Judy Ann Santos on making halo-halo for Gordon Ramsay: ‘So grateful for the experience’

Photo credit to @officialjudayph Instagram

Judy Ann Santos took to social media to express her awe after participating in a cooking challenge with multi-Michelin-starred chef Gordon Ramsay on Monday, January 20 in Pasay.



“Wow… sa paanong paraan ko ba pwedeng maikwento ang araw ko today? Nakakaloka? Nakakabaliw? Napaka surreal!!” Judy Ann posted on her Instagram page.

The actress-turned-chef went on: “Never in my wildest dreams that this would happen in my lifetime.. ilang beses kong kinukurot yung sarili ko.. totoo ba ‘to? Pinaprank ba ko? Pero… totoo e..!!! Gusto kong tumambling sabay split!!”

During the cooking challenge, Judy Ann alongside food content creator Ninong Ry, culinary student Danica Lucero, and Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill head chef Bea Therese Qua were tasked to prepare the Filipino dessert, halo-halo.

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The actress was complimented by Gordon on her halo-halo, saying: “It’s good. It’s really good!”

“Simpleng halo halo lang naman, that we have to finish building in 10 min. but that was the fastest, nerve wrecking 10 minutes of my life! But it was the best!” the actress recalled.

She went on: “Hindi ko alam what I did to deserve this.. but, I am so grateful for the experience.. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone involved in this wonderful experience.”

Judy Ann expressed her gratitude to her family who came to support her during the event.

“Thank God my husband and our youngest was there to calm my nerves and palakasin ang loob ko.. to my glam team.. ( yes! Pinaghandaan ko talaga to ng todo! 😂) @juansarte , @jeffreyaromin , @studio.24c maraming salamat ng bonggang bongga! To my ojph and mylaunchpad family… ang saya d b? Grabe to.. grabe talaga… and of course to my fellow chefs… cheers to all of us!!! 🥂🍻 mabuhay at ilalaban ko ang pagkaing Pilipino!!” she said.

Gordon is currently in the Philippines visiting the Manila branch of Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill which opened in the country on August 31, 2024, at the Newport World Resorts.

According to the integrated resort, Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill “serves a curated menu which includes the signature Beef Wellington, an eclectic wine list, and house-crafted cocktails.”

Gordon Ramsay (left) and Judy Ann Santos. MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News

Award-winning actress and chef Judy Ann Santos was invited to participate in the interactive segment of British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s event on Monday at Newport World Resorts in Pasay City.

She was joined by Danica Lucero from the Center for Culinary Arts Manila; vlogger Ryan Morales Reyes or Ninong Ry, who is known for his cooking videos and humor; and Bea Therese Qua, the head chef of Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill Philippines.

The mini-Masterchef challenge was for the four of them to prepare halo-halo with their own secret ingredient, and just within 10 minutes.

Lucero added kamias and sweetened jackfruit to her halo-halo, while Ninong Ry used coco jam. Qua added Asin Tibuok from Bohol, and Santos went for black sesame polvoron.

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Speaking to ABS-CBN News backstage, the actress confessed: “Iba rin naman ‘yung kabog ng dibdib ko kanina, hindi ako ready. Para akong mahihilo, mahihimatay.”

“But those are literally the priceless moments. ‘Yung nandiyan siya kasi sa tabi mo, totoo ba talaga ‘to? Is this really happening?”

She also admitted that Ramsay’s presence can be a little intimidating. “For the simple reason na, of course, he is Gordon Ramsay. Plus the fact na napapanood mo siya, kasi renowned chef siya.”

“Sana magustuhan niya” was all on Santos’ mind when Ramsay approached her and tasted her halo-halo. He even asked her how much leche flan she added to the dessert.

In the end, the young chef Lucero won Ramsay’s elusive tastebuds and took home a signed jacket as a prize.

The award-winning celebrity chef promised to be back in Manila and mentioned the possibility of opening more restaurants in the country.

During the fun Q&A with the guests and budding chefs, he shared the importance of continuously evolving and learning new flavors and recipes.

“The Filipino cuisine for me is like the sleeping beauty of Asia,” he said.

“We take the basic recipes from generations and we evolve it, we respect the ingredients. Whether it’s the amazing adobo or the beautiful sisig, whatever that is, we will respect the DNA and it’s every chef’s responsibility to push the boundaries.”

Ramsay opened his namesake restaurant, Gordon Ramsay Bar and Grill, last year at the Newport World Resorts.