Chef Aaron Joseph Gulinao of the Philippines Wins Barilla Pasta Championship Asia 2025

Chef Aaron Joseph Gulinao of the Philippines has been crowned the Barilla Pasta Champion Asia 2025, triumphing over top finalists from across the region at the grand finals held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

A Prestigious Culinary Competition in Asia

Organized by Barilla for Professionals, the annual competition brings together emerging culinary talent from Asia to refine their skills, exchange ideas, and showcase their creativity using Barilla’s signature pasta, crafted from a high-quality semolina blend developed over the brand’s 145-year history.

Andrea Tranchero, Executive Chef of Barilla Asia Pacific shares, “The region is home to an abundance of exceptionally talented chefs, and I am truly energized by the creativity and enthusiasm we have seen. It was exciting to see how the chefs embraced Italian culinary traditions and reinterpreted them in fresh, innovative ways.”

Chefs from China, Japan, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore competed in national selections before advancing to the regional finals.

Gulinao’s Winning Dish: A Filipino Twist on Italian Classics

After winning the Philippine round, Gulinao collaborated with Tranchero to refine his signature dish for the Kuala Lumpur showdown.

Gulinao impressed the jury with Spaghetti in Alaminos Longganisa Ragu with Smoked Kesong Puti, a Filipino-inspired take on carbonara. Drawing inspiration from his wife’s fondness for Alaminos longganisa, a sausage from Pangasinan, he replaced the traditional pork with beef to suit regional dietary preferences. The dish was finished with smoked kesong puti mousse, calamansi zest, and crispy chicharon.

The panel of culinary experts, including Nicola Filippi of Barilla Group, Tranchero, Malaysian Chef Pele Kuah, and Sunway University’s Patrick Siau, praised the dish for its technique, presentation, and balanced flavors.

A Rising Filipino Talent

Gulinao, currently a demi chef at Westin Manila, began his career as a trainee at Marriott Hotel Manila and has amassed nine years of experience in professional kitchens.

“Winning the title of Barilla Pasta Champion has been a great honour and a dream come true,” said Gulinao. “This recognition inspires me to keep pushing boundaries and explore the endless possibilities of pasta and Italian cuisine.”

South Korea’s Chef Jung Chul Lee took silver, while Singapore’s Chef Felix Chong earned bronze and the Media’s Choice Award. The top three chefs will embark on an all-expenses-paid culinary tour of Parma, Italy, and receive cash prizes of up to €3,000.

This year’s final was hosted at Sunway University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, where culinary students assisted the finalists, highlighting the school’s partnership with the event.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible talent of this year’s national winners,” added Tranchero. “Barilla remains committed to working with chefs across Asia to create recipes that resonate with pasta lovers throughout the region.”