The acclaimed chef behind Gallery by Chele and Asador Alfonso unveils two distinct catering concepts that bring restaurant-quality dining to your home or venue of choice.
Catering is a unique form of culinary theater. There is no consistent stage of a restaurant, rather, the caterer transforms any given space into a one-night, and one-night-only, dining experience. Such was the case when foodies and friends were treated to an exclusive culinary performance for the launch of Chef Chele González’s catering services at Ore Central Building in Bonifacio Global City (BGC). With the backdrop of the city at sunset, the gathering served as an announcement and demonstration of the multi-awarded chef’s newest ventures: Chele Catering for innovative refined dining, and Deli by Chele Event Catering for bespoke casual experiences.
Chef Chele has long been a commanding presence in the Philippines’ culinary landscape, known for honoring Filipino ingredients while incorporating influences from his Spanish heritage and global training. As the creative mind behind acclaimed restaurants such as Gallery by Chele in BGC, Asador Alfonso in Cavite, and Deli by Chele, the chef has built a formidable reputation that combines technical precision with innovative concepts. The blend of those two facets is precisely what makes him suited for the art of catering.
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This latest venture isn’t Chef Chele’s first foray into the bespoke. Before his restaurant success, he served as head of catering and events for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, once preparing dishes for King Juan Carlos I. In Manila, his experience in catering has counted Louis Vuitton, Lexus, Lucerne, and Ferrari Philippines as satisfied clients.
The Bespoke Casual
The evening unfolded in two acts. First, guests gathered on the terrace to experience Deli by Chele Event Catering. Here, surrounded by greenery that created an oasis amid the concrete jungle, live stations showcased the more casual end of Chef Chele’s catering repertoire. The concept is hinged on “approachable” and “customizable” options, positioning itself as sophisticated yet accessible catering.
The casual dining experience showcased the artisanal deli products that have made the brand’s signature sandwiches popular. For clients seeking something more relaxed yet creative, options like sandwich bars, meal boxes, grazing tables, and buffets deliver the same quality and attention to detail that guests have come to expect.
Pass-around pieces included cochinillo tacos, scallops tartalet, and bacalao fritters. The live stations featured octopus inasal yakitori, gambas al ajillo toast, beef tartare, beef pastrami with tomato marmalade on sourdough toast, and cured and smoked salmon loin on brioche.
The Innovative Refined
For the second act, guests were led indoors to a function room where Chele Catering took the stage with a sit-down dinner showcasing the chef’s refined approach. The team creates personalized experiences featuring contemporary takes on continental cuisine and Spanish favorites, with exceptional food painted with seasoned and efficient service from on-site chefs, wait staff, bar servers, and coordinators.
For the evening’s performance, the dishes served included tuna kinilaw with Japanese uni, caviar, and shisho; grouper with buerre blanc, citrus emulsion, and ikura; Japanese Wagyu A5 with cherry; and pandan ice cream with coconut and cereal prawn.
Food, Glorious Food
Behind the performance stood a seasoned ensemble cast. Chef Chele coordinates with his wife and partner, Teri González, who brought 25 years of food and beverage experience, including 15 years with the Shangri-la Hotel. Beverage program expert Cyril Addison orchestrated the service team, creating memorable wine and cocktail pairings, while Chef Carlos Villaflor ensured the signature menus were executed with perfection.
Chele Catering specializes in elegant 4- to 7-course meals, with prices starting from ₱3,000 per person. You may enhance the experience with optional wine pairings, wine bars, spirit bars, or welcome drinks. There are also options for pre-dinner cocktails (starting at ₱480 per person), full meal cocktail experiences (starting at ₱2,200 per person), live stations featuring specialties like cochinillo (₱17,500 for full piece, ₱9,000 for half), and Spanish buffet options (starting at ₱2,900 per person).
For those seeking something more relaxed yet just as creative, Deli by Chele Event Catering offers several affordable options: basic buffet starting at ₱1,600 per person, Filipino cuisine by Carlos Villaflor at ₱1,900 per person, grazing tables from ₱1,000 per person, sandwich bars at ₱750 per person, and even convenient meal boxes at ₱600 each.
For more information on Chele Catering, you can reach out to them at events@chelecatering.com or 09171605109. Follow them at @chelecatering.
Photography by Willy Saw.
