Host offerings
Casto was born in the Philippines and moved to the United States with his family when he was 3 years old. He has been in the culinary space as long as he can remember – from an undergrad in Food Science in Upstate New York, to culinary school in Vancouver, Canada, to being a Pastry Chef at a hotel in Washington DC, and most recently an Executive Chef at a culinary school in Los Angeles. He moved to Manila in 2017 to discover his roots through food, language, and people and has since returned to the US. His cuisine is a reflection of his food journey: the memories of Filipino dishes shared at the family table, the Western techniques he learned and honed in the restaurant industry, and his imagination that brings both of them together. Apart from being a chef, Casto is also a yoga teacher and loves the outdoors. He looks forward to spreading his love of Filipino cuisine as well as connecting with food-forward travelers, sharing food and travel stories.
Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.
Cooking experience (1 - 6 guests) Meet Casto at his apartment in the Washington DC suburb of Vienna. After settling in with a welcome drink and snack, join Casto in his cozy kitchen for a hands-on cooking class that will last about an hour. You will learn to make 2-3 dishes during your traditional Filipino cooking class with Casto. Learn to cook dishes such as adobong manok (adobo braised chicken), pancit guisdao (sauteed noodles), or lumpiang shanghai (mini spring rolls). By the end of your cooking class, you will have successfully learned to use local, seasonal ingredients to recreate Casto’s interpretation of traditional Filipino dishes. After the class, you will sit at the dining table to share the meal you helped prepare as well as a few additional dishes that Casto may have prepared in advance. The meal will end with dessert such as ube (purple yam) ice cream and coffee or tea. You will also get to take home some homemade goodies such as pandan polvoron (milky shortbread).
Notes: You will also be asked to take your shoes off when you enter his apartment, as this is a part of the Filipino tradition that embodies respect for the owner of the house. If you've paid additionally for alcohol, Casto will serve you a Manila Mule (mango, ginger, and lemongrass cocktail).
Languages spoken: #<HostLanguage::ActiveRecord_Associations_CollectionProxy:0x00007ffadbcfe260>
This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
A Traveling Spoon ambassador visited this host. Here is their personal review.
Casto is a great conversationalist and there was never a dull moment with him. Denise and I think that he is an old soul because he is young but has a lot of experience up his sleeve! We admire how Casto expresses his individuality and his vibrant personality is evident in how he presents himself. We loved what he served us for lunch. We are not vegans but we really enjoyed the food. He served us 3 dishes, 2 of which were tangy, and the other had a rich taste of garlic and mushroom which really complemented the taste of the whole meal.
Cherry and Denise, Traveling Spoon Ambassador
Pricing (per person)*
| 1 person | 4 people | 5+ people | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking Experience + Meal | $95 | $85 | $75 |
| Alcohol | $15 per person | ||
| *Does not include 3% payment processing fee applied at checkout. | |||
| Lunch | Dinner | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Experience + Meal | 11:00am - 02:00pm | 5:30pm - 08:30pm |
Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.
