PH-born Los Angeles pastry chef wins James Beard ‘the Oscars of Food’ award

Chef Margarita Manzke co-owner of Republique in Los Angeles, won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef. WEBSITE

Filipino American pastry magician Margarita Lorenzana-Manzke won the 2023 James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef.

Lorenzana-Manske is co-owner of République in Los Angeles, which has been on the  Los Angeles Times “101 Best” several times.

She was honored at a live James Beard Foundation ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on June 5, for excellence in creating highly lauded pastries, desserts and breads.

Lorenzana-Manske had been nominated eight times for the awards dubbed the “Oscars of Food.” She was a finalist six times and a semi-finalist twice for the yearly James Beard  award.

You may also like: Ohana-based cuisine stars in Fil-Am ‘Top Chef’ Sheldon Simeon’s cookbook

The award honors individuals who excel in the culinary arts, hospitality, media and are committed to “gender equity, community sustainability, and fostering a culture of inclusivity.”

Lorenzana-Manske has worked with top Los Angeles restaurants Patina, Spago, and Mélisse. With her husband, Walter Manzke,  she also opened Sari Sari Store and Petty Cash Taqueria in Los Angeles and Bicyclette Bistro in Beverly Hills. She co-owns Wildflour Café + Bakery a flourishing chain in the Philippines.

The James Beard Foundation also named Tim Flores and Genie Kwon of the Michelin-starred Kasama restaurant in Chicago as Best Chefs in the Great Lakes (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio).

Erwan Heussaff of the Philippines won the James Beard Media Award for his Instagram posts on Filipino food.