LTB On the Road:
Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge 2026

LTB Philippines was represented on the international judging panel at the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge 2026, held from 26–30 May 2026 at IMPACT Forum Hall 4, IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok, Thailand.

Endorsed by the World Association of Chefs' Societies (Worldchefs), the Thailand Ultimate Chef Challenge is a major culinary competition designed to promote and recognize the skills and professionalism of both young and professional chefs within Thailand.

This year's edition brought together over 1,000 talented chefs, with 50% coming from outside Bangkok, and featured an impressive panel of 20 judges, 10 of whom were Worldchefs-approved international judges.

Among the international judges was Chef Mia Yan, Executive Sous Chef of Tsukiji Makati, who served as a Worldchefs Continental Judge at the competition.

Joining her were four LTB Philippines members who took part as Rookie Judges: Chef Margarita Marty, Full-time Culinary Faculty of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde; Chef Maverick Javier, Corporate Executive Chef of Rekado Global Food Solutions Inc.; Chef James Gabriel Teng, Founder and Executive Chef of The Barnyard Kitchen + Catering; and Chef Cherrie Uy-Tan, Executive Corporate Chef of No Bia, Inc. The Rookie Judge program is a key pathway for culinary professionals looking to build their international judging credentials under the Worldchefs framework.

Having five members of LTB Philippines on the judging floor of a competition of this scale is a strong reflection of the association's growing presence in the regional culinary competition circuit. We congratulate Chef Mia and our four Rookie Judges on this achievement, and we look forward to seeing more of our members take on roles like these in the years ahead.