MANILA, PHILIPPINES – This November 23, 2026, The Westin Manila proudly presents the second edition of their successful Culinary Showcase, a one-night-only charity dinner organized and hosted by their restaurant and culinary interns as the culmination of their Mentor-Mentee Program under the banner of Marriott Next Gen Worldwide Business Councils – Philippines.
Established by the hotel team in 2025, this initiative is designed to provide food and beverage interns an early insight into the industry and prepare them for their future roles by teaching them the fundamentals of running a restaurant and mounting a dining event. The in-depth training with the hotel’s seasoned and award-winning team covers various disciplines and specializations, including menu development, creating a market list, costing, cooking and presentation, booking management, guest engagement, service, and more.
“This is a unique and comprehensive program focused on talent, which is a valuable asset in the hospitality industry,” says Executive Chef Kiko Santiago. “It is also part of our efforts to give back to the community and create a positive impact through various development programs and opportunities.”
The mentorship program is a voluntary participation on top of the regular internship the students applied for. This allows interns more time to focus on their specific roles and development areas.
The charity dinner on November 23, 2026, Monday, will mark the completion of their mentorship program, putting weeks of intensive skills training into real work. The hotel’s culinary and service teams will take a step back and stay on the sidelines, to let the young ones own the spotlight and shine. Seasonal Tastes will serve as the stage where guests can see the interns in action—preparing, plating, serving, and sharing the story of each dish.
Offered at P2,900 nett per person, the 5-course degustation will take diners across various regions in the Philippines through classic flavors reimagined with contemporary techniques and creative composition.
“It is our honor to be part of their journey, to help them grow into their roles, realize their full potential, and gain more confidence as they carve out their future and career,” beams Chef Santiago. “We strongly support talent development in the industry, just as we continue to innovate and elevate dining experiences in our hotel.”
Don’t miss this one-night-only dining event. Proceeds will go to Save the Children Philippines.
Book a table via https://qrco.de/CulinaryShowcase.
