People

Chef Izzy Sy is the man on fire

Photography by Mark Philip Dales for Zee Lifestyle

Chef Izzy Sy is about to make his mark on Cebu’s culinary scene with the opening of Kayu at Rockwell’s 32 Sanson

Chef Izzy Sy is busy in the kitchen when we arrive at his house for the special preview of the dishes he’ll be serving up at his soon-to-open restaurant, Kayu Kitchen + Bar. With a kitchen towel in hand and a little Pomeranian at his heels, he asks us to take a seat in the living room while he gets the dishes ready. As the succulent aroma emanates from the kitchen, we knew one thing was certain—this meal was going to be one for the books.

A graduate at the Culinary Institute of America, Izzy had worked in the kitchen of world-renowned chef Morimoto in Napa. “I did my internship there and when it ended, I worked there part-time after classes,” he recalls. “And when I graduated, I started working there full-time.” Eventually, Izzy succumbed to homesickness and his parent’s insistence that he return home to open his own restaurant in Cebu.

Naturally, his time at Morimoto has some influence in his cooking style today, but Izzy believes that there’s something individual about his food. “I always think that the best way to describe it is that it’s me, it’s my cuisine,” he replies when asked how he would describe his menu. “But if I had to put it into words, I guess I’d say modern Californian cuisine.”

This singular style is now available at Kayu, a new restaurant concept at Rockwell’s 32 Sanson which is the property developer’s first retail outlet outside Metro Manila. The partnership, it turns out, came in a bout of serendipity. “We actually already had a location—it was close to Sanson, a lot smaller but at the time, it was the only one we could find,” Izzy shares. The unfortunate passing of his grandfather, though, brought them in contact with 32 Sanson’s architect Ed Gallego, who told Izzy’s father, Francis that Rockwell was looking for retail partners. “We went to 32 Sanson to take a look at the place, and we decided that it was the space for us.”

Photography by Mark Philip Dales for Zee Lifestyle

Izzy thinks back on the encounter fondly, because he feels that his late grandfather played a hand in it. “He had always told my dad that he didn’t like the other location because there wasn’t enough parking,” he shared. In the end, 32 Sanson turned out to be the best fit.

Eventually, we got him to pose—albeit reluctantly—for the camera, and he insists we sit down for the courses he had whipped up for the occasion. Each course is plated perfectly, starting off with the Garden Canvas, a vegan dish that his sister had named for its splashes of color. With mushroom, beetroot, carrots, radish and asparagus, the salad is a filling meal for those who prefer a plant-based diet.

His entrees included a slow-roasted pork belly in teriyaki sauce served with an apple mash and a congee chip on the side. “Yes, congee,” he smiles when we ask him if he meant the rice porridge. “We overcook actual congee, blend it up and turn it into chips.” It turns out, the salty crisp is a good foil to the strong flavors of the meat. “This probably won’t be in the regular menu right away. We’ll introduce it as a special first, and we’ll see how people like it,” he adds, explaining that another dish to look forward to will be the short ribs, which cooks for three days.

Photography by Mark Philip Dales for Zee Lifestyle

The fish course is an interesting one—poached snapper served with banana sauce on top of coconut rice. The sweetness of the banana is a pleasant surprise with the fish, and when eaten with the rice, completes the tropical flavors of the dish and made it an instant favorite.

Introducing unusual flavor pairings is something Izzy does well, and it’s a sign of how passionate he is about what he puts on the plate. It’s fitting, then, that the restaurant’s is called Kayu. Izzy explains that the name had come up when someone mentioned a chef of the same name, and the word stuck. “My dad liked it because it means having the fire, the passion,” Izzy explains, as the word is Visayan for fire. “Also, you use fire to cook, so it was just perfect.”

Our initial prediction turned out to be right—it was a meal for the books. If this was just a peek of what Chef Izzy Sy can do, then it’s certain his entire menu will be full of more gustatory surprises.

Kayu Kitchen + Bar is now open at 32 Sanson by Rockwell on Tuesdays to Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 12:00 m.n. Visit their website and follow them on Instagram.

by Shari Quimbo photography Mark Philip Dales grooming Gino Fonghe
Originally published in Zee Lifestyle, May 2016. For back issues, subscribe via Magzter.

Related Topics:32 Sanson by Rockwell Izzy Sy Kayu Kitchen and Bar

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Events

The First NUSTAR BALL

Janine Taylor, June Alegrado, Jackie Lotzof, Frances Siao, Ina Ronquillo and Christine Pelaez

The NUSTAR Ballroom, a magnificent venue at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu, sets the stage for last night’s first-ever NUSTAR Ball.

Black was the color of night at the Zee table.

Glamorous guests from Manila and Cebu converged at the NUSTAR Ballroom, an exquisite venue within the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu. The evening unfolded with a seated 5-course dinner. The opulent feast started with Beetroot Salmon Gravlax, adorned with caper berries, caviar, set with delicate edible flowers; and a main course of Compressed Pork Belly with Crackling Skin and Baby Scallops. Another highlight was the auction of coveted items like Dior and YSL handbags, a limited-edition Bulgari watch, and an exclusive 2-night stay in Nustar’s opulent 3-bedroom villa—complete with a private pool and a dedicated butler. The charity evening benefited the Cameleon Association, an NGO based in Iloilo City created in 1997 that developed a global approach to act on the causes and effects of sexual violence against children.

