Del Monte Kitchenomics fans are celebrating a major milestone as the beloved cookbook series has unveiled its highly anticipated Centennial Edition, released in honor of Del Monte Philippines' 100th anniversary.
Created in partnership with Summit Books, the Centennial Edition features 100 new, family-friendly recipes designed for today’s fast-paced, budget-conscious home kitchens.
Speaking to PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Del Monte Philippines’ Executive Chef Meg Victorino revealed that the revival of the cookbook was driven by clamor.
According to her, fans have been asking for a new edition for years, making the company’s centennial the ideal moment to finally bring it back.
She said: "Actually, the project kasi started when we started getting mga emails, messages. Not just yung regular email... We also got messages from our members in the Del Monte Kitchenomics page.
"We have a Kitchenonomics club kasi on Facebook, so we had a lot of inquiries on when the next cookbook will come.
"And siyempre, when we had the centennial celebration, it was really fitting that we come up with a cookbook.
"So, eto talaga, they requested, not just a digital cookbook, but also something that's tangible, talagang they can flip through the pages and then pass on to the generations talaga."
Chef Meg, together with the company's culinary team, created the cookbook’s recipes in partnership with esteemed chefs from various generations—Sandy Daza, Rob Pengson, Jackie Ang Po, and RV Manabat.
Explaining how these chefs were chosen, Chef Meg revealed that her team handpicked those who have long earned the trust of Filipino households.
In her words: "When we were doing the cookbook, kasi we really wanted to show the history also of Del Monte Kitchenomics...
"And a big part of the success is really the chefs who helped us also grow, not just the brand, but the community of home cooks.
"So pinili namin yung favorite chefs talaga na through the years, eto talaga yung mga pinagkakatiwalaan natin like Chef Sandy Daza.
"Even me, as a child, I was really a big fan of Chef Sandy.
"I've worked with Chef Jackie also for eight years, so kinuha namin siya.
"Chef Rob, also, is a colleague, and Chef RV who is our most recent brand ambassador."
WHAT MAKES THE CENTENNIAL EDITION DIFFERENT?
This cookbook was shaped by the needs, challenges, and cooking habits of its generation.
"In the earlier cookbooks, the recipes were really designed around the struggles of the time—especially budgeting.
"Before, if a dish traditionally used pure beef, Kitchenomics created versions with vegetable extenders, not just to reduce cost but also to make them healthier one-pot meals."
She noted that the succeeding editions evolved as household priorities changed.
"Nag-iiba na siya. They became more focused on convenience because the challenges of the time were also changing."
The latest edition, she said, focused on the realities faced by modern home cooks.
"This cookbook was really developed to address the current cooking challenges of today’s families."
When asked what were the specific factors they considered, Chef Meg replied: "Budget will always be number one.
"With rising costs—lalo na ngayon—we need to make sure the recipes fit the budgets of families today."
Another major considerations include time, convenience, and staying aligned with what Filipino families currently enjoy.
"We also look at trends, kung ano yung uso, so we can adapt to what home cooks and families want nowadays."
Chef Meg added that "kids’ preferences" also play a key role: “Kailangan kakainin ng kids, otherwise useless yung niluto.”
Chef Jackie agreed, adding that she’s especially delighted to see kid-friendly recipes included in the cookbook.
She said: "When I got the cookbook, ang una kong ginawa, 'Ano bang kakainin ng anak ko? Ah, okay. Thank you, Chef Meg. Chicken Parmigiana. Next, Chicken Korean Burger. Next, Cheeseburger loaf at yung ribs. Barbecue ribs.'
"O kita mo, memorized? Alam ko na kung ano ang uunahin ko sa cookbook kasi ganun talaga ang mga mommy, ano?
"Di talaga kami mag-iisip, 'Ay, ito ang gusto ko kainin...' Kasi yung gusto ko kainin, hindi yun yung gusto kainin ng mga anak mo.
"So parati mananalo sila over ano yung gusto ko. So, off my head, I'm able to find five recipes right away. Umpisa pa lang.
"So I know there are many, many more recipes that's in the cookbook that's very useful for moms."
Meanwhile, Chef Sandy hopes the new line-up of recipes will serve as a helpful guide for home cooks who often run out of ideas on what meals to prepare for their families.
He said: "Now, for the experienced cook, you can have the best dishes in the world, but if you serve it too often to your family, they'll get tired.
"The cookbook is here to give you new ideas. I don't know if you know this,yung mga anak ko, nasasarapan sa pagkain ng kapitbahay ko. Sawa na sa akin.
"Yung mga neighbors ko naman, nasasarapan sa food ko. Why? Kasi bago e.
"So here, this cookbook will give you recipe ideas which we all need."
TIPS FROM THE PROS
During the event, the chefs also shared practical tips for those hoping to elevate their cooking skills.
Chef Rob advised beginners to start by mastering their top three go-to recipes before moving on to new ones.
He explained: "When I teach our students—cause every day that's what I do and also I've been teaching my young boys how to start cooking also—I say start with at least three recipes that you really want to perfect.
"And once you can perfect three recipes, you'll develop the skills, you'll understand what makes other people happy.
"Because when we cook, we don't cook for ourselves, it's always for other people.
"And you'll understand and develop the things necessary to operate a kitchen.
"So that's my one tip: just find your first three and perfect it as good as you can do."
Chef Sandy added that cooking is ultimately about building confidence.
His tip: follow the step-by-step instructions and precise measurements from cookbooks, before eventually creating their own twists on dishes or experimenting with new recipes.
"For the amateur cook who's never cooked before, cooking is about confidence-building.
"You have to start with a good, simple, delicious recipe. The moment you're able to cook that and your loved ones try it and say, 'Ang sarap nito,' gagana kang makaguto.
"Now, look at Kitchenomics Cookbook has those recipes, and what I like when I saw the recipes, the ingredients or measurements are precise.
"That's very, very important because you're building your confidence.
"The moment you build your confidence and you've perfected, let's say, the dishes, then you can start creating other dishes."
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