Meet
Dominic
Dominic is a Manila-based chef who studied at the Institute for Hotel and Restaurant Studies (IHRS) and trained as a student chef. After completing culinary school, he inherited and carefully translated his family’s heirloom recipes from Spanish to English, later compiling them and plan to publish a book. It includes Spanish-Filipino specialties from the Nakpil family of Quiapo and heirloom recipes from the Santos-Viola family of San Miguel.
Dominic now works as a Spanish-English bilingual Quality Analyst Lead at a Global Financial Institution, but his passion for cooking has remained constant. On weekends, he dedicates his time to private catering for intimate gatherings, where he brings his family’s traditional recipes to life alongside new creations developed with his partner Alejandro. He has been featured on both local and international television, showcasing his family’s renowned heirloom dish, Cabeza de Jabalí (wild boar’s head). Whether hosting guests or painting on canvas during quiet moments at home, Dominic blends heritage, creativity, and heartfelt hospitality in every experience he offers.
What to expect
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
In-home meal:
(1-10 guests)
Enjoy an authentic Filipino-Spanish heritage dining in the heart of Manila at the historic Bahay Nakpil-Bautista, a 1914 Viennese Secession–style ancestral home and museum located in the Heritage Zone of Quiapo. This beautifully preserved house features exhibits about the Philippine Revolution and offers an intimate glimpse into the Nakpil family’s legacy.
Your experience begins with a guided tour of Dominic’s house museum, where you’ll learn about his family history, ancestral traditions, and the stories behind their treasured heirloom recipes. After the tour, sit down to enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared using generations-old Nakpil family recipes. Your meal may include dishes such as potato, kangkong with crab meat salad (water spinach with crab meat), adobo sa puti (white vinegar-braised chicken or pork), or callos (Spanish-style ox tripe stew) served with rice. End your meal with mini turon in liqueur syrup (caramelized banana spring rolls in syrup) served with ice cream.
This Manila food experience combines history, culture, and traditional Filipino home cooking in a unique heritage setting. It’s perfect for travelers seeking a cultural food tour in Manila, a heritage house visit, and an authentic local dining experience in Quiapo.
Cooking experience:
(1-10 guests)
Join Dominic for a hands-on Manila cooking class at his beautifully preserved heritage house museum in the heart of Quiapo. This immersive 1.5-hour Filipino cooking class blends culture, history, and traditional home cooking in an intimate ancestral setting.
You will help Dominic prepare two heirloom Nakpil family recipes passed down through generations - a salad and a main dish. Begin with hands-on prep work in the kitchen, where you’ll learn traditional techniques and the family stories behind each recipe. Then move to the dining area, where Dominic will demonstrate the cooking process on a portable cooktop, guiding you step by step. Learn to cook his great-grandmother’s potato, kangkong (water spinach) with crab meat salad in vinagreta and aceitunas aliñadas (marinated olives), and the family’s favorite, asadong manok (braised chicken in savory sauce).
This authentic Manila culinary experience is perfect for travelers searching for a cooking class in Manila, a heritage food experience in Quiapo, or a Filipino-Spanish heirloom cooking class in a historic house museum.
Market visit:
(1-10 guests)
Join Dominic for an immersive Manila guided market tour at the bustling Quiapo Market, located directly across from the iconic Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. Experience the vibrant energy as churchgoers, vendors, and shoppers converge, creating a truly authentic Manila atmosphere. As you stroll toward Globo de Oro, you’ll encounter stalls overflowing with fresh fruits and vegetables, showcasing the market’s daily freshness and vitality. Deeper inside, discover an impressive variety of seafood, from fresh fish and shellfish to dried and salted daing and smoked tinapa, reflecting traditional Filipino market flavors. The lively calls of vendors and the scent of the sea enhance this full sensory Manila food experience. No Filipino market tour is complete without a stop at Excelente Chinese Cooked Ham, a local culinary landmark famous for its traditional Chinese ham. After the market walk, continue your Filipino culinary experience at Dominic’s museum home, where you can enjoy a freshly prepared meal or participate in a hands-on Filipino cooking class, depending on your booking.
Notes:
1. Dominic can accommodate lactose-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan dietary requests if informed in advance at the time of booking.
2. Dominic is generally unavailable on weekdays due to his full-time job. However, for special requests made at least two weeks in advance, he may be able to arrange leave. Please email reservations to check availability.
Languages spoken:
English, Filipino and Spanish
Sample menu
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