Chef Miggy Moreno becomes 1st Tausug chef with Michelin Bib Gourmand distinctions

Chef Miguel “Miggy” Cabel Moreno was among the chefs recognized at the inaugural Michelin Guide: Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026, with his restaurants, Palm Grill and Cabel, each receiving a Bib Gourmand award.

What makes the recognition even more meaningful for Moreno is that he is the first Tausug chef to receive such a prestigious distinction.

Speaking to GMA News Online, Moreno said that receiving two Bib Gourmand awards “is more than what I expected.”

“When I learned that both my restaurants were given Bib Gourmand, I felt it wasn’t just my story being told. It was the story of those who came long before us,” he said.

“To be the first Tausug recognized this way means their hands, their time, and their faith are finally honored too,” he added.

Palm Grill, with a location in Diliman, Quezon City, specializes in Southern Mindanaoan cuisine. Among the dishes highlighted by the Michelin Guide are the Tiyula Itum, a black beef soup, and The Dulang, a seven-dish tasting platter.

On the other hand, Cabel is a restaurant located in Manila near Malacanang, serving Filipino heritage cuisine, such as Ukoy and Piyanggang Manok.

Moreno said the recognition of his restaurants belong to Mindanao.

“I hope this moment encourages young cooks to look back before they look ahead, to remember that every dish we serve today carries the work of generations,” he said.

“What we do now is only a continuation of what they started—a promise to keep our flavors, our stories, and our pride alive for the next ones who will cook after us,” he added.

Born and raised in Jolo, Sulu, Moreno has been a restaurateur for more than eight years, being a purveyor of Mindanao and Filipino cuisine. 

His work is beginning to take off. In January, Palm Grill received the seal of approval from the Best Ever Food Review Show, marking the first time a Filipino establishment has been recognized on the YouTube channel, which has more than 11 million subscribers.

The Michelin Guide recognized 108 establishments in the Philippines for its 2026 list: 74 Michelin Selected, 25 Bib Gourmand, eight with One Michelin Star, and one with Two Michelin Stars.

— LA, GMA Integrated News