PH Chicken Inasal Wins 2022 Embassy Chef Challenge in Washington
Clockwise from left: Chef Erwin “Wing” Villarias was awarded the People’s Choice during the 2022 Embassy Chef Challenge The People’s Choice; Chef Wing (center) prepares his winning dish at the Philippine Embassy’s booth; Chef Wing and the Embassy team celebrate their win (Photos from Washington DC PE)
WASHINGTON D.C. 17 October 2022 – Chef Erwin “Wing” Villarias, invited by the Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Embassy in DC to represent the Philippines in this year’s Embassy Chef Challenge (ECC), claimed the People’s Choice Award for his signature chicken inasal (chicken roast). The event was held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on Thursday, 13 October 2022.
Chef Wing is a rising Filipino Chef having been featured by the Washington Post, Arlington Magazine, and Washington City Paper. From humble beginnings in his hometown Roxas, Palawan, hardwork and perseverance paved his way into the culinary scene of culturally diverse Washington D.C. He opened his Filipino pop-up restaurant called Balangay DC in the midst of the pandemic in 2021.
Chef Wing’s success is the third for the Philippines in the ECC, following Chef Claude Tayag in 2016 and Chef Abigail Sincioco-Mateo in 2018.
“The people have spoken. It is no exaggeration to say that Filipino cuisine is coming of age in America, and the Embassy happily greets the local community’s cultural curiosity about the Philippines and our cuisine. Because of the growing number of Filipino-Americans, the United States is learning more about our flavors and culture, and they love it.” Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said in a statement.
In addition to Chef Wing’s gastronomic menu, Mama Sita’s provided guests with free samples of its Fiery Labuyo Barbeque marinade and Sinigang and Adobo mixes.
The Embassy’s participation in ECC - made possible by the support of the Philippine Department of Agriculture, Mama Sita’s, Balangay, and the US Philippines Society - is part of the celebrations for the Filipino American History month in October which also saw a performance from the Heritage Fil-Am Dance Ensemble
Embassy Chef Challenge (ECC), part of the 2022 Events DC International City Food Festival, is DC's annual culinary showdown for Chefs from all over the world to showcase the unique flavors of their countries. During this global culinary experience, guests played an important role in determining the People’s Choice Award winner by casting votes for their favorite dishes. Alongside this, the Judge's Choice Award was selected by a group of elite members from the field of diplomacy, culture and the culinary arts.
For more information, visit https://www.washingtonpe.dfa.gov.ph,https://philippineembassy-dc.org,https://www.facebook.com/PHinUSA, https://www.twitter.com/philippinesusa or https://www.instagram.com/philippinesusa/ END
Clockwise from top left: Migrant Heritage Fil-Am Dance Ensemble performs a dance medley as a finale to the 2022 Embassy Chef Challenge; Chef Wing (right) describes his special Chicken Inasal and Majin Ube cocktail to Esther Ciammachilli (left), Host of ‘Morning Edition’ on WAMU 88.5 FM and one of the Judges in the 2022 ECC; Chef Wing’s Signature Chicken Inasal and Majin Ube cocktail. (Photos from Washington DC PE)