World-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay has savored countless dishes throughout his illustrious career on shows like MasterChef and Hell’s Kitchen. But at a fan meet yesterday at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City, he singled out Sisig tacos by Melbourne-based restaurant Serai as one of the best dishes he has tasted in recent years.
Ramsay was full of praise for Filipino chef Ross Magnaye, the mastermind behind Serai, whose innovative take on Filipino cuisine has gained international attention. Ramsay shared his experience tasting Serai’s Sisig tacos, which creatively use crispy pig’s ears, nose, and snout wrapped in a taco. “How exciting is that?” Ramsay remarked enthusiastically.
He also raved about Serai’s bone marrow dish, which reimagines a traditional Filipino ingredient. Ramsay described how the bone marrow was caramelized, doused with vodka, torched, and served with a live flame. “It was absolutely bang on. I just swallowed it!” he said.
Serai’s modern take on Filipino flavors has earned admiration from Ramsay, who noted the restaurant’s approach as a reflection of where Filipino cuisine is headed. “Filipino dishes reimagined, cooked over a wood-fired grill—what this young chef is doing is sensational,” Ramsay said.
Magnaye and his team at Serai have also made waves by competing in MasterChef Australia, a franchise of Ramsay’s popular series. Ramsay highlighted the importance of food that evokes memories, applauding Serai’s ability to blend tradition with innovation.
“Food always brings back fond memories,” Ramsay concluded, adding that Serai’s dishes remind him of his childhood and his own sweet tooth.
