Filipino-British Chef Josh Boutwood’s The Test Kitchen has been listed on CNN Global’s Best New Restaurants in Asia in 2020 and its chef described as “dynamic” and “progressive”.
The Test Kitchen, a 42-seat space found in One Rockwell, Makati, is renowned in food spheres for being a test kitchen made public. The menu is seasonal and temporary, tailored to the customer’s gustatory restrictions.
Chef Boutwood, who serves the dishes himself and explains the process of their conception, describes it as a place of experimentation to find “more culinary masterpieces.”
“Techniques frequently include curing, especially in home-made salumi, while fermentation again demonstrates its critical role within Filipino cuisine. Boutwood explains the guiding principle of The Test Kitchen: ‘Time is an ingredient. We want to make sure that we use techniques that amplify the flavor and not hide it.’ That translates to dishes like his porridge, which sounds simple but combines barley, abalone, shiso and more with red miso.”
CNN Travel’s international shortlist of restaurants, which spotlights either the avant-garde or heavily-heritage, had listed various restaurants in Asia of multiple cuisines befitting the diverse continent, with each bringing something new to the table.
Bistro Group’s Executive Chef is no stranger to keeping a rapport with his patrons, as his other restaurant, Helm, is centered around this idea of an informal performance and exchange between diners and their chefs. His other restaurant, Savage, centers around the idea of “pre-industrial dining,” where dishes are cooked over an open fire.
Last year, another Filipino restaurant appeared on Asia’s best restaurants list. Toyo Eatery starred as the only Filipino restaurant on the list with its foundation is of cultural and national rediscovery.
Also last year, CNN covered national dishes and listed unique palates that can be traced back as regional favorites.
Philippine cuisine is not only found in Asia either: a tricentennial Viennese hotel had begun serving up national favorites on their menu. There, a Filipino mother-and-son duo serves home recipes with care.
SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to the Test Kitchen for making CNN Travel’s Best New Asia-Pacific Restaurants list!
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