Tagaytay’s Best Restaurants Come Together To Celebrate The Versatility Of Aussie Lamb
Tagaytay embraced Australian lamb on a whole new level as some of the city’s most respected restaurants and chefs came together for a unique culinary collaboration under the I LOVE AUSSIE LAMB campaign, showcasing the versatility of Australian lamb through diverse cuts and chef-driven interpretations.
Held at Elaia by Cyma recently, the event gathered leading food service players in Tagaytay to collectively explore how Australian lamb can be transformed across cuisines, techniques, and dining concepts. Each participating restaurant was also assigned a specific lamb cut, resulting in a curated experience that highlighted multiple cuts prepared in distinctly different ways—guided by the chefs’ individual culinary visions.
Meat & Livestock Australia
The initiative forms part of the Australian Government and Meat & Livestock Australia’s (MLA) continuing efforts to strengthen engagement with chefs and restaurants, particularly in key dining destinations like Tagaytay, which has emerged as one of the country’s most vibrant food hubs.
“As chefs, it’s exciting to see more and more restaurants becoming confident in working with Australian lamb,” said Chef Roby Goco, MLA Lambassador and chef-owner of Elaia by Cyma. “This collaboration shows how versatile lamb can be, and I’m proud to see fellow chefs bringing their own creativity and identity to each cut.”
“Tagaytay is known for its strong food culture and chef-led restaurants, making it an ideal place to showcase how Australian lamb can shine in different culinary styles,” said Luisa Rust, Senior Trade Commissioner of the Australian Trade Commission (Austrade) Philippines. “Through collaborations like this, we continue to deepen the connection between Australian producers and Filipino chefs, while offering diners exciting new ways to experience premium Australian ingredients.”
Furthermore, what sets this program apart is its strong emphasis on education and skills development. Prior to the event, all participating chefs underwent a Butchery Masterclass conducted by MLA Master Butcher Kelly Pane, equipping them with deeper knowledge of lamb cuts, handling, and applications.
“When chefs truly understand the different cuts of lamb, it opens up so many possibilities,” said Kelly Pane, Master Butcher of Meat & Livestock Australia. “It’s exciting to see how the chefs translated what they learned—from cut to plate—into creative, menu-ready dishes.”
“This program goes beyond simply putting lamb on the menu,” said Valeska, Regional Manager of Meat & Livestock Australia. “By starting with butchery and product mastery, we empower chefs to confidently work with different lamb cuts and fully express the versatility of Australian lamb in their own kitchens.”
The collaboration resulted in a multi-course experience where diners were able to enjoy nine different lamb cuts, each thoughtfully prepared to highlight both the ingredient and the chef behind it.
Moreover, these specially created lamb dishes will officially offered at the participating restaurants starting February 16, allowing diners to experience the chefs’ interpretations in their own dining spaces.
Participating Restaurants and Chefs:
- Anya Resort – Mikel Arriet
- Asador Dos Mestizos – Mónica Escalona
- Anzani Ville Sommet – Marco Anzani
- Elaia by Cyma – Roby Goco
- Farmer’s Table Tagaytay – Kalel Chan
- Gorio’s Roadside Restaurant – Marc Licaros and Mike Alvarez
- Mama Lou’s Group (MLG) – Karl Manlapaz
- Fatima’s Filipino Halal – Karl Manlapaz
- Reynaldo’s Smoke House – Mona Duay
- Taal Vista Hotel – Jayme Natividad and Kim Dalisay
- Textures by Tamayo’s – Christopher Tamayo
- The Fatted Calf – JJ Sycip
- Butcher’s Steaks and Grill – Wil Ng
Through this collective effort, the I LOVE AUSSIE LAMB campaign continues to demonstrate that Australian lamb, not limited to one cuisine or occasion, but a flexible, chef-friendly protein suited for a wide range of dining experiences.
For further information on MLA and the I LOVE AUSSIE LAMB campaign, please visit aussiebeefandlamb.ph, and follow Aussie Beef & Lamb on Facebook (facebook.com/AussieBeefLambPH/), Instagram (Instagram.com/aussiebeeflambph/), and YouTube (youtube.com/@AussieBeefLambSEA).
