AT GALLERY BY CHELE, WE ARE EXPLORERS.

We travel around the Philippines and neighboring countries, examining the disparities and similarities among the local ingredients. We engage with the outside world not only to learn about global culinary techniques, design, and technology, but also to impart our own knowledge to others—after all, Filipinos have much to teach, as well.

We also travel through history, studying the age-old practices, tried-and-tested cooking methods, and time-honored traditions of farmers, fisherfolk, and home cooks, some of which are disappearing from the modern world.

By bringing all these together and developing dishes rooted in, but not bound by, Filipino heritage, we invite our diners to travel with us, too. Our journey becomes theirs; our discoveries, a shared pleasure.

Wherever it is that we go, we bring with us our love of nature. We make sure that everything we do at Gallery by Chele respects and reflects our close relationship with the land and sea, with flora and fauna. How could we boast of the beauty of the Philippines without safeguarding its sustainability? How could we champion the country’s body of gastronomic bounty, without caring for its soul?

This is why, while we will never stop exploring beyond our borders, we always remember where home is.

THE EXPERIENCE

One never knows what might spark inspiration—a common yet under-appreciated ingredient, a treasured tradition, or a beloved dish from childhood. We then combine complementary and contradictory components, apply local and foreign techniques, and create something that’s distinctly Filipino, but with a global perspective. Because at Gallery by Chele, we never forget which country we call home. Our grounding in the best endemic ingredients and authentic cooking and fermentation methods allows us to freely play with all the ideas the world has to offer. We can cross cultures while maintaining our sense of place and innovate while staying true to our origins.

This creative spirit extends to the drinks we offer, which can be enjoyed on their own or as part of a pairing menu. Our one-of-a-kind selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages was crafted by some of the most talented mixologists in the Philippines today. We give classic cocktails a twist with local ingredients and flavors, while our house mixologist uses artisanal methods to come up with homegrown ferments and natural beverages.

Team Gallery

The extraordinary pleasures of dining at our restaurant comes from more than just what is served on the plate. It is a multifaceted yet cohesive experience, carefully orchestrated by a gathering of diverse personalities from different backgrounds. Although we each have our own unique point of view, we are bound by shared values and one passion—to elicit joy, excitement, and wonder from every single guest.

We are a creative and dynamic set of both veterans and young professionals that are passionate about good food, great service, and local ingredients. Our collective hard work and collaboration, alongside the partnership of chefs Chele Gonzalez and Carlos Villaflor – in the kitchen, in travel, and in business – creates cross-cultural innovations from a Spanish-European culinary background, a Filipino heritage, and the cultures, journeys, and kitchens that we have shared in between.

Stvdio Lab

The Stvdio Lab is a test kitchen and venue of educative collaborations with universities and institutions involved in studies of agriculture, local ingredients, culinary methods, food and technology, and the like. As a cross point of research and cuisine, it is an extension of Gallery by Chele.