CHEF SHARWIN TEE SHINES A LIGHT ON FILIPINO TSINOY CUISINE AT MARRIOTT CAFÉ

“Wok the Toque Cook-Off Challenge” with celebrity Chef Sharwin Tee (left) versus Man Ho Executive Chef Chan Chi Fai (right) held during the launch of Marriott Café’s “Sinagtala Famsgiving Tsinoy Cuisine Edition”.  The cook-off was aimed towards differentiating authentic “Filipino Tsinoy Cuisine” from authentic “Chinese Cantonese Cuisine”. Chef Sharwin showcased the Tsinoy Diok Pit He (stuffed deep-fried shrimp), while Chef Chan prepared the Cantonese Bi Feng Tang (deep fried shrimp). Manila Marriott Hotel Director of Culinary Meik Brammer emphasized that the cook-off was a friendly competition that celebrates both Tsinoy and Chinese cuisines.

After the successful run of the “Zambasulta Cuisine Edition” of Marriott Café’s Sinagtala Famsgiving with two-time Bib Gourmand Tausug Chef Miguel Moreno in April and May, Michelin-Guide-Listed Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts this time introduces the “Tsinoy Cuisine Edition” on August 5 under its two-month Moonfest celebration with a kitchen takeover by renowned Chinese-Filipino Chef Sharwin Tee, a Tsinoy Cuisine advocate. Verbalizing his commitment, Tee shared, “I love to shine a light on Tsinoy cuisine because it underscores the contributions of Tsinoys to Filipino culture and history and how truly integrated the Tsinoy community is into society. In a way, Tsinoy Cuisine is also as much of a regional Filipino cuisine as say, Ilonggo, Maranao or Ilokano cuisine.” The “Sinagtala Famsgiving Tsinoy Cuisine Edition” at the multi-awarded Marriott Cafe will be available dinner time, all Wednesdays and Thursdays from August to September 2026.

Manila Marriott Hotel remains strong with its vow to educate and make domestic and international tourists appreciate the rich Filipino gastronomic heritage through its Sinagtala Philippine Culinary Arts campaign as a platform used to reach global audiences, tapping into Marriott International’s 10,000 properties present in 146 countries and territories worldwide. Beyond the archipelago, the hotel aims to position “Tsinoy Cuisine” alongside with some popular ones like Singapore’s Peranakan and Peru’s Nikkei to name a few.   

“It's not only nice but absolutely vital that more hotels look into creating and supporting programs like Sinagtala. Filipino cuisine is so diverse because of our various regions and featuring them individually not only shines the light on them but it celebrates all of Filipino cuisine because it highlights exactly how rich in culture and history Filipino cuisine truly is. If we want the world to truly celebrate and enjoy FIlipino cuisine, then we must arm ourselves with as much knowledge of our different regional cuisines as possible, in the most delicious way possible.” Tee added. 

Chinese-Filipino Chef Sharwin Tee, a Tsinoy Cuisine advocate

The dedicated section for Tsinoy dishes in the buffet spread of Marriott Café includes: Kiam Peng ( Kiam Pong) - Rice cooked with soy braised pork and mustard leaves; Diok Pit He (Camaron Rellenado) - Prawns wrapped in seasoned meat ball mixture and deep fried, usually served with banana catsup; Lumpia (Tsinoy Lumpia) - Braised vegetables and tofu served in a sprig roll wrap with toasted seaweed, egg ribbons and peanuts; Hong Ti Ka (Pata Tim) - Pork trotters braised in a sweet soy sauce glaze; Si Dit Misua (Misua Patola) - Wheat vermicelli soup with chicken, vegetables and served with boiled marinated egg; Tao Meng Tsai (Hair Vegetable) - Braised abalone, shrimp and clams with vegetables and dried sea moss; and Taro Sago - Taro and tapioca cooked in a spicy sweet coconut milk broth with sweetened jackfruit.

Many of these are familiar dishes that several Filipinos grew up with are classified either as Filipino or Chinese fare. They are typically served at home. These are mother and aunt dishes that are not usually found in menus of Tsinoy restaurants. The Sinagtala Famgiving Tsinoy Cuisine Edition shall make diners and foodies see Tsinoy Cuisine in a different light, in a category of its own. Available dinner time at Marriott Café all Wednesdays and Thursdays of August and September for P3,399 net per person.

For more information about Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, call (632) 8988 9999 or visit www.manilamarriott.com. Stay updated on their latest offers by following @manilamarriott on Facebook and Instagram.