Chef Chele González collaborates with Miele for limited-time pop-up

MANILA — Focus Global Inc., the official Philippine distributor of Miele appliances, has brought back the Miele Innovation Series with a collaboration featuring award-winning chef Chele González.

For the latest edition, González draws on his Spanish heritage and creative approach to cooking, combining them with Miele’s German roots to reinterpret familiar ingredients in four creations made exclusively for the series.

González studied in Bilbao, Spain, before working in some of the country’s renowned restaurants. He later moved to the Philippines, where his cooking has been influenced by the country’s ingredients and culinary traditions.

His restaurants, Gallery by Chele and Asador Alfonso, each received one Michelin star in the inaugural Michelin Guide Philippines 2025. Gallery by Chele also received a Michelin Green Star.

Beyond his restaurant work, González has explored other fields, including marketing and music, and developed concepts such as Burnt Basque Cheesecake by Chele.

The collaboration reflects the Miele Innovation Series’ focus on exploring new possibilities through food and other creative disciplines. It also draws on the German appliance brand’s philosophy, “Immer Besser,” or “Forever Better,” which it says has guided its pursuit of continuous improvement for more than 125 years.

The four creations available through the pop-up are:

The dessert combines González’s Burnt Basque cheesecake recipe with dark beer and a pretzel crumble. The beer adds malty notes, while the crumble provides a salty contrast. The cheesecake is baked directly in its packaging.

This dessert pairs an almond sablé base with 77% dark chocolate from Auro and caramelized German sausage. Silky toffee adds another layer to the combination of sweet and savory flavors.

Inspired by Miele’s coffee machines and the drum design of its washing machines, the cheesecake combines Philippine coffee with honeycomb for a contrast of flavors and textures.

Drawing on coca, a traditional Spanish flatbread, this creation features slow-fermented bread topped with González’s New York-style pastrami, sauerkraut, cheese and fresh herbs.

The Miele Innovation Series pop-up is open until October 23. Visitors may drop by Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.