Abi Marquez, famously known as the "Lumpia Queen," has come a long way from being a TikTok creator experimenting with spring rolls of every variety into a culinary sensation.
Her latest feat: impressing none other than culinary legend Gordon Ramsay.
The Webby Award-winning food vlogger and James Beard Award nominee continues to showcase the global potential of Filipino cuisine.
On January 20, 2025, she had the opportunity to meet Gordo up close at his fan meet held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Manila.
Read: Meet Abi Marquez, Internet’s “Lumpia Queen”
GORDON SPOILS THE SURPRISE
During the event's question-and-answer segment, Gordon invited Abi on stage to applaud her innovative dish, the Beef Wellington Lumpia.
"She did something special this morning," Gordon told event host Issa Litton and the audience.
"She took a foot of Beef Wellington and put it inside this incredible spring roll."
"Spring rolls are something we grew up with as a treat, but to see the Wellington done the way you did it—it was absolutely stunning," Gordon said, praising Abi.
Abi playfully scolded Gordon, saying, "You spoiled them!"
Gordon joked, "Get yourself an editor."
The Michelin-starred chef didn't stop there.
"You've got this USD300 Wellington, so intimidating because you can't make a mistake. And then, here comes a fearless young creative who says, ‘I'm going to do this for Gordon.’ And it was exquisite.
"Honestly, it was absolutely exquisite! Amazing!"
Calling it the "most glamorous spring roll" he's ever eaten, Gordon later emphasized the importance of innovation in food.
Addressing the audience, he said:
"Get creative! Not everything we create works, but staying ahead of the curve and embracing feedback keeps you in front.
"In food, you either move with it or it moves you."
Read: Gordon Ramsay and Will Ferrell injured during charity soccer game
GORDON DARES ABI ON TIKTOK
The buzz began a few days earlier when Gordon issued a challenge to Abi.
The vlogger had uploaded a one-minute TikTok video featuring her latest creation: Crab Cake Lumpia.
The recipe, which included fresh crab, onions, parsley, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and lemon wrapped in lumpia pastry, quickly gained traction.
Within hours, the video garnered millions of views and thousands of shares. Among the thousands of comments, one stood out:
"But can you do it with a Beef Wellington?" Gordon quipped.
The comment racked up over 200,000 likes and more than a thousand replies.
Abi's initial reaction was a mix of disbelief and humor.
She subsequently quipped "Gordon Ramsay in LUMPIA WRAPPER," punctuated with clapping emojis.
She followed up with a celebratory note: "WE FREAKIN DID IT, GUYS!!!!!!! LUMPIA WORLD DOMINATION. ANONG IREREPLY KO HUHUHU."
Abi accepted the challenge and prepared the dish, adding her own Filipino twist to the classic British Beef Wellington—now available at his newly opened Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill in Newport Mall, Pasay, priced at PHP3,888 per serving.
Her fresh takes on Filipino dishes and international favorites have cemented her place as a trailblazer in digital food content.
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