Nicole Ponseca is a visionary at the intersection of food, culture, and influence.

For over two decades, she has researched and documented the culinary traditions of the Philippines, turning that knowledge into a powerful vehicle for gastrodiplomacy. Her pioneering NYC restaurants, Maharlika and Jeepney, catalyzed the rise of modern Filipino cuisine in America — introducing a bold take on identity, innovation, and kamayan to a generation of chefs and diners, and inspiring a movement that redefined the narrative of Filipino food.

Her debut cookbook, I Am a Filipino, was a James Beard Award finalist and recognized as one of the year’s best by The New Yorker, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, and other major publications. The New York Times described her as “an empire in the making,” while The Washington Post stated that her influence on Filipino American restaurateurs is “immeasurable.” Nicole’s vision extends beyond cuisine. As one of the first Filipina restaurateurs to thrive in New York City’s notoriously cutthroat hospitality industry, she has broken barriers — not just for Filipino food, but for women building lasting businesses in one of the toughest cities in the world.

Today, she continues to lead global efforts to elevate Filipino food culture through international festivals, strategic collaborations, and cultural convenings — positioning Manila as an emerging gastronomic capital and amplifying the voice of the Filipino diaspora on the world stage.

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