By Florenda Corpuz
TOKYO – The Philippines’ pizza scene continues to make waves on the international stage, with four pizzerias securing spots in this year’s 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific list. Leading the country’s charge are Crosta and a mano, both of which have cemented their reputations as world-class pizzerias. This year’s ceremony, held at the Istituto Italiano di Cultura on Monday, also paid tribute to the late Chef Margarita Forés, a trailblazer of Philippine-Italian cuisine, who passed away on Feb. 11.
a mano Climbs the Ranks
Makati-based a mano made a significant leap in the rankings, moving from No. 12 last year to No. 7 this year. For Amado Forés, son of the late Chef Margarita and one of a mano’s key figures, the recognition is bittersweet.
“So proud of what we’ve accomplished, dedicating this year’s award to her. She was always the loudest cheerleader, of course, naturally. I just miss her a lot,” Amado told Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ).
On a mano’s rise in the rankings, he added: “It warms my heart, especially knowing that so many people in the country support us. It’s also amazing to see people traveling to Manila just to visit our pizzeria. That’s the beauty of 50 Top Pizza.”
Asked about the influence of Filipino culture on their pizzas, Amado said, “Everything. Our pizzas are proudly Filipino. You can see it in the flavors, the ingredients, and even in the restaurants themselves.”
Amado also extended his gratitude to those who supported their family after his mother’s passing. “Thank you so much to everyone who reached out. We’re deeply grateful.”
A Tribute to Chef Margarita Forés
The 50 Top Pizza organizers dedicated this year’s Asia-Pacific awards ceremony to Chef Margarita, highlighting her profound impact on the pizza industry and Italian cuisine worldwide.
“She contributed greatly to the world of pizza in recent years and was a true icon of Italian quality food abroad,” the organizers stated.
Crosta: The Philippines’ No. 1 Pizzeria
Crosta, known for its inventive and high-quality pizzas, continues to be the Philippines’ top-ranked pizzeria. Although it slipped from No. 2 last year to No. 5 this year, it remains one of Asia’s best.
For Ingga Cabangon-Chua, co-owner of Crosta, the recognition reaffirms their dedication. “Honestly, we look forward to this every year. It means a lot to us, not just for our brand but for our country. Right now, there’s a lot of global attention on the Philippines. With the Michelin Guide coming, it’s an exciting time to represent the country.”
When asked by FJJ if Crosta anticipates Michelin recognition, Cabangon-Chua was candid. “No, we never expect these things. We do what we do not for awards, but because we truly love it. No expectations.”
Cabangon-Chua also shared advice for aspiring restaurateurs: “Be authentic, be yourself, do what you love, serve what you love. Don’t just follow trends because they work for others. What works for them may not work for you.”
On the secret to Crosta’s success, she said, “We keep moving forward, always improving in customer service and quality. When you fail, you don’t take it as a failure, you take it as a learning step so that the next time something happens, you’re prepared, you’ll be better, and you’ll be back on your feet.”
Crosta’s head chef Japanese-Filipino Yuichi Abellare Ito hinted at new developments for the brand. “There’s a lot to be excited about with Crosta. Our journey has always been about evolution. We’re focusing on sourcing the best ingredients from the Philippines and Japan and creating unique connections between them.”
The pizzeria recently expanded to Niseko in Hokkaido launching two stores: a pizza-by-the-slice spot catering to snowboarders and skiers, and an exclusive eight-seat fine dining concept.
More Philippine Pizzerias in the Spotlight
In addition to Crosta and a mano, two more Philippine pizzerias made the list: Wild Flour Italian (Taguig City) rose from No. 47 to No. 42, while Minante Pizzeria (Cebu City) debuted on the list at No. 48.
Taking the top spot is The Pizza Bar on 38th at Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, the world’s smallest pizzeria with just eight seats. Second place goes to RistoPizza by Napoli sta ca, owned by Giuseppe Errichiello, located in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo. Rounding out the top three is Fiata by Salvatore Fiata in Hong Kong.
Across the region, Australia led with 10 pizzerias, followed by Japan with nine, and China with six.
The Road to Naples
With their strong performances, Crosta and a mano and the other top-ranked pizzerias in the top 13 are now in contention for the prestigious 100 Best Pizzerias in the World, which will be announced on Sept. 8 at the Teatro Mercadante in Naples, Italy.
As the most influential guide in the pizza industry, 50 Top Pizza, curated by Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro, and Albert Sapere, continues to spotlight the best pizzerias worldwide. The growing recognition of Philippine pizzerias on this global stage solidifies the country’s status as a rising force in artisanal pizza.
(Photos courtesy of 50 Top Pizza)
