Two weeks ago, I was invited by Chef Chele Gonzales to join a special lunch in his new restaurant, Gallery by Chele.

I’ve known Chele from way back when he first opened his first fine dining restaurant in Manila — the much-talked about and always sought-after “date place”, Gallery Vask. It had a very nice, cozy ambience and amazing degustation menu that showcased some of the best Philippine produce!   

Fast forward to today, Gallery Vask has been changed, renovated and renamed to Gallery by Chele. Together with another young chef, Carlos Villiafor at the helm, this restaurant promises to be not just about fine dining food — but more so, about the art of dining well.

Gallery by Chele’s recently launched Serie Kulynaria, is a series of collaborative dinners sharing the best of the Philippines with the world. With this new concept, the restaurant aims to bring in the world’s brightest culinary talents into their kitchen.

And so I together with some friends from the media, were privileged to have been able to try the first Serie Kulynaria in Gallery by Chele — which had no less than Chef Richard Ekkebus as the guest chef.

Richard Ekkebus is the Culinary Director at The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong. Under Richard’s supervision and guidance, Amber, the hotel’s modern French restaurant was ranked No. 56 in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018 and for the tenth consecutive year, awarded two Michelin stars by the Michelin Guide for Hong Kong and Macau 2018. 

It was Chef Richard Ekkebus himself who served us the scrumptuous cocktail dishes he prepared in the kitchen!

Check out these little bites that we had which whetted our appetite for the big lunch ahead!Kombu cracker with mackerel and cashew nuts coriander, lime juice topped with garlic aioliOctopus grilled eggplant with onion leeks and fermented green mango“Chupa Chup” foie gras beet root and raspberry beet root chips with ginger bread oxalis

And soon after that… we were ready for the 9-course meal! Yellow Fin Tuna with celeriac, mushrooms and hazelnut
Ulang with garlic emulsion, upo seeds and calamansi
Aka Uni with cauliflower, caviar and lobster
Chefs Richard Ekkebus and Chele Gonzales in action in the open kitchen! Chef Richard Ekkebus serving the guests again…

And yes, that’s me with my (cute) seatmate, Pepper!
Kuro Awabi Black Abalone with paimpol bean, tomato and pork chin Fired! Pulpo : Octopus with chicken jus and papaya
Silly Too Na : Tuna belly, pickled green chili
Hakoo Farm Miyazaki Wagyu Beef with red onion, dulse seaweed and black currantThe rest of the young team of Gallery by Chele learning from their mentors! Coconut ice cream with jackfruit, pomelo and kaffir limeKacinkoa 85% Chocolate with tofu, cacao and almonds
But of course our lunch didn’t end there… Right after those two desserts, we were served these delicious petit fours! What an amazing collaboration between two culinary geniuses right here in Gallery by Chele’s kitchen! 

Feeling very lucky here to have been able to try this special lunch menu with no less than two-Michelin starred chef Richard Ekkebus and our very own Chele Gonzales (with his talented team) cook for me!

I can’t wait to see who’s coming next to share their culinary talent here in this kitchen!

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Gallery by Chele is honored to be working in partnership with these geniuses of the culinary world. The following is the schedule of Serie Kulynaria :

Haku, Hong Kong
Dinners: 23 & 24 October 2018

Bikini, Seminyak, Bali
Dinners: 13 & 14 November 2018

Odette, Singapore
Dinners: 17 & 18 December 2018

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Reserve your seats now :

Gallery by Chele

0917-546-1673 / (02)218-38-95

5th floor, CLIPP Center, 11th Avenue and 39th Street

Bonifacio Global City