Quezon City, Philippines — Chef Tatung Sarthou marks his tenth year of authorship with the release of his landmark Filipino cookbook, Pinas Simpol: The Love and Lore of Filipino Cooking. Arriving November 2025, the book stands as both a cultural manifesto and a celebration of Filipino cuisine—an anthology of essays paired with recipes that show how tradition and memory live on in everyday cooking.
To celebrate the launch, Chef Tatung will embark on a nationwide speaking tour and book events, bringing his philosophy of food and culture directly to audiences across the country.
Essays at the Heart
Pinas Simpol: The Love and Lore of Filipino Cooking places its essays at the core. Each one explores the deeper meaning of Filipino food—how survival shaped our cooking, why sharing defines our meals, and how geography influences our tastes.
“The essays explore the soul of Filipino cuisine,” Chef Tatung says. “They go beyond the kitchen to tackle the deeper issues and understanding of our food—how it was shaped by history, struggle, and survival. Every dish carries memory and value. The recipes guide the hand, but the essays give us insight, shaping the heart and mind.”
Recipes Rooted in Culture
Alongside the essays are carefully tested recipes organized by context and occasion—Everyday Starts, Comfort Classics, Fiesta Feasts. Readers will revisit staples like sinigang and kare-kare, while also rediscovering Filipino classics.
Each recipe follows the Simpol ABC Framework (Assemble, Build, Complete), Chef Tatung’s method that empowers home cooks with confidence while staying true to instinct and tradition.
A Full-Color Visual Feast
Spanning over 200 full-color pages, Pinas Simpol comes alive through the lens of photographer Paulo Valenzuela and the artistry of food stylist Chester Hernandez. Their work captures the vibrancy of Filipino cuisine—its colors, textures, and soul—making the book not only a cultural statement but also a visual treasure.
A Manifesto for Filipino Cuisine
This new Filipino cookbook makes a bold claim: Filipino food is not a luxury—it is a right. The book celebrates diversity as the true genius of our cuisine, from the many versions of adobo to fiery sinigang.
It also introduces Chef Tatung’s broader philosophy: Heart (generosity), Tongue (adaptability), and Geography(memory of place), supported by the Four Legs of the Table—Rooted, Resilient, Respectful, Responsive. These ideas frame Filipino food as both resilient and worthy of pride.
About Chef Tatung Sarthou
Chef Tatung Sarthou is one of the Philippines’ leading culinary voices. A multiple Gourmand World Cookbook Awardwinner and bestselling author, he is known for combining accessibility with cultural depth. He represented the Philippines at Madrid Fusión 2017 and has since used his books, restaurants, and media platforms to champion Filipino food globally.
His restaurants—Lore in Bonifacio Global City and Azadore in Quezon City—showcase storytelling through food, affirming his dual role as teacher and cultural advocate.
Availability
Pinas Simpol: The Love and Lore of Filipino Cooking will be released in November 2025 in major bookstores nationwide and on leading online platforms. Published by Vertikal Kreatives Inc., it is the first in a two-volume project marking Chef Tatung’s decade as an author.
Order Chef Tatung’s Books
Special discounts are available for bulk purchases, ideal for gifts, fundraisers, and educational programs. Customized print runs may also be arranged for advocacy initiatives.
Bulk orders & inquiries: Vertikal Kreatives Inc. — vertikal.kreatives101@gmail.com | +63 995 094 1624
Appearances, signings & speaking engagements: cheftatungprod@gmail.com
