The Philippines National Winner will compete against top chefs across the region to celebrate Italian Gastronomy while fostering innovation and culinary excellence

The Philippines National Finals of the Barilla Pasta Championship Asia has crowned Chef Aaron Joseph Gulinao, of The Westin Manila, as the National Winner of this year’s competition.

Chef Aaron will represent the Philippines alongside eight other top chefs in the prestigious Barilla Pasta Championship Asia Finals, which will be held in November 2025. There, they will compete for the Barilla Pasta Championship Asia Final Champion title, as well as a chance to embark on an exclusive culinary journey to Parma, Italy, immersing themselves in the rich traditions of Italian gastronomy.

This is the second year of the Barilla Pasta Championship Asia, where Barilla brings together talented chefs from across Asia to hone their skills, elevate their craft, and celebrate the essence of Italian cuisine. This year’s competition received over 70 entries, with six shortlisted chefs participating in the exhilarating National Finals held at De La Salle College of Saint Benilde to showcase their culinary skills and interpretation of classic Italian cuisine.

Chef Aaron’s winning dish – Barilla Spaghetti in Alaminos Longganisa Ragu with Smoked Kesong Puti – is inspired by his wife’s love for Alaminos Longganisa, a Filipino pork sausage from Alaminos, Pangasinan, known for its savoury and garlicky flavour. The dish is built from the classic carbonara recipe with a Filipino twist using local ingredients like longganisa, which offers a similar flavour profile to the traditionally used cured Italian meats, and smoked kesong puti mousse, a cheese from Chef Aaron’s hometown in Bulacan. 

Chef Aaron recently discovered the soft, unaged, white cheese that is made from unskimmed carabao milk and salt curdled with vinegar or citrus juices. “It brought a smoky, creamy depth that balanced the richness of the ragu and complemented the pasta beautifully, and I was struck by how it elevated the dish,” he shared. To round off the flavours, calamansi zest and crispy chicharon are added for a burst of local flavours with depth and richness that appeals to local and international tastebuds.

Chef Aaron Joseph Gulinao’s dish “Barilla Spaghetti in Alaminos Longganisa Ragu with Smoked Kesong Puti” marries local Filipino ingredients with Italy’s culinary tradition

The dish impressed a prestigious jury composed of award-winning chefs from across Asia, including Andrea Tranchero, Executive Chef of Barilla Asia Pacific, Chef Margarita Marty, Chairperson of the Culinary Arts Program of Benilde’s School of Restaurant and Institution Management (SHRIM), Chef Carlo Miguel, Director for Sports & Socials at LTB Philippines Chefs Association, and Chef Othmar Frei, Chief Operating Officer of Werdenberg International. Each dish was evaluated on its aesthetic presentation, harmony of flavours, and technical execution.

The judges were impressed by Chef Aaron’s approach and ability to craft a dish that was simple yet teeming with rich flavours. By fusing locally sourced ingredients with classic Italian techniques, he was able to demonstrate refined cooking skills rooted in precision and preparation. The seamless fusion of Filipino flavors with Barilla’s pasta brought to life Chef Aaron’s culinary imagination and deep appreciation for pasta – the soul food of Italy.

Chef Aaron began his culinary journey at the Marriott Hotel in Manila, starting as a trainee before working his way up to a regular position. He is currently a Demi Chef based at Westin Manila, a sister company under the Marriott group. With nine years of experience in professional kitchens, Chef Aaron’s culinary journey is a testament to passion and pursuit of excellence, and Barilla has long been a staple in his kitchen. 

“I first learnt about the competition in 2023 and I’ve made it a goal to challenge myself through this competition and to see how far I can push myself in the global culinary stage while bringing Filipino flavours to more,” shared Chef Aaron Joseph Gulinao. “To me, competitions like this allow me to express who I am as a Filipino chef. I appreciate the opportunity to share our local flavors on an international stage and even prouder to represent the Philippines in the regional Finals.”

At the heart of every dish was Barilla’s signature pasta—crafted from a high-quality semolina blend, backed by over 145 years of pasta-making expertise and longstanding knowledge rooted in Italian traditions. Well-known for its consistency, texture, and excellent cooking performance, Barilla pasta empowers chefs to bring their boldest ideas to life.

“At Barilla, we are proud to have inspired and supported food professionals in Philippines in showcasing and elevating their Italian gastronomy craft. Italian cuisine continues to be a staple in the Philippines, and we remain committed to collaborating with chefs to create recipes that truly resonate with Filipinos. We look forward to supporting their journey as they bring their masterpieces to the Grand Finals,” said Chef Andrea Tranchero, Executive Chef at Barilla Group.

About Barilla for Professionals

Barilla is a family business, chaired by the brothers Guido, Luca and Paolo Barilla. It was founded by their great-grandfather Pietro Barilla, who opened a bakery in Parma in 1877. Today, Barilla is renowned in Italy and around the world for the quality of its food products. With its brands, it advocates tasty, hearty and wholesome nutrition, inspired by the Mediterranean Diet and the Italian lifestyle. Barilla for Professionals offers a wide range of high-quality pasta and sauces, designed to meet the needs of the horeca industry, with solutions that support chefs in creating authentic, consistent, and time-efficient pasta meals, from classic ranges to innovative products like Selezione Oro Chef. For more details, visit Barilla for Professionals or LinkedIn.