of what this team has become, and I will say it without hesitation: I would go into battle with these chefs anytime, anywhere.”

Let’s all continue to watch the developments on Iron Chef Thailand vs. Asia Season 2 and cheer on Team Philippines.