Olongapo Born Tom Cunanan Wins Best Chef in the Oscars of the Food World

A Filipino went home victorious at the James Beard Awards Night held last May 6, 2019 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The said award giving body is widely considered as the Oscars of the Food World.

First shortlisted as one of  the twenty semifinalists, Tom Cunanan, head of Chef of Filipino Restaurant: Bad Saint at Washington, DC, moved to become one of the five official nominees and eventually became the big winner.

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It’s Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic winner @tomccunanan of @badsaintdc! #jbfa (: @eskano16)

A post shared by James Beard Foundation (@beardfoundation) on May 6, 2019 at 6:24pm PDT

Chef Tom was born in Olongapo City and moved to the United States when he was three years old. He grew up in Maryland and worked at several fine dining restaurants before landing his career at the 24-eater, multi- awarded restaurant Bad Saint.  After being nominated in the same category – Best Chef Mid-Atlantic in the years 2017 and 2018 – he finally bagged the title this year.

Here’s a quick look at some of the local cuisine he serves at his restaurant:

GINISANG TULYA

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Ginisang Tulya. Littleneck Clams in Annatto Broth. _____________________ Pic by @truong_t_mai

A post shared by BAD SAINT (@badsaintdc) on Mar 25, 2018 at 7:03am PDT

INIHAW NA LIEMPO

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Inihaw na liempo

A post shared by BAD SAINT (@badsaintdc) on May 16, 2017 at 11:33am PDT

KINILAW

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Our opening Kinilaw, Sept 2015. Tuna, avocado, chilies, & coconut. #tbt

A post shared by BAD SAINT (@badsaintdc) on Nov 17, 2016 at 12:57pm PST

Congratulations and best of luck in your future endeavours! Thank you for raising our flag up high in the international stage. I wish that sooner not later, an opportunity will come for me to visit DC so I can finally try out Bad Saint!

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