Florabel Co-Yatco is one of the most successful restaurateurs in the Philippines – a chef, entrepreneur and, more recently, a public official who built one of the country’s largest home-grown restaurant groups. Known as a “restaurateur to the stars”, she rose from professional kitchens to found the Florabel Group of Restaurants, whose brands range from continental fine dining to celebrated Filipino heritage cuisine.
Trained in continental cooking but deeply proud of Filipino food, Co-Yatco combines culinary skill with sharp business instincts, and has become a prominent figure in Manila’s dining scene.
TL;DR
- Filipino chef and restaurateur, born 27 September 1972
- Studied Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Santo Tomas
- Trained under leading Manila chefs before opening her own restaurant in 2005
- Founder and CEO of the Florabel Group of Restaurants, with more than 20 outlets
- Creator of the Filipino heritage restaurant brand Crisostomo
Florabel Co-Yatco key facts
| Born | 27 September 1972, Philippines |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Known for | Florabel Group of Restaurants |
| Brands | Florabel; Crisostomo; Corazon |
| Trained at | University of Santo Tomas |
From student to professional kitchens
Florabel Co-Yatco was born on 27 September 1972 and grew up in a food-loving family, developing an entrepreneurial streak early by selling pastries to classmates. She studied Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Santo Tomas, and trained with some of Manila’s most respected chefs, including a practicum with Glenda Barretto of Via Mare and years at Le Souffle alongside chefs Billy King and Jessie Sincioco. Still in her early twenties, she was entrusted with running the prestigious restaurant Top of the Citi, where she built relationships with the celebrities and public figures who would become loyal patrons.
Building a restaurant group
In December 2005 Co-Yatco opened her own restaurant, Florabel, showcasing the continental fine dining she had become known for. In 2012 she launched Crisostomo, a restaurant celebrating Filipino heritage through nostalgic dishes and design, which became a signature brand. From these beginnings she built the Florabel Group of Restaurants into one of the largest independently owned restaurant companies in the country, operating more than twenty outlets across Metro Manila and Laguna under brands such as Crisostomo, Corazon, Sisa’s Secret and others.
Beyond the kitchen
Co-Yatco’s influence extends beyond her restaurants. She is married with four children, and in recent years has entered public life, becoming a party-list representative advocating for maternal healthcare, employment for mothers and family welfare. Her career has become a model of Filipino culinary entrepreneurship, combining hospitality, brand-building and a strong sense of heritage.
Signature style
Co-Yatco’s cooking bridges two worlds: the polished continental fine dining she mastered early in her career, and the beloved Filipino dishes she celebrates in brands like Crisostomo. Across both, she is known for hospitality, consistency and an instinct for what diners want – qualities that turned a single restaurant into a large and enduring group.
Florabel Co-Yatco in context
Co-Yatco is one of the leading figures in Philippine dining, part of the same national culinary scene as chefs featured on Pickup Table 4 such as Roland Laudico and Jackie Laudico.
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Florabel Co-Yatco FAQ
Who is Florabel Co-Yatco?
A Filipino chef and restaurateur, founder and CEO of the Florabel Group of Restaurants.
What restaurants did she found?
Florabel, Crisostomo and other brands within her large restaurant group.
Where did she train?
At the University of Santo Tomas and under leading Manila chefs including Jessie Sincioco.
What is Crisostomo?
Her Filipino heritage restaurant brand, launched in 2012.
What is she known for?
Building one of the Philippines’ largest home-grown restaurant groups.
