Insider Spotlight
Culinaire 2025: Canvas Reimagined staged at SMX Manila
Culinary-art partnerships redefined fine dining experiences
AI-powered co-host and smart tech enhanced event interactivity
SMX expands with new venues nationwide
Juan Carlo, The Creamery, and GQ Mobile Bar among big winners
The big picture
The annual event reaffirmed SMX’s position as a premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) venue in the Philippines.
Anchored on the theme “Canvas Reimagined,” it went beyond food tasting by integrating interactive tech features such as AI chat terminals, smart registration with real-time voting, and an AI-powered co-host alongside RJ Ledesma.
Between the lines
Culinaire 2025’s three-course dining experiences were inspired by contemporary art and Filipino heritage. Each of SMX’s partner caterers collaborated with acclaimed local artists to deliver imaginative pairings—from Bizu Catering x Ycoy Sitchon’s elegant compositions to Juan Carlo x Katrina Cuenca’s proud Filipino identity showcase.
Mobile bar competitions also added flair, with Event Shaker Mobile Bar fusing street art and mixology, while GQ Mobile Bar impressed with inventive cocktails and immersive presentations.
Winners’ circle
The evening culminated with the presentation of the Culinary Awards and the People’s Choice Awards.
Culinary Awards: Best Appetizer – Juan Carlo; Best Main Course – Juan Carlo; Best Dessert – The Creamery; Best Cocktail & Mocktail – GQ Mobile Bar
People’s Choice Awards: Best Appetizer, Main Course, Dessert, and Booth – Juan Carlo; Best Cocktail – GQ Mobile Bar; Best Mocktail – Event Shaker Mobile Bar
What they’re saying
“Culinaire 2025: Canvas Reimagined is more than just a showcase of culinary mastery—it’s a celebration of collaboration, creativity, and innovation in the events industry,” said Michael Albaña, vice president and general manager of SMX Convention Center.
Why it matters
As the largest privately-owned convention center network in the Philippines, SMX is using scale, technology, and cross-industry partnerships to elevate event personalization and secure its leadership in the growing MICE sector. — Vanessa Hidalgo
