12 ways to make Dad feel special
Fathers are known to be difficult to buy gifts for, unless they tell you outright what they want. That, or they love to eat. In which case, food is an easy option.
Irish Coffee Chocolate Cake by Homemade by Roshan (@homemadebyroshan)
Roshan Samtani has made dear, personal memories her sources of cake inspiration. And her Father’s Day special is no different.
“Irish Coffee was all the rage in the fancier restaurants and hotel lobbies back in the day. It was a favorite after-dinner libation of my dad to accompany dessert (his favorite course of the meal),” she says. “I remember taking sips from the fancy glass they would serve it in, the cold, sweet cream giving way to the hot bittersweet, potent liquid which was strong coffee with Irish whiskey. The contrasts in taste and temperature were fascinating to my young palate.”
Inspired by their family’s Sunday night dinners, she spruced up her signature chocolate cake with Irish coffee truffle filling (made with Jameson Whiskey), butterscotch crunch, then covered it with a whiskey-spiked coffee cream—something decadent to celebrate her dad, Sunder Gopaldas.
Coffee Jelly Cake from BBakery (@bbakeryph)
For its special offering, BBakery turned to a specific dessert in Deans Bistro, a favorite family hangout.
“We have such good memories of that restaurant bar. And their coffee jelly has always been a part of that,” Geraldine Santiago says. Her cake version is composed of light and pillowy soft mocha sponge cake with soft coffee jelly in every layer. It is then wrapped in espresso and cappuccino jelly.
Chocolate Ganache Cake by 50 Shades of Dough (@50shadesofdough)
Trisha Lacson wanted to create a cake that felt timeless and familiar, something that could speak to a wide range of tastes while still feeling luxurious and heartfelt.
“The idea was to offer a dessert that’s universally loved but also elevated. I thought about the kind of dessert that could stand as a quiet tribute to strength, warmth, and chocolate, in its purest form.”
The result is her delightful Chocolate Ganache Cake, something dads will surely indulge in. It is a rich and moist cake layered and covered in a silky dark chocolate ganache made with premium couverture. It’s indulgent yet balanced, featuring a smooth finish that melts in your mouth.
“We designed it to be both refined and comforting—a dessert that feels celebratory, yet familiar,” she adds.
Beef Pie by 105d Street (@105dstreet)
When it comes to delicious pies, Roy and Karla Menorca have that covered. Their Cheese Apple Pie easily stands out. Apart from the addition of two types of cheeses, it has a generous filling with a distinct tanginess that’s divine to bite into and indulge in.
For this particular occasion, it’s their Beef Pie that perhaps many fathers would adore. Inspired by the famous Jamaican patty, their double-crusted pie with a lattice top hides two layers of cheddar cheese, bell peppers, onions, ground beef, and, for that smooth, creamy finish, rich béchamel.
Chocolate Pistachio Crunch Entremet Cake by Patisserie Le Choux-colat (@patisserielechouxcolat)
The “Dubai chocolate” trend, fueled by a viral TikTok video showcasing a pistachio-stuffed chocolate bar, may have led to a global shortage of pistachios. On the bright side, it has also inspired pastry chefs all over the world.
Chef Ely Salar has made an entremet composed of layers of chocolate mousse, pistachio praline, praline crunch, toasted kataifi, pistachio dacquoise, white chocolate chantilly, and moist chocolate sponge. The whole thing is encased in an Aton cacao white chocolate glaze and topped with a white chocolate disk.
Fruit basket from Baytown’s Fruits (@baytownsproduce)
Gifting fruits is actually a common practice in some cultures, as it symbolizes good wishes for the recipient’s health and happiness. I, for one, wouldn’t mind getting fruit hampers as I genuinely enjoy the natural sweetness the bounty offers.
Baytown’s Fruit can make this happen and can deliver them right to your doorstep. They’ve got quite a wide range, from Guimaras mangoes and the underrated persimmon to US red cherries and, my favorite discovery, peaches and cream corn. Locally grown, this corn is true to its name as every bite delivers a sweetness akin to the stone fruit.
Pistachio Tarta de Queso by Burnt Basque Cheesecake by Chele (@cheesecakebychele)
The much loved Burnt Basque Cheesecake is but a wonderful canvas for Chele Gonzalez to sprinkle his creativity on. This he has proven time and again, and in time for Father’s Day, he adds more weight to this claim by introducing the Pistachio Tarta de Queso.
“It’s our boldest creation yet. It’s nutty, rich, refined, and perfectly balanced—a tribute to one of the world’s most beloved ingredients,” says his partner (in life and business) Teri Echiverri Gonzalez. The gooey, runny Tarta de Queso base made from a luscious mix of two fine cheeses is made aromatic and subtly sweet with the nutty and smooth body.
Bacon Three-Ways from Baken (@shopbaken)
“I grew up in the Philippines eating porkalicious meals all the time,” says Rachel Carrasco, founder of Baken. “Pork is deeply woven into Filipino culture, and bacon is the ultimate expression of my love for it. More than just a breakfast staple, it’s an obsession that deserves the spotlight all day, every day.”
It is this hankering that led her to open a brand that presents bacon multiple ways—from stackable bacon chips and bacon cookies to spreadable bacon jam.
Lechon Diva at The Grand Kitchen by The Grand Hyatt Manila (@grandhyattmanilaph)
Dedet dela Fuente took a sabbatical from kitchen work to tend to personal needs. But now she’s back—and in a grand way. On June 12 to June 15, the celebrated lechon diva gets a spot at the lunch and dinner buffet of the hotel to serve some of her bestselling dishes, alongside Grand Hyatt’s very own selection, which include their signature Hainanese Chicken, an Indian section as well as Japanese favorites like sushi and shrimp tempura.
She makes the roster more festive and celebratory with the addition of her Hiplog or shrimps with salted egg, Balut Salpicao, Kare-Kareng Kasuy, Crab Gulong-gulong, and her lechon stuffed with bagoong rice or truffle rice.
The Alf Cake from Flour Pot (@flourpotph)
Fathers do love their cup of coffee. That’s why for Father’s Day, chef Rhea Sycip turned to the morning brew for flavor inspiration and matched it with others to produce a delectable combination like no other. Sponge cake is soaked in espresso syrup, then layered in between hazelnut buttercream and candied orange buttercream.
Coffee and Cacao Burnt Basque Cheesecake by El Born (@elbornph)
“It’s one of the best we’ve ever done,” said chef David Amoros of El Born Pastisseria about their latest limited edition variant. It’s a healthy collaboration among three brands: El Born, Yardstick Coffee, and The Cacao Culture. To honor the local farmers as well as highlight sustainably sourced ingredients, Amoros used freshly roasted coffee beans from Sitio Belis in Atok, Benguet, and pure Filipino cacao tablea to come up with a handmade creamy cheesecake that’s decadently deep in flavor.
Chocolate and Berry Velvet Crunch by Butternut Bakery (@butternutmnl)
Butternut Bakery Manila just released a limited edition Father’s Day collection, made up of two cakes (available for preorder and in-store pick up). There’s the Pop of Caramel, soft vanilla chiffon cake layered with their signature house-made caramel filling. And then, there’s the brand’s most indulgent cake yet, the Chocolate and Berry Velvet Crunch—moist chocolate layers filled with hazelnut cream, house-made strawberry compote, and walnut praline. It’s rich, luscious, and full of surprises—just like Dad.
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