Filipino-American chef Rhoda Magbitang has been crowned winner of Season 23 of Top Chef, becoming the first woman in six seasons to take home the prestigious title with a finale menu honoring Filipino cuisine.
Magbitang, a former line cook and part-time dishwasher, secured the victory with a finale menu deeply rooted in her heritage and personal journey, drawing inspiration from the Philippines and the flavors that shaped her identity.
“This former silly little line cook/part time dishwasher just won Top Chef,” Magbitang wrote on Instagram following her win.
“I expected a lot of things to happen once this came out. What I didn’t expect is the way FILIPINOS showed tf up. It’s my absolute pleasure to make my kababayans proud 🇵🇭❤️”
For the final challenge, Magbitang presented a four-course tasting menu that traced her evolution as a chef and honored her Filipino roots.
Her menu included a dish pairing sweet potato with uni, followed by lugaw, the comforting Filipino rice porridge.
She also served a grilled eggplant omelet elevated with lap cheong XO sauce and pork belly, blending traditional flavors with modern technique.
Instead of ending with a conventional dessert, Magbitang made a bold choice to close her menu with caldereta braised in liver and vegetables, a savory finale she dedicated to her Filipino family.
Judges praised the menu for its technical precision and emotional storytelling, noting how each course reflected both her culinary growth and cultural identity.
Magbitang’s win marks a milestone moment for the competition series and adds to the growing representation of Filipino-inspired cuisine on the international culinary stage.