Nora Sol, Beth Go, Frances Siao and Marylou Ong

Ina Ronquillo, Maryanne Aboitiz and Jackie Lotzof

Designers Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez

Philip Rodriguez with NUSTAR Malls two power ladies: May Adolfo and Joanna Salazar

Lana Osmeña with Mariquita Yeung

PJ Castillo and Kaye Abad with Cary Santiago

Drew Sarmiento with LV Manager Adrian Decuigan

Cary Santiago with Eva Gullas

Manila socialites Julie Boschi and Ching Cruz with June Alegrado

It was a night of elegance, luxury, and unforgettable memories as ladies in long gowns and gentlemen in black ties danced the night away.

Design

Filipino graphic designer makes history, joins Switzerland’s Museum of Avant-garde among genre’s greats

PJ Ong of Inodoro, an internationally renowned graphic designer, is the first Filipino whose work will be part of the permanent collection of Switzerland’s Museum of Avant-garde

CEBU CITY — In a groundbreaking achievement, Cebu-based graphic designer and art director PJ Ong of Inodoro Design Studio, is set to become the first Filipino artist permanently exhibited at Museum of Avant-garde (MA-g) in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Cebu-based graphic designer and art director of Inodoro Design Studio, PJ Ong

Ong’s recognition at MA-g places him among over 250 avant-garde artists, including iconic figures like Pablo Picasso and Marcel Duchamp, signifying a profound milestone in museum history.

“Avant-garde,” is a term that refers to pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.

“I am extremely honored and humbled. It is a remarkable milestone in my creative journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such a prominent platform. The acknowledgment, especially considering Switzerland’s exacting standards in art and design, is truly fulfilling,” said Ong.

Part of a stellar contemporary collection

Under the museum’s Contemporary Collection, Ong will join global contemporary agencies such as M/M Paris (collaborator of Icelandic singer-songwriter and composer, Björk), WORK Pte Ltd (brainchild of the “Godfather of Singapore Graphic Design,” Theseus Chan), Bedow (Stockholm), BVD Stockholm AB (Stockholm), Socio Design (London) and Milkxhake (Hong Kong), among others.

Ong’s music packaging design for the Filipino harsh noise duo, White Widow, will be featured in the museum. The band’s album “The God Uterus Dissolves” — released under Melt Records — features an unconventional cassette tape packaging incorporating a hand-crafted wire mesh, elevating it into a unique and bespoke collector’s item.

The museum’s selection process for its Contemporary Collection involved three categories: Graphic Design, Photography, and Illustration. Swiss-Canadian Fritz Gottschalk, a prominent figure in contemporary graphic design, led the Graphic Design category.

“This is profoundly validating for me as a graphic designer. Being part of a museum’s permanent contemporary collection is a lasting testament to my capabilities as an artist,” said Ong.

‘Poetry you can touch’

The graphic designer from Cebu City further defined the album as a “deliberate departure from the ordinary,” stating that it was a testament to the artist’s and band’s dedication to pushing boundaries and offering the audience a unique and immersive experience.

“Careful consideration was given to every detail, including choosing a premium supplier for the cassette tape. Opting for a screen-printed cassette, where design elements were applied directly to the surface, gave it a contemporary and visually striking result, helping us reinforce the design narrative,” said Ong.

“From the cohesive placement of elements to using symbols instead of track titles on the spine and customizing fonts, every aspect was carefully thought out. Rather than opting for the conventional wire mesh treatment on print, I took a bold step by incorporating a hand-crafted wire mesh, adding a unique and sensory dimension to the album — almost like poetry you can touch.”

Profound honor

Established in 2003, Inodoro Design Studio under Ong’s leadership has garnered global acclaim for its bold design philosophy, spanning music, fashion, architecture, culture and technology. In becoming the first Filipino whose work will be on display at the MA-g, Ong stated that it is “particularly humbling.”

“Traditionally, these privileges are given to individuals who have amassed decades of experience, attained mastery in their craft, or even as a posthumous acknowledgment. To be among those selected is a profound and unexpected honor,” he said.

“Museums typically focus on visual artists, and for a graphic designer, especially within the realm of commercial work, recognition can be more elusive. I appreciate the challenges of this less conventional route and I am committed to proving the significance of graphic design in the broader artistic landscape.”

Art enthusiasts can anticipate viewing Ong’s work with “The God Uterus Dissolves” at MA-g, scheduled to open to the general public in 2025.

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About The Museum of Avant-garde (MA-g)

The Museum of Avant-garde compiles an original body of work from private collections, providing a unique perspective on the cultural and artistic significance of avant-garde movements. These movements, synonymous with transformative ideologies and daring experimentations, played a pivotal role in challenging political and societal conventions. For more information, visit www.ma-g.org.

About Inodoro

Inodoro is the creative moniker of graphic designer and art director PJ Ong, a prominent figure in the Philippine design scene. Established in 2003, Inodoro Design Studio, based in Cebu, Philippines, has garnered international recognition for its bold and distinctive design, with a focus on thought-driven imagery and iconic visual language. The studio specializes in identities, custom typography, graphic design and art direction. For more information, visit www.inodoro-design.com.

People

Ladies Who Support Ladies

Women’s Circle is an organization composed of Cebuano ladies who are successful entrepreneurs and top executives. They recently held a fellowship event at the Sheraton Mactan Resort, with special guests from the Women’s Business Council Philippines. Chairperson, Rosemarie Rafael and Council Secretary Cynthia Mamon both flew in from Manila to discuss alliances between the Cebu and Manila groups.

Loot bag from Jo Malone, Sheraton, R&M Chocomanga, gift card from Maayo Clinic, sarong from Ferimar.

The half day event was organized by Perl Jacalan, Gina Atienza and Eva Gullas. Sheraton Resort through its GM Dottie Wugler Cronin supported the event as it is aligned with the hotel’s women initiatives. The successful event was made more fun with generous give-aways, notably Jo Malone perfumes, Sheraton bags, R&M Chocomanga and sarongs from Ferimar.