Araneta City continues to raise the bar for Metro Manila’s culinary scene, as it clinches the prestigious Food & Beverage Retailer of the Year – Philippines award at the Retail Asia Awards 2025, held in Singapore on June 4. The award shines a spotlight on World Kitchens, the city’s pioneering full-table-service dining concept located at Gateway Mall 2.
Far from a typical mall restaurant, World Kitchens delivers a one-of-a-kind dining experience through its massive, globally inspired setup. Spanning over 2,500 square meters and seating more than 700 diners, it’s not only one of the largest dining venues in the metro, but also one of the most innovative.
At the heart of World Kitchens are 15 live show kitchens led by top culinary talents from around the world, offering authentic dishes crafted with precision and flair. Among the featured chefs are:
- Chef Steve Ma from Hong Kong
- Masaki Watanabe, Takahiro Fujita, and Hoshiba Fumihiko from Japan
- Chef Dario Bonaccorso from Italy
- Chef Rajan Veeranan from India
- Chef Gale Tan Sun from Spain
- Chef Jessie Sincioco from the Philippines
The concept allows guests to explore a wide range of cuisines in one sitting — all ordered seamlessly through a state-of-the-art, AI-powered digital menu accessible via smartphone. It’s an elevated, user-friendly system designed to enhance the dining journey, making global flavors easily accessible and interactive.
“This is not just another restaurant — it’s the first of its kind in Asia,” said Andrew Tan Hock Lai, the Singapore-based F&B innovator behind World Kitchens. “We brought together technology and top-tier culinary artistry to create a space where guests can explore multiple cultures through food — all at one table.”
The design of World Kitchens echoes its global vision. Natural textures, greenery, and stone elements fill the space with warmth and sophistication. Six private dining rooms offer elegant spaces for more intimate gatherings and celebrations.
This latest accolade builds on Araneta City’s win in 2024 as New Mall of the Year – Philippines for Gateway Mall 2, reaffirming its leadership in redefining urban retail and lifestyle experiences.
“Our vision with World Kitchens was to reshape the way people experience food,” added Tan. “This award affirms that vision — one that brings joy, innovation, and cultural discovery to every table.”
As Araneta City continues to evolve, World Kitchens stands as a bold statement of what the future of dining can be — immersive, inclusive, and unforgettable.
