Adobros at IFEX Philippines 2025: Filipino Chefs from Melbourne Redefining Global Cuisine

By Mye Mulingtapang 

Photos courtesy of Adobros

How Filipino Chefs in Melbourne Are Reshaping Global Filipino Cuisine

Adobros, the Filipino chefs from Melbourne behind a rising global culinary movement, made a defining statement at IFEX Philippines. Known for reimagining Filipino cuisine through a diaspora lens, Michael Francis Pastrana and Morris Danzen Catanghal have built more than a supper club—they’ve created a platform where Filipino food is seen, understood, and respected on its own terms. Their debut at IFEX Philippines marked a turning point, not just for their brand, but for Filipino cuisine globally. The message was clear: Filipino food was never meant to be elevated—it was always meant to be recognized.

More than just a nod to the iconic Pinoy dish, adobo, Filipino-Australian chefs Michael Francis Pastrana and Morris Danzen Catanghal turned their passion for Filipino cuisine into a cultural movement. Founded in April 2023 in Melbourne, the culinary duo crafted a supper club that reimagined Filipino food through a global lens while staying rooted in heritage. At IFEX Philippines 2025, held from May 22 to 24 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City, Adobros made their Philippine debut, showcasing their unique interpretation of Filipino cuisine at the IFEX Kitchen series. Their participation marked a powerful statement of culinary independence, not in defiance but in recognition: Filipino food was never something to be elevated, it simply needed to be seen, understood, and celebrated. 

They spoke directly to young culinary students and professionals, showing them that Filipino food didn’t need Western approval to be worthy. "We want to inspire students who want to be chefs," Chef Morris said, "and show the world that Filipino food deserves a seat at every table."

The Diaspora Effect: Filipino Chefs Taking the Global Stage

These Filipino chefs are driving the future of Filipino food. Their presence at IFEX was more than a spotlight—it was a declaration. In an industry obsessed with reinvention, Adobros championed recognition. They didn’t claim to elevate Filipino cuisine. They rejected the word. “Filipino food is already good,” they said. “We just need to love it, and share it.”

For Adobros, IFEX Philippines 2025 became a milestone. For everyone who tasted their food or heard their story, it felt like something bigger. The rise of a culinary movement that didn’t ask for permission, but simply took its place. Filipino independence, in food and flavor, had never tasted so certain.

It was a homecoming of flavours, one that honored the past while boldly claiming space on the global culinary map. It wasn’t just about cooking—it was about reclaiming identity, one dish at a time. Filipino independence, in food and flavor, had never tasted so certain.