Meet mixologist Katie Rouse & chef Ash Heeger whose Filipino-inspired creations took the top spot
This July, for the first time, Don Papa Rum brought their renowned Chefs & Shakers competition to the UK, challenging the nation’s top talented Chefs and Mixologists to create awe-inspiring food and cocktail pairings using a plethora of Filipino ingredients, in addition to, of course, Don Papa Rum.
Brilliant, ambitious, and inspiring Chef & Shaker duos from all over the UK applied to take part, to not only display their creativity and technical skill but to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Philippines with Don Papa Rum to learn more about and envelope themselves in Filipino cuisine and culture. The finals took place at Upstairs at The Department Store, Brixton, with eight of the finalist chefs and mixologists seamlessly integrating their expertise in gastronomy and cocktail mixology under this year’s theme; Food by Fire.
An engagement with Filipino cuisine and culture is on the rise in London, with industry figures such as our judge, chef and restaurateur Ferdinand aka ‘Budgie’ Montoya, championing Filipino recipes, techniques and ingredients, to illustrate just how unique, versatile and exciting Filipino cuisine can be. And as a Filipino brand, Don Papa wants to serve as a support in championing the popularity of the cuisine in the UK through Chefs & Shakers, inspiring the nation’s best culinary and mixologist talent to engage with new, and perhaps previously unknown, flavours and ingredients to create something truly special.
The competition challenged pairs to create a BBQ dish featuring Filipino flavours, alongside a perfectly paired highball cocktail, where finalists had to create their very own carbonated mixer, in addition to incorporating a range of Filipino ingredients from a mystery box presented to each duo.
Competition was fierce, but there could only be one winner, and this year, Katie Rouse of Couch Bar and Ash Heeger of The Riverine Rabbit, both based in Birmingham, secured first place with their exceptional take on the brief. Meet the duo that scooped the top spot.
Katie Rousse – Shaker, Couch Bar, Birmingham
As the leading mixologist at Couch Bar….
‘I started my career in local pubs and late-night bars in 2007, I got myself onto an in-depth cocktail course in 2011 after realising there was no one to teach me in the city, in which I found myself securing a job in a cocktail bar in the city. Ever since delving into mixed drinks, I haven’t stopped creating and developing my skills in my city of Birmingham.
I spent the next 8 years running and developing cocktail bars in Birmingham and then set up my own brand activation company, bringing new drinks brands to the Birmingham market and finally settled into the neighbourhood I grew up in with my own bar. I opened Couch in November 2019, with my partner Jacob, we wanted to create a welcoming and fun space to enjoy premium drinks in, a laid-back neighbourhood bar with the community at the forefront of what we do. Which is right next door to our best friends at Riverine Rabbit
Katie’s winning cocktail, aptly named ‘Two Tickets to the Philippines’…
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Don Papa Rum
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Banana Ketchup Cordial – Banana Ketchup – Clarified Banana and Condensed Milk Punch, seasoned with Crispy Onions, Garlic, Coconut Vinegar, Labuya Chilli, Soy, Paprika and sugar and acids to balance.
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Mangosteen Soda – Mangosteen Soda – 40% mangosteen to coconut water, water bath at 60 degrees for 45 minutes and filter
‘My drink is designed to completely complement Ash’s dish, utilising Filipino flavours and ingredients. Matching flavours but cutting through the fat with tropical acidity and carrying through a few more tantalising flavours in savoury and sweet tones in my ketchup cordial’.
Ash Heeger – Chef, The Riverine Rabbit, Birmingham
‘I was born in South Africa and started cooking professionally at sixteen. I went straight into culinary school and cut my teeth in the best kitchens in the country before moving on to gain more experience in London. Spent a few years in the UK, working at The Ledbury Dinner by Heston before moving back to SA to open my first restaurant in 2015. I relocated to Birmingham in 2020 to be closer to my wife but fell in love with the city and opened a restaurant by the same name in January 2024. It happens to be right next door to our mates at Couch!’
Pairing perfectly with Katie’s Don Papa cocktail, Ash’s winning ‘Food by Fire’ Filipino-inspired dish…
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Smoked Duck Breast (on the bone) – with cocoa sugar rub and Don Papa Rum soy glaze
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Grilled Duck Leg Skewer – with banana ketchup glaze
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Atchara Pickle – with BBQ’d baby carrots
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Calamansi, Soy and Suka Dip
‘The dish is inspired by the spirit of Inihaw, sharing abundance and a sense of community. I wanted to cook duck, even though it is an uncommon protein to eat in the Philippines because I wanted to pay homage to the Filipino Culture whilst still staying true to my ethos of whole animal butchery and zero waste. I also wanted to capture the flavours of Pinoy but still respect the history and culture of Filipino Cuisine.’
‘We are incredibly happy and excited to be able to fully immerse ourselves into the Filipino culture in 2025, after lots of team research and development of our drink and dish, we are able to celebrate the culture in the heart of the Philippines and Don Papa Rum’ – Katie Rouse
Introducing the judges:
- Andrew Clarke is a multi-award-winning London-based chef, with a reputation in the UK food scene as an innovative meat and BBQ chef, always keen to challenge perceptions, pushing the boundaries of culinary innovation. With over 25 years in hospitality, as both chef and restaurateur, he is best known for his previous London restaurants, Brunswick House and St. Leonards, and for co-founding the mental health campaign, Pilot Light, with his latest venture being Acme Fire Cult in Dalston, soon to open two more sites at the anticipated new Dalston Yards.
- While Southeast Asian cuisines such as Thai and Vietnamese have been hugely popular in the UK for decades, Filipino food hasn’t received the recognition it deserved, until recently. Now, more Filipino restaurants have started appearing across the UK thanks to chefs like Ferdinand aka ‘Budgie’ Montoya, who are championing the cuisine. At his London-based restaurant Apoy, Budgie aims to show Brits just how unique and exciting Filipino cuisine can be, leading the way for Southeast Asian cuisines in London.
- Born and raised in Birmingham, master mixologist Matt Arnold heads up the prestigious UK top #3 bar Passing Fancies in Digbeth, Birmingham, reaching the top 5 within the space of a year following the 2022 launch! Matt’s approach to mixology is designed around two things: clarity and accessibility. Matt only ever works with fresh ingredients that allow the team to dive into the depth of flavour that great produce can offer. Matt won World Class GB in 2023 and was the runner-up in Global World Class 2023, amongst a plethora of other accolades.
Follow @DonPapaRum on socials and keep your eyes peeled for news on how you can get involved in Don Papa Chefs & Shakers, returning in 2025…
