Chefs Aitor Zabala And Chele González Reunite For Two Dinners In Manila
The former El Bulli cooks will be showcasing their distinct culinary journeys for two nights at Gallery by Chele this October 2026.
“I’m excited to discover those ingredients firsthand and let them influence and inspire what Chele and I create together.”
Chefs Aitor Zabala and Chele González first crossed paths in the kitchens of El Bulli. This October, the longtime friends and former colleagues will cook together once again—this time at Gallery by Chele in Manila. Titled Evolution: A Somni x Gallery by Chele Collaboration, the two-night dinner will take place on October 9 and 10, 2026. The experience considers how the chefs have developed distinct culinary voices from their shared Spanish heritage and training, influenced by the places they eventually made home.
Aitor Zabala’s Manila Collaboration With Chele González
Zabala is the chef and co-owner of Somni in Los Angeles. The restaurant received three Michelin stars in June 2025, seven months after reopening in its current West Hollywood location. The recognition also made Zabala the first Spanish chef to earn three Michelin stars outside Spain.
González, meanwhile, has spent more than a decade working within the Philippines’ culinary landscape. At Gallery by Chele, his cooking draws from the country’s ingredients, producers, and food traditions. The restaurant received one Michelin star and a Michelin Green Star in the inaugural Michelin Guide Philippines in 2025.
Each course in Evolution will reflect the chefs’ shared appreciation for local ingredients and traditions, alongside the influence of Los Angeles and the Philippines on their respective approaches.
“Filipino cuisine has been gaining greater awareness and appreciation here in the U.S.,” Zabala shares. “I’m excited to discover those ingredients firsthand and let them influence and inspire what Chele and I create together.”
The event is held in partnership with official airline partner Philippine Airlines, official mobility partner Mercedes-Benz, official water partner Evian, and official payments partner Mastercard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aitor Zabala is the chef and co-owner of Somni in Los Angeles. He is the first Spanish chef to earn three Michelin stars outside Spain.
Aitor Zabala will cook in Manila on October 9 and 10, 2026, with seatings beginning at 6 PM.
The collaborative dinner will take place at Gallery by Chele in Manila.
Titled Evolution, the collaboration is a two-night dinner by Aitor Zabala and Chele González exploring how their Spanish heritage and adopted homes have shaped their cooking.