Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant opens in Cebu
The maturing dining sophistication in Cebu prompted Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant Tim Ho Wan to open its 7th branch in the Philippines.
"Cebu's dining market has matured," said FooDee Global Concepts chief executive officer Rikki Dee.
FooDee Global Concepts is the Philippine franchisor of Hong Kong based Tim Ho Wan restaurant.
A Michelin-starred restaurant brings an international credibility of good-food. So far, the 100-seater Tim Ho Wan, located at the SM Seaside mall in Cebu is the first restaurant to open in Cebu with such rating.
The rise of middleclass segment in Cebu, the sophistication of young population, which has the strongest influence transforming over-all consumers' preference, prompted the entry of "affordable luxury" products and services here, said Dee.
Dee's FooDee Global is one of Manila's largest multibrand food groups. It manages about 12 restaurant brands both local and foreign. By end of 2017, the group will have a total of 200 restaurants.
Amid the entry of more restaurants in Cebu offering different come-ons, Dee said the market is still too fertile and offers more opportunities for growth and expansion.
Besides the frequency of dining out among Filipinos, including Cebuanos has grown tremendously in recent years, from four times a week in the past, now a Filipino consumer eats out at an average of 10 times weekly.
"What we are bringing to the Philippines are best brands that have the best value," said Dee.
At present, there are about five Michelin rated restaurants under the group's portfolio. This critically acclaimed Hong Kong Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant is the only Michelin-rated restaurant in Cebu.
Tim Ho Wan is known as the "most affordable Michelinstarred dim sum restaurant in the world."
It started in 2009 when Chef Mak Kwai Oui and chef Leung Fai Keun opened a 20-seater hole-in-the-wall eatery in Mongkok, Hong Kong. A year after, the eatery earned the coveted star in the 2010 HK and Macau Michelin guide, an international benchmark of good food and highest form of recognition in the culinary world.
From Hong Kong, Tim Ho Wan, expanded to Singapore then to the Philippines in 2014. It also opened branches in Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, Macau and most recently in New York.