Four award-winning Filipino chefs are coming in hot for Season 2 of the international culinary competition series ‘Iron Chef Thailand vs Asia.’
Dropping on Netflix on Oct. 10, Saturday, AC Agra, Sonny Mariano, Mav Javier, and Mia Yan of LTB Team Philippines are turning up the heat in Bangkok’s Kitchen Stadium where they will compete against Thailand alongside returning team China and new participants South Korea and Indonesia to test their culinary skills and mettle, take home the prestigious Iron Chef Asia Trophy, and earn pride for the country.
The 10-episode series pits the contestants against each other across various challenges, which include working with secret ingredients, navigating tag-team relays, and creative storytelling tasks.
Agra, the executive chef of the Antonio’s Group of Restaurants and bronze medalist at the Global Vegan Chefs Challenge 2024, relishes the grueling tests. ‘I’ve been a fan of ‘Iron Chef’ since I was a kid,’ he says. ‘Competition has always been in my blood and every challenge has shaped me into the competitor I am today. But ‘Iron Chef Thailand vs Asia’ is different. It’s personal… I gave everything I have, fought for every plate, and carried my passion, my pride, and my country with me.’
For Tsukiji executive sous chef Yan, the opportunity to compete in ‘Iron Chef’ meant more than just showcasing her talents or why she was part of the team that won the Best Culinary Establishment at FHA Singapore in 2016. ‘I wasn’t there to ask for acceptance. I was there to show what experience, courage, passion, and Filipino heart can create under pressure,’ she says.
It was also the same for Javier, corporate executive chef at Rekado Global Food Solutions Inc. and Chef of the Year at Philippine Culinary Cup 2024: ”Iron Chef Thailand vs Asia reminded me that I have what it takes to compete with the best, and I still have so much more to give.’
‘I wasn’t there to ask for acceptance. I was there to show what experience, courage, passion, and Filipino heart can create under pressure,’ Mia Yan says
Rounding out the four-strong team is Tasteless Food Group chef consultant Sonny Mariano who is no stranger to international culinary competitions. He is a Gold and Silver Medalist in Food and Hotel Asia (2016), the Philippine Culinary Cup in 2010, and a recipient of recognitions for his dishes at Hong Kong International Culinary Classic.
‘I couldn’t be more grateful for the chance to represent our country once again,’ he says.