In the Spotlight: Juan Carlo the Caterer Celebrates 30 Years of Legacy
Celebrating three decades of shaping milestones through exceptional cuisine and impeccable service
By Art+ Magazine Team
Photo courtesy of Juan Carlo the Caterer
November 25, 2025
After decades of setting the stage for others, Juan Carlo the Caterer steps into the spotlight to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
On November 11, the family behind Juan Carlo marked this milestone at The Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan, joined by longtime clients turned close friends, and distinguished guests. The event honored the partners and people who helped shape the company’s three-decade journey.
Juan Carlo marked its 30th anniversary with a spectacular celebration featuring powerhouse performances from renowned Filipino artists, including Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Yeng Constantino, Erik Santos, Aicelle Santos, and more.
Juan Carlo the Caterer 30th Anniversary at the Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan
The evening showcased the culinary mastery of Juan Carlo the Caterer, whose menu demonstrated how each dish becomes a work of art. By elevating locally sourced ingredients with French and broader European techniques, Juan Carlo highlighted the sophistication of Filipino flavors—and their rightful place on the global culinary stage.
The dinner opened with Alab ng Sining, an appetizer of A5 Wagyu and foie gras infused with the native Filipino flavors of kamias, pili nuts, potato, and kangkong—served with a fiery presentation as a homage to heritage and artistry. This was followed by Tahimik sa Kabundukan, a French-style potato soup reimagined with Cordillera potatoes, Pangasinan leeks, and seared Pampanga unagi. Next came Salinlahi, a smoked duck salad with poached pear filled with Boursin cream, native mango slaw, and toasted walnut dressing.
The first main dish, Libro ng Lahi, featured grilled sea bass with French sabayon with salted egg, kalabasa puree, santol slices, adlai risotto, pako fern leaves, Bicol pili nuts, and asin tibuok from Bohol. Between courses, guests enjoyed Gunita, a refreshing guava sorbet with calamansi and lemon zest. The second entrée, Pagsilang, paired U.S. Angus rib eye with half lobster tail, aligue-saffron risotto, atchara mustard emulsion, and tricolor pepper cream. Dessert, aptly named Hiyas ng Kalikasan, combined Cebu mangoes, Pangasinan sweet corn, Quezon coconut, and Silang honeycomb, finished with edible art and rice paper crisp painted with Katrina Cuenca’s brush strokes.
Libro ng Lahi
A Legacy Built on Passion
Juan Carlo the Caterer traces its roots to childhood memories of food. Founder Engr. Alex Michael del Rosario grew up visiting restaurants and discovering new flavors with his aunt, Cecilia del Rosario Pacumio, who raised him. He credits her for instilling the core values that define the company today—excellence, elegance, transparency, passion, and a deep appreciation for food and life.
Guided by these values, Engr. Alex and his wife Teresita took a leap of faith in 1995. Leaving behind a stable life in Saudi Arabia, they returned to the Philippines to establish Juan Carlo the Caterer—named after their son. Drawing from their combined skills and exposure to diverse Middle Eastern cuisines, they began building what would become one of the country’s most respected catering brands.
Del Rosario Family
Juan Carlo’s rise accelerated as it became the trusted choice for celebrity milestones, including the wedding of Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid, Kathryn Bernardo’s debut, and the wedding of Zoren Legaspi and Carmina Villarroel. Word of mouth and glowing recommendations solidified the company’s reputation for luxury and exceptional service.
Their growing prominence eventually led them to handle high-profile events, including a US Embassy gathering that brought together Philippine and American delegates—further establishing the brand as a leader in the industry.
Yet for Juan Carlo del Rosario, the company’s assistant vice president, the heart of their work goes beyond crafting beautiful events.
“The real magic isn’t just in the food; it’s in the bond and trust we share with our clients,” he shared. “We don’t just cater events. We get to see every important stage of their lives and see how they unfold as persons—from birthdays to weddings, even christenings and more. They aren’t just clients; they become our family whose milestones we help stage.”
Del Rosario Family
This sense of family is mirrored within the company itself. When the pandemic brought the events industry to a standstill, the del Rosarios immediately recognized its impact on their employees. To support their team, they launched Juan Carlo Food to Go, delivering single-serve boxed meals across CALABARZON. They also established a culinary lab to train staff on new health and safety protocols, investing in continuous learning to prepare for the industry’s next chapter. The care and commitment the owners extend to their employees is reflected in the team’s loyalty and dedication.
As Juan Carlo the Caterer marks 30 years of culinary artistry, the company looks ahead with renewed purpose.
“Juan Carlo the Caterer’s legacy is built on passion, hard work, and the drive to be at the heart of tasteful celebrations,” said Juan Carlo. “As we look towards staging more memorable moments and setting new standards for luxury, we commit to continuous delivery of world-class culinary performances and creating unforgettable memories.”
