Bringing the Philippines to Australia: Chef Fhred Batalona and Filipino Cuisine Downunder

All over the world, people are starting to discover the wonders of Filipino cuisine. The underdog of the culinary world is finally making its mark with homegrown dishes slowly coming to international popularity like the humble adobo, sinigang, lechon, and sisig. This newfound fame comes with thanks in large part to the hard work and dedication of the many chefs and cooks working in culinary all over the world.

In this article, we highlight the remarkable efforts of one of our SISFU graduates, Chef Fhred Erick Batalona. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Chef Fhred has been working tirelessly to bring Filipino cuisine to the forefront of the culinary scene in Melbourne. His creative yet authentic takes on classic Filipino favorites have been capturing the hearts and palates of Australian diners. Quite recently, his pop-up series entitled “Palay” have been booked-out and taking in rave reviews with a number of news features under its belt. He also hosts a digital cooking show called “Dishes and Dialogue” which allows him to further showcase his love for Filipino cuisine.

SISFU is proud of Chef Fhred and all his well-deserved success. We are confident that this is only the start of an even brighter future ahead as he makes his indelible mark in the Australian food scene while taking his Filipino roots along with him.

Follow Chef Fhred and his culinary efforts here: @cheffhred