Best of the Best: Chele Gonzalez and Gallery by Chele Nearly 15 years ago, Spanish chef José Luis “Chele” González arrived in the Philippines eager to explore and create. What began with his first restaurant, the trailblazing Vask, soon evolved into Gallery by Chele, a dining room that helped redefine Philippine fine dining by celebrating native ingredients through global technique and with Filipino soul. Alongside his co-chef Carlos Villaflor—a local talent who rose from intern to partner—the kitchen operates with precision, balance, and invention. González has been a leading force in the country’s gastronomic evolution. From the start, sustainability has been central to his philosophy. He advocates responsible seafood sourcing, working with local fisherfolk to champion underutilized species and protect marine biodiversity. He collaborates with agricultural agencies and small-scale farmers to revive and promote local produce, including Philippine heirloom rice varieties, native cacao, root crops, and, more recently, the local..
