When two chefs date: The love story behind the Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant Kasama

RHIA GRANA

<div class='embed-wrap'><figure data-feedback='fb:likes,fb:comments'><img alt='Kasama Chicago' src='https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/ancx/food-n-drink/2022/05/2ksm.jpg' ><figcaption>Kasama is located in the neighborhood of East Ukrainian Village in Chicago. Photo by Kerri Pang</figcaption></figure></div><p>The latest badge of honor, of course, is the <a href='https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/04/07/22/this-filipino-restaurant-just-got-a-michelin-star'>Michelin star rating</a>, one of the most prestigious recognitions a restaurant can receive. According to the Michelin guide, the duo “have taken traditional Filipino cooking and given it a creative, contemporary spin.” The review spotlighted their “maitake mushroom <em>adobo</em> sauced with mussel emulsion; ‘pancit’ reflecting Spanish influence with thin squid ink noodles, scallop conserva, and shaved Serrano ham; and Chef Kwon's elegant take on ‘halo-halo’ combining Asian pear granita, pandan ice cream.” </p>

<p>They’re a match made in food heaven—Filipino chef Tim Flores and the Korean pastry chef Genie Kwon. They are the couple behind the acclaimed Filipino restaurant in Chicago called Kasama which recently earned the coveted Michelin star. </p><p>Tim and Genie’s rise to culinary stardom has been pretty remarkable, considering that their first business venture together took off at the height of the pandemic. It’s only been less than two years since Kasama opened, and yet it’s already landed on a number of “best (new) restaurant” lists—the New York Times, Eater, Esquire, Chicago Tribune, and Chicago magazine.</p>

It all started with a ramen date. Seven years later, Tim Flores and Genie Kwon are the married couple behind the success of the US resto acclaimed for its lumpia, adobo, and pansit.

When two chefs date: The love story behind the Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant Kasama | ABS-CBN News

Lifestyle

Lifestyle

When two chefs date: The love story behind the Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant Kasama

When two chefs date: The love story behind the Michelin-starred Filipino restaurant Kasama