An exclusive three-day culinary residency brings together the celebrated chef’s creative approach to cooking and his special connection to Boracay.
From November 25-27 2026, Shangri-La Boracay’s Rima Treetop Dining will host Chef Josh Boutwood for an exclusive three-night culinary residency.
The experience will feature a six-course menu combining signature creations from Helm, his two-Michelin-starred restaurant, with new dishes developed exclusively for Rima. Drawing on influences from different culinary traditions, Chef Josh brings together distinctive flavours and inventive techniques in a menu that reflects his individual approach to cooking.
CHEF BEHIND THE MENU
Born in Bedford, England, to a Filipino father and an English mother, Chef Josh Boutwood spent his formative years between the United Kingdom, Spain and Boracay. With both parents working in the industry, he was introduced to the world of food and hospitality at an early age, developing an interest in cooking that would eventually lead him to begin his professional career at an early age of 16.
At the heart of his culinary philosophy is a belief in balance and simplicity. Describing his approach as “simplicity at its finest,” Chef Josh places emphasis on a few carefully selected ingredients, allowing their individual qualities to complement one another.
His cooking reflects a thoughtful restraint, creating dishes that are cohesive and considered without unnecessary complexity.
Over the years, his commitment to his craft has established him as one of the Philippines’ leading culinary talents.
His Manila-based restaurant, Helm, received Two Michelin stars in the inaugural Michelin Guide Manila and Environs & Cebu 2026, and retained the distinction in the 2027 edition. It remains the only restaurant in the Philippines to have achieved this recognition, marking a defining milestone in his culinary career.
ABOVE THE TREETOPS
Perched high within the forest canopy, Rima Treetop Dining offers an elevated experience where nature and understated luxury come together.
Surrounded by lush foliage and the gentle sounds of the island, its intimate setting invites guests to slow down and savour the moment, with refined cuisine and attentive service complementing the tranquil beauty of its surroundings.
More than a place to dine, Rima is a sanctuary for the senses, offering a memorable experience above the island yet deeply connected to the natural beauty of Boracay.
For the residency, Chef Josh will present a six-course menu that brings together a selection of his signature dishes with new interpretations created for the occasion. Guests can look forward to an interplay of unexpected flavour combinations and carefully selected ingredients, with each course offering a glimpse into the chef’s creative sensibility.
The menu promises a considered progression of dishes, leaving room for discovery with every course.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Boracay has been part of Chef Josh’s life since childhood.
Through his father, who is originally from the island, he developed an early connection to the destination and spent part of his childhood here. During one of our conversations with the accomplished chef, he fondly recalled walking home from school along Boracay’s beach, taking in its exceptionally white sand—a simple memory that has stayed with him over the years.
Beyond these childhood memories, Boracay also holds a significant place in Chef Josh’s professional journey.
In 2010, he opened Alchemy with his family, marking the beginning of his restaurant career in the Philippines. This early venture laid the foundation for a culinary career that would continue to evolve, eventually leading to the establishment of Helm and the recognition it has since received.
Over the years, Chef Josh has established a notable presence in the Philippine dining scene, with several of his restaurant concepts earning recognition from the Michelin Guide.
Beyond Helm, his other concepts, Ember, Juniper and The Test Kitchen, have also earned Michelin-selected recognition, reflecting the breadth of his culinary work and continued contribution to the country’s dining landscape.
The six-course dinner will be available at Rima Treetop Dining at Shangri-La Boracay from 25 to 27 November 2026, at Php 6,500 net per person.
Optional wine pairings are available at an additional charge. For reservations and enquiries, contact the restaurant reservations team at restaurantreservations.slbo@shangri-la.com or call (63 36) 288 4988. Advanced reservations are required.
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