Why This Melbourne Chef Left Fine Dining To Master Filipino Cooking
In Melbourne, an award-winning Filipino chef is not-so-quietly changing how people see Filipino food through the Filipino-inspired gelatos and sorbets he serves at Kariton, and the modern Filipino cuisine he cooks at Askal.
This documentary follows John Rivera, a Melbourne chef who left the traditional fine-dining path to cook with a deeper purpose. Through Filipino flavours, he’s creating a way for his children with albinism to stay connected to their Filipino heritage, using food as a bridge between culture, identity, and family.
But the journey wasn’t simple. After years working in some of Melbourne’s most respected kitchens and building a reputation as a thoughtful, award-winning chef, John began questioning what success really meant. Recognition and accolades were one thing, but ensuring his children understood where they came from became something far more important.
Together, these venues represent more than restaurants. They’re a chef’s love letter to reshape how Filipino cuisine is understood in Melbourne while building a cultural legacy for the next generation.
We are incredibly grateful to John and his family for trusting us with their story and allowing us into such an honest and personal chapter of their lives. Their openness and generosity made this film possible, and we’re honoured to share a story that reflects both the power of food and the importance of cultural identity.
StoryBites is a volunteer-led collective that creates short documentaries to connect everyday food lovers closer to the people behind some of New Zealand and Australia’s most essential venues. We exist to celebrate the quiet legends, family businesses, and immigrant stories that shape how and where we eat, with sincerity, respect, and dignity.
We’re incredibly grateful to Global Meats for supporting the production of this documentary. As John shared, “Above all, we want to support businesses that support us. Global Meats’ generosity to the industry goes above and beyond.” Their commitment to quality and service mirrors the passion we see in every kitchen they work with.
Learn more about Global Meats: https://globalmeatsaus.com.au/#home
Learn More About StoryBites: https://storybites.co.nz/
Follow Kariton: https://www.instagram.com/karitongelato.au/
Follow Askal: https://www.instagram.com/askal.melb/
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