Replacing Chef Chico is the first Filipino Netflix production to come from the streaming giant. It follows the story of Ella, a sous chef at a struggling high-end restaurant who finds herself thrown from frying pan to fire when head chef Chico is involved in a car crash that leaves him in a coma, and forces Ella to take over running the business. If you love romantic drama and good food, then this series is made for you, enhanced by the production taking time to explore the cultural influences of the food of the Philippines. We explore some of that production here, breaking down where Replacing Chef Chico was filmed to capture the right spirit of Filipino cuisine and culture.
Where was Replacing Chef Chico Season 1 filmed?
Manila, Philippines
Manila, Philippines, used for filming Replacing Chef Chico | Image via Kayak
Replacing CHef Chico was filmed entirely in Manila in the Philippines. The showrunners were very focused on exploring the food and culture of the area, so it was important to keep the show as authentic as possible. This comes through in the scenes of food being prepared in the restaurant and of course, the locations we see in the show.
So it was always going to be filmed in Manilla, and in an interview with the director Dan Villegas on PhilStar Global he would say, “I believe Filipino food is world-class. We can proudly talk about and celebrate Filipino cuisine. It’s high time for it to be recognized not just in our country but also outside.”
The show spends the majority of its time within the confines of the kitchen and restaurant that the cast works in, and it is safe to say this would have been a set designed for the show. Meanwhile, the exteriors were all filmed in and around Manila, including Chico driving through the streets before his accident that leaves him in a coma. Don’t text and drive, kids.
Toyo Eatery, Manila
Toyo Eatery, credited in Replacing Chef Chico | Image via Uniqlo
We noticed a credit for Toyo Eatery, located at The Alley at Karrivin Plaza, and although we can’t confirm any filming was done at the restaurant, it was certainly mentioned in the credits, leading us to believe the business played a part in the production of the show.
Toyo Eatery is a contemporary Filipino restaurant hidden away in a corner of Chino Roces Avenue in Makati run by Chef Jordy Navarra, who had previously trained at The Fat Duck in the UK and Bo Innovation in Hong Kong. The incredibly talented chef would open Toyo Eatery in 2016, and it would become one of the most inventive Filipino restaurants in Manila.
Fe Del Mundo Medical Centre, Manila
Staff at Fe Del Mundo Medical Centre, who were particularly praised for their approching during the Covid-19 pandemic | Image via Hospital Management Asia
As Chico is involved in a terrible crash he ends up in hospital, and it seems most likely that the scenes in the hospital were filmed at Fe Del Mundo. The facility is a private medical center in Quezon City “catering to all life stages and delivering quality healthcare in accordance with international standards.”
If you are aware of any of the filming locations used in the show, use the comment section below to keep us up to speed.
Who produced Replacing Chef Chico?
Replacing Chef Chico was produced by Project 8 CS Studios, and director Dan Villegas is also the CEO of that company.
This is the first Filipino-produced Netflix Original. CMB Film Services played an important part in the production of the show, supplying equipment needed to complete the shoot. Post-production services came courtesy of Terminal Six Post.
