Miguel Cabel Moreno

Miguel Cabel Moreno
Born
Miguel Cabel Moreno

(1986-08-12)August 12, 1986
EducationAteneo de Zamboanga University (BS Nursing)
Occupations
  • Chef
  • restaurateur
  • author
SpouseNelson Canlas

Miguel Cabel Moreno is a Filipino chef, restaurateur, and cultural advocate known for championing the cuisine of his native Tausug heritage and the Zambasulta (Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi) Region of Southern Mindanao.[1][2] He is the founder of Palm Grill, a restaurant in Luzon specializing in Southern Mindanaoan cuisine, and co-founder of Cabel Filipino Heritage Restaurant.[1][3][4]

Moreno's work includes children's literature and media appearances, aimed at preserving heirloom recipes and challenging negative stereotypes associated with his home region.[5][3][6]

Early life and education

Moreno was born in Jolo, Sulu, and raised in Zamboanga City.[2][7] His culinary knowledge was passed down through his family, particularly from his mother, Melissa Cabel, and grandmother, Oswalda Alcantara-Cabel.[2][7] He learned to cook through observation and practice, absorbing traditional methods by "feel" rather than by following formal recipes.[1]

He graduated from Ateneo de Zamboanga University with a degree in nursing.[7] Following his studies, he worked as a nurse for two years before deciding to pursue a career in the culinary arts.[7]

Career

During his college years, Moreno rented a booth at the annual "Ateneo Fiesta" to sell his mother's Piyanggang manok, a Tausug dish of chicken cooked with burnt coconut. The consistent success of this venture solidified his ambition to open his own restaurant.[7]

In May 2017, Moreno opened Palm Grill in Tomas Morato, Quezon City. It was the first restaurant in Luzon to focus exclusively on the cuisine of Southern Mindanao.[1][8] Moreno stated his goal was to address the "erasure" of his culture's food from the capital's culinary landscape and to "reclaim" its narrative.[1][9] The restaurant's signature dishes include Tiyula Itum (a black beef soup traditionally served to Tausug royalty) and Piyanggang Manok.[10][3]

In 2025, Palm Grill was featured on the YouTube series Best Ever Food Review Show. Host Sonny Side awarded the Tiyula Itum a 5-star rating, calling it "one of the best foods I've ever had in the Philippines."[10][11] The restaurant's second branch, Palm Grill Araneta, opened in October 2023 at the Palenque food hall of Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City, Cubao.[12][13]

In late 2022, Moreno, along with his brother JC "King" Cabel Moreno and sister Maria Isabel, opened Cabel Filipino Heritage Restaurant.[7][3] The restaurant is located in the historic Casa Roces, a restored 1930s ancestral home adjacent to Malacañang Palace in Manila.[3][14][15]

Cabel's menu is pan-Philippine, featuring heirloom recipes from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.[14] By placing Tausug dishes like Tiyula Itum alongside national staples such as Adobo and Kare-kare, the restaurant aims to integrate Southern Mindanaoan cuisine into the broader Filipino culinary canon.[3][14] The establishment also incorporates an art gallery and a speakeasy, functioning as a cultural hub.[3][16]

Advocacy and other ventures

Moreno has co-authored two children's books with his husband, GMA broadcast journalist Nelson Canlas, and his sister, Maria Isabel Moreno-Go. The books are intended to introduce Tausug culture, traditions, and food to young readers.[10][5][17][18]

  • Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug is inspired by Moreno's childhood.[10][19]
  • Ang Kwento ni Putli Mandi is a follow-up story about a traditional chewy coconut treat.[5][20]

Moreno was a featured culinary voice representing Mindanao in I Love Filipino, Netflix's first food documentary series on the Philippines.[2] He has also appeared on the Best Ever Food Review Show on YouTube.[10]

Awards and recognition

Moreno received the Datu ng Kusinang Kultural award at the Maharlikang Filipino 2025 for his contributions to the preservation and promotion of Filipino cuisine.[20]

In March 2024, Moreno was honored with Malaya Business Insight’s Creative Culinary Excellence Award at the annual Living Laurels Awards Night.[21]

Personal life

Moreno's mother, Melissa Cabel, was a single parent and entrepreneur who also ran several food businesses, which Moreno cites as a key inspiration.[7] His brother, JC "King" Cabel Moreno, left a 12-year corporate career to co-manage the family's restaurants.[7][3] Moreno is married to GMA broadcast journalist Nelson Canlas.[10][22][23]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Mindanao's Tausug Food in Manila: How Chef Miggy Moreno is Reclaiming a Culinary Narrative". Simpol.ph. May 14, 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  2. ^ a b c d "Chef Miggy Moreno Cooks with Purpose, Heart, and Mindanaoan Pride". ZEEN Magazine. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "At Cabel, the Moreno Family Invites Everyone to Eat at Their Table". Vogue Philippines. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  4. ^ Reyes, Lai (July 2, 2022). "Meet the couple promoting southern Mindanao cuisine in the heart of Quezon City". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  5. ^ a b c "Eight years of serving history on a plate". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  6. ^ Concengco, Jar (March 12, 2025). "How One Chef is Bringing Mindanao's Hidden Culinary Gems to Light". Esquire Magazine PH. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h "Raised by single mom, professional brothers left jobs to run Filipino heritage restaurants". Philstar.com. May 13, 2023. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  8. ^ "This New Tomas Morato Restaurant Puts the Spotlight on Zamboanga's Heirloom Cuisine". Spot.PH. April 21, 2017. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  9. ^ "This Hole-in-the-Wall Serves Authentic Zamboanga Cuisine". Esquire Philippines. July 25, 2017. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  10. ^ a b c d e f "Palm Grill gets seal of approval from the 'Best Ever Food Review Show'". GMA News Online. January 9, 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  11. ^ Cerezo, Anna (January 24, 2025). "Palm Grill gets seal of approval from Best Ever Food Review Show". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  12. ^ gdecastro0289 (2023-12-14). "Long time coming: Palenque offers Philippine regional cuisine from north to south". RAPPLER. Retrieved 2025-08-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  13. ^ "Palenque: A food trip to the Philippine regions". Manila Bulletin. December 17, 2023. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  14. ^ a b c "Manila's newest heritage restaurant celebrates heirloom dishes". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  15. ^ "A new restaurant with an old soul opens in the historic Casa Roces". INQUIRER.net. December 10, 2022. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  16. ^ "Heritage restaurant launches art gallery". Manila Standard. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  17. ^ Grana, Rhoda (February 6, 2025). "Journalist Nelson Canlas turns his love story into a children's book". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  18. ^ "A culinary and cultural journey: 'Si Migoy, Ang Batang Tausug'". Daily Tribune. February 4, 2025. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  19. ^ "Did you know there's a children's book that features Tausug cuisine?". YouTube. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  20. ^ a b "QC eats: Palm Grill at 8 continues to champion ZamBaSulTa cuisine". ABS-CBN Lifestyle. Retrieved 2025-08-25.
  21. ^ "THE LIVING LAURELS 2024: Celebrating lifestyle excellence". Malaya Business Insight. March 6, 2024. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
  22. ^ Marfori, MJ (May 21, 2022). "How reporter & restaurateur found their sweet spot". PEP.ph. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  23. ^ "Nelson Canlas and Miggy Moreno's recipe for love". Tatler Asia. June 10, 2024. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
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