An epic collaboration featuring the masters behind Marriott Philippines’ culinary gems.
Six distinguished chefs from acclaimed restaurants across Marriott Philippines and a celebrated Kapampangan chef will come together for EPICURIOUS, a one-night, nine-course culinary experience on August 21, 2026, at the Clark Marriott Hotel Grand Ballroom.
Seven Stories Served at One Table
EPICURIOUS unfolds as an epic told through taste, both as a narrative and as an experience. Yet not every epic is written.
Others live on through recipes, stories, and meals shared around the table.
In Pampanga, food has always carried more than flavor. It holds family histories, local identity and knowledge passed from one generation to the next. Cooking is both craft and language. A dish can recall a childhood kitchen, mark a celebration or reveal where someone comes from.
This makes Pampanga a meaningful setting for EPICURIOUS. Its culinary reputation is rooted in generations of mastery, ingenuity and respect for tradition. By bringing chefs and cuisines from around the world to the province, EPICURIOUS adds a new chapter to afood culture that continues to preserve heritage, welcome new influences and give travelers a deeper sense of place.
Clark adds another layer to the story. It has become a gateway for travelers, cultures and ideas, yet it remains connected to a province with one of the country’s deepest culinary identities. Here, the global and the local do not compete for space. They meet at the same table.
For the evening, Clark Marriott becomes that table.
“Pampanga understands that food is more than what is served on the plate. It is heritage, identity and a source of pride,” says Brian Shin, General Manager of Clark Marriott Hotel.
“Its recipes carry generations of history, and its tables have long brought people together.
This is why Pampanga stands at the heart of Filipino cuisine.”
“EPICURIOUS brings the world to that table. Our chefs may come from different countries and culinary traditions, but food gives them a common language. It allows us to share stories, connect cultures and find common ground, with Pampanga at the heart of it all.”
A Plot That Crosses Culinary Borders
The chefs of EPICURIOUS arrive from different corners of the culinary map, each carrying the tastes of home, discoveries from travel, and a few delicious detours along the way.
Consider this a trip around the world—minus the jet lag, plus several courses.
The journey sets out from the Atlantic coast of Cádiz, where Chef Álvaro Romero-abreu Raya first encountered the Spanish flavors he now reimagines at Cantabria in The Westin Manila. From Spain, the route crosses the Atlantic to Peru, then reaches across the Pacific to Japan. These two culinary worlds meet in the cooking of Peruvian chef Rodrigo Serrano at DIP Nikkei in Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort, Cebu’s first Peruvian-Nikkei restaurant.
Moving through East Asia, the journey first reaches South Korea, whose food and culture have found an enthusiastic following among Filipinos. At Clark Marriott Hotel’s Smoki Moto, Chef Simon Moon brings the smoke, sizzle, and communal spirit of Korean dining to life. Here, the grill does much of the talking—and it has plenty to say.
The route then continues to China, whose centuries of trade and cultural exchange with the Philippines continue to resonate in Filipino cuisine. At Wu Xing, also within Clark Marriott Hotel, Chef Lucas Zhou celebrates the richness of Cantonese dining through signature duck specialties, layered flavors, and artful presentation.
The epic next sails into the Pearl of the Orient, where food is a love language, second helpings are practically mandatory and “Kumain ka na?” is both a question and a warm welcome. Chef Erwin Marquez first learned that language in his grandmother’s carinderia, where his love for cooking took root. That early influence continues to guide his work at CRU Steakhouse in Manila Marriott Hotel.
Alongside him is German chef Meik Brammer, fondly known as “The Big Chef.” His more than 25 years with Marriott have taken him through kitchens and cuisines around the world.
As Manila Marriott Hotel’s Director of Culinary Operations, he leads the hotel’s diverse dining concepts and culinary teams, mentoring chefs and helping define its place among the country’s most celebrated dining destinations. Together with Chef Álvaro and Chef Rodrigo, they represent Michelin Guide Selected dining destinations at EPICURIOUS.
Bringing the story home to Pampanga is featured Kapampangan chef Bong Sagmit, the restaurateur behind Tito Boy, a dining destination in Clark known for its inventive cuisine and refined take on Filipino flavors. His cooking gives the global table its Kapampangan soul and reminds guests why Pampanga is where this story belongs.
An epic told in nine courses
The dinner will unfold in nine courses, each one a chapter revealing something about the chef behind it: a place remembered, a tradition inherited, a technique mastered or an idea discovered along the way.
The experience extends beyond the plate, so diners do not topple over their seats in boredom. Thoughtful pacing, attentive service and introductions from the chefs add depth to the evening without turning dinner into a lecture.
“With nine courses, balance is everything,” says Chef Simon Moon, Executive Chef of Clark Marriott Hotel. “Guests can look forward to a dramatic seafood opening, rich and comforting courses, delicately prepared fish that melts in the mouth, and exquisitely tender, deeply flavored meat. A bright citrus sorbet refreshes the palate before the menu closes with a creamy, subtly nutty dessert.”
When the story moves beyond the plate
Dining engages more than the palate. Kammerchor Manila will make the evening sound as wonderful as it tastes. The ensemble is one of the Philippines’ premier choirs and has received numerous international accolades, including being named Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales.
Since 1992, Kammerchor Manila has shared Filipino choral music with audiences around the globe. The choir will perform under the musical direction of Maestro Anthony Go Villanueva.
Their presence strikes just the right chord with the chefs. Both the choir and the culinary masters have earned international acclaim while staying true to their cultural roots. At EPICURIOUS, music and cuisine will come together as languages that need no translation.
A seat at the table
Tickets are priced at PHP 8,540 nett per person and include a welcome cocktail, a nine-course tasting menu, selected wine pairings, and live performances. Guests are invited to dress in black-and-white cocktail chic.
Reservations may be made at any Clark Marriott desk or reception area. Full payment is required to confirm a reservation, and as seating is limited, guests are encouraged to book early.
For tickets and inquiries, contact Clark Marriott Hotel at +63 999 992 4055, email clarkmarriotthotel@marriott.com, or message the hotel through its official Facebook page
