Bacolod-born Chef Paolo Peñalosa and Maria Carmel Tabligan of Namit Filipino Barbecue clinched the coveted People’s Choice Award at the 2025 Embassy Chef Challenge in Washington D.C.
The Philippine Embassy in Washington announced their victory, which took place on July 10 at the historic Andrew Mellon Auditorium.
Their winning entry was a vibrant and flavorful combination of Bangus ala Pobre — a savory and tender milkfish dish served with ensaladang talong (grilled eggplant salad) on a bed of garlic rice. The meal was paired with a Calamansi Sunset cocktail.
The accompanying rum cocktail, made from the iconic Filipino citrus fruit, calamansi, added a zesty and refreshing touch that perfectly complemented the bold flavors of the dish, according to the embassy’s press release.
Peñalosa and Tabligan’s triumph marks the Philippines’ fourth People’s Choice Award win at the Embassy Chef Challenge.
“This victory is a celebration of our heritage and a tribute to the rich culinary traditions of the Philippines. I am proud to showcase our flavors on such a wonderful platform. Thank you to the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., for selecting us as their representative,” Peñalosa said.
Born and raised in Bacolod City, Peñalosa developed a passion for Filipino cuisine at a young age, honing his skills at the International School for Culinary Arts and Hotel Management in Manila.
He gained experience working in Manila, Singapore, and Palau before moving to the US, where he became the head chef of Beclaws Seafood Restaurant and Let’s Taco in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Now, he dedicates his culinary efforts to showcasing Ilonggo flavors with Namit Filipino Barbecue, based in Howard County, Maryland, the press release said.
Tabligan, a pastry chef in Maryland and a graduate of Howard Community College, was part of the team that won first place at the Annual Chocolate Ball in 2014.
With her passion for pastry, she founded her small business, Sweetcaramels, and has since been creating both pastry and savory menus at Namit Filipino Barbecue.
The Embassy Chef Challenge (ECC), part of the 2025 Events DC International City Food Festival, is D.C.’s annual culinary showdown where chefs from embassies worldwide showcase the unique flavors of their respective countries.
During this global culinary experience, guests play a crucial role in determining the People’s Choice Award winner by casting votes for their favorite dishes, the embassy press release said.*