Taal Vista Hotel proudly emerged as the Grand Champion in the Creative Bulalo Challenge during the Tagaytay Food Festival held at Sky Ranch Tagaytay on 3 August 2025. The event brought together culinary talents from across Metro Tagaytay, showcasing their creativity and passion through a competition centered on the region’s most beloved dish, Bulalo.
Representing Taal Vista Hotel was its highly skilled culinary team, led by Executive Chef Jayme Natividad. The team included Executive Sous Chef Chef Godfrey Vincenz Dalisay, Sous Chef Chef Flagyl Suedad, Chef de Partie Cook Raymond Calinawan, Cook II, and Mr. John Mark Ambion, Steward. Their combined expertise and dedication played a key role in crafting the dish that ultimately won the top honor.
The winning entry was a bold reinterpretation of the classic Bulalo, taking inspiration from Pozole, a traditional Mexican stew. Pozole is known for its rich broth, hominy, and robust spices, and the team’s decision to incorporate these elements into Bulalo created a unique culinary fusion. By blending the comforting and hearty qualities of Bulalo with the vibrant, spice-forward character of Pozole, Taal Vista Hotel’s culinary team introduced a dish that was both familiar and refreshingly original.
“Pozole is a well-loved comfort dish in Mexico, much like Bulalo is for us Filipinos. We were curious to see how both dishes could harmonize, and it turned out to be a perfect match,” shared Chef Jayme Natividad. “I went around and tried a number of dishes and I found them to be really good and creative at that. Personally, I had no expectations since taste is relative. We just wanted to offer something that would spark curiosity and comfort at the same time.”
The judges were impressed by the balance of flavors and the creative approach that stayed true to the essence of Bulalo while elevating it with unexpected notes from Pozole. The dish highlighted the versatility of Bulalo, proving that even a traditional favorite can be reimagined in exciting ways without losing its cultural significance.
To celebrate this remarkable achievement, Taal Vista Hotel is now offering the award-winning Bulalo Pozole at Veranda restaurant as part of its a la carte menu. Guests can experience the same distinctive flavors that secured the Grand Champion title during the competition. This initiative allows diners to enjoy a dish that combines heritage and innovation, giving them a taste of culinary excellence straight from the competition stage to their table.
Award-winning Bulalo Pozole by Taal Vista Hotel, a creative fusion of Filipino and Mexican flavors that earned the Grand Champion title at the 2025 Creative Bulalo Challenge.
The Creative Bulalo Challenge featured a total of 13 participating hotels and restaurants from the Metro Tagaytay area. Each contender showcased a unique interpretation of Bulalo, demonstrating a wide range of creativity and culinary techniques. The competition served as an avenue for chefs to push boundaries while celebrating a dish that has long been associated with Filipino comfort food and Tagaytay’s identity as a culinary destination.
This challenge was the culminating highlight of the Tagaytay Food Festival’s second year. The festival itself is an initiative designed to celebrate the region’s rich culinary traditions while promoting local tourism. By featuring dishes like Bulalo in innovative forms, the event not only honors heritage but also invites food enthusiasts to explore new flavors and dining experiences in Tagaytay.
The success of Taal Vista Hotel in this competition reinforces its reputation as one of the leading culinary destinations in the region. The win underscores the team’s commitment to delivering high-quality, innovative dining experiences to its guests while staying connected to Filipino roots.
For restaurant reservations, guests may call +63 2 7917 8225 or +63 945 976 6841 (Viber-ready), email veranda@taalvistahotel.com, or visit www.taalvistahotel.com.
