San Diego’s Filipino Community

San Diego is home to one of the nation’s largest populations of Filipinos (and filipino food shops). For nearly a decade, some of San Diego’s great chefs (who are Filipino) have been advocating for the awareness of the cuisine which has had an ever-changing history. In the last few years, awareness of Filipinos, our culture and our influence in many sectors of our community, has been more visible than ever. It’s thanks to the loud voices of Filipino personalities that have looked up and made their identities and pride known.

After the Philippines became a territory of the U.S., the immigration of Filipinos to San Diego boomed especially in the 20’s and 30’s. With many Filipinos enlisted in the U.S. Navy abroad, the Immigration Act of 1965 opened immigration to include military personnel and this began the growth of San Diego’s largest Asian American ethnic population.

Want to Delve into Filipino Food?

Guest Chefs Dinner – A Modern Exploration of Filipino Fare

Chef Phillip Esteban has long been a respected advocate of Filipino cuisine. With his latest concepts, Open GYM SD in National City and White Rice in Liberty Station, this young chef has helped introduce Filipino food into the mainstream market. For many visitors, this is a first taste. With Chef Phillip’s pedigree, this isn’t a bad start to the exploration of Filipino flavors.

He has expanded that introduction to include some big names with his upcoming event. On November 19th, D.C.’s guest chefs Tom Cunanan of Hermies and Paolo Dungca of Hiraya will join Chef Phillip in this special Exploration of Filipino Fare Dinner.

Tickets for this Six Course Dinner with an optional wine pairing are available for pre-sale NOW. Tickets are $150 per person. If you want the wine pairing, that is an additional $75.

BEFORE you scoff at the price for this event, remember that this bi-coastal collaboration features 3 of the nation’s acclaimed chefs for Filipino cuisine. It’s a rare opportunity to get these 3 culinary talents together for one dinner, so buckle friends for a culinary journey that will feed your curiosity, soul and belly. It sure beats the cost of travel to experience the food of these chefs.

This pinay hopes to see you there.