Celebrating chef Chele Gonzalez
José Luis “Chele” Gonzalez is the driving force behind Gallery by Chele and Asador Alfonso. Beyond these flagship establishments, Gonzalez has also partnered with some of the country’s best hotels restaurants including Enye at Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Cebu; Cantabria at The Westin Manila; and Samira at Anya Resort Tagaytay.
Chele came to the Philippines on a whim, serving in the kitchens of leading hotels before establishing Gallery Vask (later the one-star Michelin Gallery by Chele), which went on to become one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the Philippines.
Mineral water Evian has appointed Chele González as its brand ambassador in the Philippines as Evian marks 200 years since it first began bottling its natural mineral water in Évian-les-Bains, France. The brand is celebrating the bicentenary this year through a series of chef-led events and hospitality initiatives across the Asia-Pacific.
Chele traveled to Évian-les-Bains in France where he joined chefs and hospitality professionals from around the world for the brand’s anniversary celebrations. For Chele, the trip offered a deeper appreciation of a product that has long been present in fine dining saying “Every time I drink Evian now, it tastes even better. It made me appreciate the nature and purity of Evian, and why it is a special mineral water.”
At Gallery by Chele and Asador Alfonso, water is considered part of the overall dining experience. "What we are looking for is a water that gives more life to the food," Chele explains. "Having Evian at the table makes me more comfortable because I know it is the right water for my dishes."
As brand ambassador, Chele will be participating in a series of culinary events and industry gatherings throughout the year, and he already threw a lunch at Asador Alfonso, which gathered chefs, partners, and members of the hospitality community to celebrate a wonderful lunch with Evian and to mark Chele’s nearly 25 years in the industry. The lunch included some of Asador Alfonso’s favorites like the lenguado (sole fish), cochinillo, and the famous carabinero (scarlet prawn).
Chele is one of the leading figures in contemporary Philippine gastronomy. Through Gallery by Chele and Asador Alfonso, his work has helped shine a light on local ingredients, producers, and culinary traditions while contributing to the country’s growing reputation as a dining destination. For Evian, the partnership reflects a longstanding presence in restaurants and dining rooms where attention is paid to what is served on the plate and what is poured into the glass.
Congratulations, Chele! Looking forward to your 25th year in the industry very soon!
