This week in food and flavor
The holidays are busier than ever, even more so for the food and beverage scene. Brands are teaming up for year-ender collaborations, opening new stores (or even expanding into new branches), and taking advantage of the festive season to launch special bundles and promos—all designed to reel in a hungry crowd.
With so much happening, there’s plenty to taste, try, and explore. Here’s your guide to the latest happenings.
1. Ramen Ron and Warabimochi Kamakura soft launch limited-time-only parfaits
Now with a Michelin Select title to its name, Ramen Ron is soft serving a trio of exclusive parfaits—aptly called “Warabimochi Parfait”—together with Japanese dessert chain Warabimochi Kamakura in a move to highlight texture, flavor contrast, and Japanese dessert craftsmanship in creamy swirls and soft bites of warabimochi.
Known for its soft, jelly-like texture, warabimochi is a traditional Japanese confection made with warabi starch (bracken). Pillowy, stretchy, and tender, it also doubles as a blank canvas for other flavors, while elevating the creaminess of Ramen Ron’s signature soft serve.
Diners can choose from:
• Kinako Taho Warabimochi Parfait: milk soft serve base, flanked with bites of kinako warabimochi, sago pearls, and kuromitsu syrup—finished off with crunchy kinako tuile
• Sweet Corn Warabimochi Parfait: atop milky soft serve goes a drizzle of corn mousse and a crowning of crunchy cornflakes, candied popcorn, torched sweet corn, and soft warabimochi
• Black Sesame Cheesecake Warabimochi Parfait: milk soft serve base with black sesame warabimochi, black sesame cheesecake, and a charcoal chocolate shell, served with a crunchy black and white sesame tuile on the side
The Warabimochi Parfaits are available from Nov. 19, 2025, to Jan. 18, 2026, at both Ramen Ron Rockwell (Edades Tower) and Ramen Ron BGC (Central Square) for P395 each —Diane Nicole Go
2. World-class burgers get a green light in Filipino-American chef Alvin Cailan’s BGC concept
Don’t expect large neon signs to point you to the next great burger—all you have to watch out for is the stoplight: green, it’s open; red, it’s closed. The brains behind this unnamed restaurant is the chef behind some of the world’s best burgers: Filipino American chef Alvin Cailan.
The burger concept, created through a partnership with Geronimo Concepts and the Lao family, brings Cailan’s deep passion and expertise right into the heart of Manila’s dining scene.
On Instagram, the concept goes by the name “Burgers by Alvin Cailan”—simple and straightforward, which is exactly what you’ll get once you visit the place. The short menu features burgers with single, double, thin, and thick patty options. Don’t underestimate the simplicity of the menu, though; it’s what allows each ingredient—all made from scratch—to shine.
Keeping with the stoplight theme, the burgers can be enjoyed with either red, yellow, or green sauces. Their classic red is made with sun-dried tomato paste, patis, muscovado sugar, apple cider vinegar, mayo, and a little mustard. For something bright, go for the green sauce: a mix of tarragon, cilantro, chives, and lemon juice. And for something a bit richer, try the yellow sauce, made with dijon mustard, miso, muscovado sugar, and mayo.
The compact space, designed by JJ Acuña, is reminiscent of retro New York train diners, flooded in warm yellow tones and accented by sleek countertops. The restaurant can only seat 12 indoors—six at a plush corner booth, and six at the counter. Reservations for indoor seating will be available. Outdoor seating is open for walk-ins —Pauline Miranda
3. Pan de Manila’s nostalgic holiday paper bag showcases art by young artist Jerika See
For 25 years, Pan de Manila has been a staple in Filipino households. Its familiar brown paper bag signals warm pandesal, broken and shared around the table—a comforting constant quietly bearing witness to shared meals and memories.
Continuing a longstanding tradition of uplifting Filipino culture, celebrating the holiday spirit, and showcasing local talent, the brand tapped young artist Jerika See to design the 2025 Pan de Manila holiday bag. Her whimsical, top-view illustrations capture the warmth of family: three generations gathered around a Noche Buena spread, with pets curled up by the table, and everyone relishing in the simple joys of sharing bread—complete with glowing capiz parols and flowers that perfectly echo the spirit of the holidays.
“[Pan de Manila’s] timeless presence inspired me while designing this year’s paper bag: the idea of pandesal as something woven into every Filipino occasion,” See says. “The top-view perspective allows me to tell many stories at once, highlighting the genuine spirit of a Filipino Christmas… [and in my work,] I wanted to honor past paper bag artists while also bringing my own unique vision. By keeping the tradition alive, I want to reflect Filipino culture and highlight the presence of Pan de Manila in everyday life.” —Diane Nicole Go
For updates, follow @PandeManilaOfficial on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, while also following @Meriendamanila on Instagram
4. French apples make their way to Filipino tables
Crisp texture, juicy flavor, and eye-catching colors. French apples are set to make their mark here in the Philippines, following a growing market demand for high-quality, nutritious, diverse, and globally-inspired food choices.
And with apple varieties that come from France, such as the Juliet, Pink Lady, and Jazz—each grown using eco-responsible practices, rooted in strong principles of biodiversity, traceability, and varietal richness—Filipinos can now enjoy apples that are sustainable as they are delicious.
Under the Taste France banner, helmed by Interfel, a series of nationwide campaigns will be launched from November 2025 to February 2026, with press events featuring celebrated Filipino chefs (starting with chefs Rolando and Jacqueline Laudico), who creatively blend Filipino cuisine with French apples in a festive culinary experience, alongside in-store promotions at supermarkets and specialty outlets.
The goal? To highlight the growing connection between French producers and Filipino consumers, while showcasing that French apples are more than just fruit—they are a symbol of heritage, craftsmanship, and the French art of living. — Diane Nicole Go
5. A timeless gift, made even more golden with Ferrero Rocher
To receive a gleaming box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates has always been a quietly luxurious treat. It makes the perfect gift for almost every occasion, treasured by everyone who receives it. This holiday season, there’s more to Ferrero Rocher gifts than just the delectable chocolates.
Ferrero Rocher’s “Add Your Golden Touch” promo makes gifting even more special as it gives everyone a chance to win a trip for two to Italy, a hotel stay at Hilton Manila, or Grab e-vouchers. To join the promo, Ferrero products purchased (of P120 worth) from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 can be registered on ferrerorocherph.com, where registrants can play games. The top 111 winners will take home prizes.
Winners will be announced on the website and Ferrero Rocher’s official Facebook page on Jan. 6, 2026.
