4 Filipino chefs in season 2 of ‘Iron Chef Thailand vs Asia’

Four award-winning chefs are representing the Philippines in the second season of the culinary competition series “Iron Chef Thailand vs Asia.”

AC Agra, Mia Yan, Mav Javier, and Sonny Mariano join chefs from Thailand, China, South Korea, and Indonesia in the “Iron Chef” spin-off, which will premiere on Netflix at 11 p.m. on Saturday, October 10. 

They are part of LTB Philippines, an organization of professional chefs in the country. 

Agra, the executive chef of Antonio’s Group of Restaurants, said he has been a fan of “Iron Chef” since he was a kid. 

“But ‘Iron Chef Thailand vs Asia is different. It’s personal — a dream my inner child has carried for years,” said the bronze medalist at the 2024 Global Vegan Chefs Challenge. “I gave everything I have, fought for every plate, and carried my passion, my pride, and my country with me.”

Yan, executive sous chef at Tsukiji Makati Restaurant, is proud to not only represent the Philippines, but to also stand as the only woman in the competition.

“I wasn’t there to ask for acceptance. I was there to show what experience, courage, passion, and Filipino heart can create under pressure,” said the chef, who was the assistant team manager for National Culinary Team Philippines as it won Best Culinary Establishment at FHA Singapore in 2016.

For Javier, corporate executive chef at Rekado Global Solutions Inc., his experience at “Iron Chef Thailand vs Asia” was “unlike any culinary competition I’ve participated in,” saying it tested him physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

“But I kept going. It reminded me that I have what it takes to compete with the best, and I still have so much more to give,” said the Chef of the Year awardee at Philippine Culinary Cup 2024. “It reaffirmed my belief that nothing worth having comes easy.”

Mariano, a chef-consultant for several restaurants, for his part said he is grateful to be back on the competition stage after 10 years. 

“I couldn’t be more grateful for the chance to represent our country once again,” said the chef, who won gold and silver medals in Food and Hotel Asia 2016. 

Watch the teaser for season 2 of “Iron Chef Thailand vs Asia” below: