The Maya Kitchen and FEATR Champion Filipino Food Heritage Through Culinary Revival

Celebrating tradition, storytelling, and innovation in the return of the Culinary Elite series

By Simpol |

March 23, 2026

Behind the experience are individuals whose work goes beyond the kitchen—chefs, educators, and storytellers who carry the responsibility of translating heritage into something both meaningful and enduring.

A Brand Rooted in Filipino Homes

For over six decades, MAYA has remained a constant presence in Filipino kitchens, shaping everyday cooking experiences and family traditions. Since its introduction in 1962, the brand’s hotcake mix has become a breakfast staple, familiar to generations who grew up with its comforting taste and ease of preparation. For many, it served as an introduction to cooking—transforming simple moments in the kitchen into lasting memories.

Over time, MAYA expanded its offerings to include a wide range of baking and pantry essentials, from brownie and cake mixes to flour and cornstarch. This evolution reflects the brand’s continued commitment to making cooking accessible while supporting the creativity of Filipino home cooks.

In every shared meal and prepared ingredient, there is a deeper narrative unfolding—one that speaks of origin, memory, and the enduring connection between people and place.

Reviving Culinary Elite with Purpose

The return of The Maya Kitchen Culinary Elite marks a renewed commitment to culinary education and cultural preservation. Originally held from 2010 to 2016, the program now reemerges with a clearer focus: to highlight heritage Filipino ingredients, strengthen ties with regional producers, and reintroduce traditional pantry staples through modern techniques. This initiative brings Maya Kitchen Culinary Elite Filipino food heritage into the spotlight with each workshop.

Ernesto Fajardo, President of Liberty Commodities Corporation, emphasized the deeper significance of the initiative, stating,

“For decades, MAYA has been part of Filipino family traditions—from breakfast hotcakes to first baking experiences in the kitchen. Reviving the Maya Kitchen Culinary Elite allows us to strengthen that legacy by working closely with chefs and storytellers who share our passion for promoting Filipino culinary education and innovation.”

This renewed direction positions the program not just as a cooking demonstration, but as a platform for storytelling, collaboration, and cultural continuity.

More than a culinary showcase, the revival of The Maya Kitchen Culinary Elite stands as a testament to the enduring value of Filipino heritage—where every ingredient carries a story and every dish becomes an act of preservation.

A Legacy of Teaching and Tradition

At the heart of the initiative is The Maya Kitchen’s long-standing role in culinary education. Known for its short courses and lifestyle classes, the institution has consistently empowered Filipinos to cook with confidence. In fact, Maya Kitchen Culinary Elite Filipino food heritage is regularly passed down through generations in these classes.

Maya Kitchen consultant Nina Daza Puyat highlighted this enduring mission, noting,

“The Maya Kitchen has always been about sharing knowledge and teaching Filipinos how to cook confidently at home. The Culinary Elite program allows us to promote and preserve our Filipino food heritage while adapting it for the next generation of home cooks.”

By bridging traditional knowledge with modern practices, the program ensures that Filipino cuisine continues to evolve without losing its essence.

Rooted in tradition yet open to reinvention, Filipino food reflects a living culture—one that evolves with time without losing the essence of where it began.

A Creative Partnership with FEATR

The collaboration with FEATR brings a dynamic dimension to the Culinary Elite revival. Known for its focus on food storytelling and cultural documentation, the platform aligns with MAYA’s advocacy for education and heritage preservation. Together, they create a space where ingredients are not only used but understood—where every dish carries a narrative of place, history, and identity.

FEATR founder Erwan Heussaff underscored this perspective, sharing,

“Filipino food has always been more than sustenance: it’s a record of who we are, where we came from, and what we’ve been through. FEATR exists to make sure those stories aren’t forgotten and to deepen how we understand and appreciate our food and ingredients today.”

This partnership transforms the culinary experience into an immersive journey, connecting audiences with the origins and cultural significance of what they cook and eat. In other words, Maya Kitchen Culinary Elite Filipino food heritage is at the core of this ongoing story.

By bringing attention to heritage ingredients and local practices, this initiative invites a more thoughtful appreciation of food as both sustenance and cultural expression.

Reimagining the Filipino Pantry

Central to the collaboration is Heussaff’s concept, “Not-So Modern Filipino Pantry,” which reinterprets heritage ingredients through contemporary, accessible recipes. The initiative showcases locally sourced elements rooted in regional traditions, presenting them in ways that suit today’s kitchens while preserving their authenticity.

Ingredients such as asin tultol from Guimaras, gamet from Cagayan, pudpod from Eastern Samar, sukang Paombong from Bulacan, pakaskas from Batangas, and kinuday from the Cordilleras highlight the richness and diversity of Filipino culinary resources. By bringing these ingredients into the spotlight, the series encourages more mindful cooking and supports the communities that produce them.

Through these reinterpretations, heritage ingredients are reframed not as relics of the past but as relevant, versatile components of modern Filipino cuisine.

Food, in its simplest form, becomes an archive of identity—holding within it the stories of communities, the wisdom of generations, and the richness of local traditions.

Continuing a Legacy of Culinary Excellence

Throughout its history, The Maya Kitchen Culinary Elite has featured some of the country’s most respected chefs and food advocates, including Glenda Barretto, Claude Tayag, JP Anglo, Jessie Sincioco, Tatung Sarthou, Chele Gonzales, and the late Margarita Forés. Their involvement has helped shape the program into a respected platform for culinary excellence and innovation.

With its revival, the initiative once again places Filipino chefs, ingredients, and storytelling at the forefront—ensuring that the traditions that define Filipino cooking continue to inspire present and future generations. By connecting heritage with creativity, The Maya Kitchen and FEATR reaffirm that Filipino cuisine is not only worth preserving, but also celebrating and evolving.