Abi Marquez Named FoodPHILIPPINES Advocate Par Excellence for the Second Year in a Row

The recognition continues for culinary content creator Abi Marquez, who has once again been named FoodPHILIPPINES Advocate Par Excellence—a distinction she first received in 2024.

The announcement was made during the “#BigTasteReveal: The 2025 IFEX Philippines Media Preview” held on May 15 at Casa Ibarra MOA in Pasay City, as excitement builds for IFEX Philippines 2025 this coming May.

Organized by the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the annual KATHA Awards for Food celebrates innovation and excellence in Philippine food products. Since 2015, the KATHA seal has become a mark of quality and creativity in the industry, raising the bar for Filipino exports on the world stage.

Present at the event were IFEX Philippines Project Director Rowena Mendoza, CITEM Executive Director Leah Pulido Ocampo, Deputy Executive Director Malou Mediran, and CITEM Founder Dr. Mina Gabor.

Abi’s back-to-back recognition highlights her growing impact as one of the leading voices in modern Filipino food storytelling. From her viral reinventions of local classics—like the now-iconic Peach Mango Pie Lumpia—to heartfelt recipe videos that mix education with nostalgia, she has become a go-to source of both entertainment and trusted go-to recipes for food lovers around the world.

Being named a FoodPHILIPPINES Advocate Par Excellence—for the second time now—feels like a full-circle moment,” Marquez shared during her speech. “I started creating content because I loved food. I stayed because I realized how powerful food could be.”

What began in her parents’ kitchen has evolved into a global platform. With over 8 million followers, multiple international accolades, and collaborations with culinary icons like Gordon Ramsay and Chef Nobu, Abi has proven that Filipino food doesn’t need translation—it just needs to be shared.

“Since the last time I stood here, I’ve cooked Filipino food in other countries with people from completely different backgrounds—and the beauty is, they loved it,” she said. “Because great food speaks a universal language.”

This year, as part of her continued partnership with the FoodPHILIPPINES program, Abi is set to collaborate on fresh content for global platforms, including digital campaigns, international expos, and spotlight features that bring Filipino flavors to a wider audience.

“To some, these may look like personal milestones,” she said, referencing her Webby win and James Beard Award nomination. “But to me, they’re reminders that we don’t need to change who we are to be seen. We just need to show up—with our recipes, our stories, and our lumpia.”

With every dish Abi shares, she reminds the world that Filipino food is a culture, history, and identity served on a plate.

“Let’s keep cooking, keep sharing, and keep proving that Filipino food is world-class—because it always has been.”

Mabuhay and congratulations, Abi!