MAKATI CITY — Chef Rhea Rizzo is bringing her celebrated culinary vision back to Rockwell with Nayam, a new dining concept that distills the lush, global private dining experience she has become known for. The exclusive, limited-time menu will be available at the Balmori Chef’s Table from October 16, 2026, to January 5, 2027. This marks a welcome return for the chef, whose previous Rockwell pop-up at The Balmori Suites was met with warm reception and set the stage for her continued expansion into Manila. Nayam promises to translate the garden-to-table philosophy of her Silang, Cavite destination into a setting that is both intimate and refined.
A Culinary Philosophy Rooted in Travel and Memory
Chef Rizzo’s cooking is defined by a lifetime of global exploration and a deep respect for ingredients. Trained at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies and having worked under Chef Gaggan Anand at his two-Michelin-starred restaurant in Bangkok, she brings a wealth of technique to her craft. Her cuisine blends French classical methods with Asian-inspired flavors, creating dishes that feel both sophisticated and deeply personal. At Mrs. Saldo’s, her private dining destination in Silang, she serves international and Asian-inspired tasting menus that reflect her travels through Bangkok, Ubud, Napa Valley, and beyond. She resists the label of “fusion,” instead describing her food as a culmination of all her learnings and experiences.
The Balmori Chef’s Table as a Stage for Filipino Talent
The Balmori Chef’s Table at The Balmori Suites in Rockwell Center has established itself as a premier platform for showcasing Filipino culinary talent. Housed in the lobby of Rockwell’s prime residential offering beside Power Plant Mall, the series of seasonal pop-ups gives chefs a fully equipped kitchen and an intimate space to present their signature concepts. Previous residencies have featured celebrated names such as Toyo Eatery, Hapag MNL, and Restaurant Idalia, each bringing their distinct styles and mastery of locally sourced, farm-to-table ingredients. Nayam joins this distinguished roster, offering Makati diners a rare opportunity to experience Chef Rizzo’s cuisine without traveling to Cavite.
An Invitation to Experience Nayam
Nayam is a limited engagement, running only until January 5, 2027, at The Balmori Suites Chef’s Table in Rockwell Center, Makati. Reservations are expected to be in high demand given Chef Rizzo’s reputation and the exclusivity of the venue. For those who have followed her journey from Silang to Rockwell, Nayam represents a homecoming of sorts, a chance to revisit the flavors that have earned her a devoted following. For first-time diners, it is an invitation to discover a chef whose work is as thoughtful as it is delicious, and to experience a dining concept that celebrates the connections between travel, memory, and the shared table.
