Mercedes-Benz Philippines introduced Michelin-starred chef José Luis “Chele” González as its newest brand ambassador on September 24, 2026. The announcement came during Welcome Home: A Culinary Journey Through 140 Years of Innovation, a dinner held at the brand’s flagship showroom in Greenhills, San Juan.
Guests were treated to a specially prepared degustation by González, who paired five Mercedes-Benz models with five original dishes. Each course translated the character of a vehicle into flavor, technique, and presentation—much to the delight of those in attendance.
The evening began with three bites inspired by the brand’s core values. The Crab Tartlet represented Safety and Comfort, combining a crisp shell with delicate crab. A Tuna and Pâté Roll captured Innovation through an unexpected pairing, while an Abalone Salad expressed Technology through precise preparation and balance.
That opening was followed by a two-hour dinner presented in five chapters. Each chapter began with a film about the featured vehicle, followed by another showing how González developed the corresponding dish.
The first course was the chef’s interpretation of the Patent Motorwagen. Titled “Ignition,” it featured foie gras torchon with langka, toasted pili nuts, and cacao—a nod to the vehicle where Mercedes-Benz’s story began.
Next came the Mercedes-AMG SL and “Adrenaline,” a dish of Hokkaido scallops with mango, calamansi, hibiscus-chili dressing, pickles, and shiso oil. Its bright flavors and layered presentation reflected the roadster’s open-air performance.
The G-Class followed with “The Icon,” González’s take on German Maultaschen. Ravioli filled with local lobster was served with butter and currywurst sauce, along with caviar. The dish retained the familiar identity of the classic German preparation while updating its details.
The main course, naturally, was inspired by the S-Class Maybach. “The Sovereign” featured Bresse pigeon flown in for the occasion, paired with pickled beetroot purée, adobo sauce made from the pigeon’s own juices, fondant potato, and slow-cooked pigeon leg.
The final course brought together the GLE 400e PHEV and EQE Sedan in “Evolution,” a reworked Black Forest dessert with streusel, local red berry and mango coulis, local chocolate crunch, and chocolate-cardamom foam. The pairing reflected the shift from combustion engines to electric power.
González approached each dish as an interpretation of the vehicle’s personality—not a literal copy of the car.
Chef’s Choice: GLE 400e PHEV
One of the evening’s highlights was the formal introduction of González as Mercedes-Benz Philippines’ newest brand ambassador. After his address, he joined host David Celdran on stage to discuss his vehicle of choice, the GLE PHEV.
He spoke about the SUV’s family-friendly space, electric driving range, and sustainability credentials. His favorite feature is the Burmester Surround Sound System—a fitting choice for a chef who also works as a DJ.
To close the evening, Georgette Barrera-Jalasco, head of marketing for Inchcape Philippines, delivered her remarks. Through the thoughtfully curated Welcome Home experience, Mercedes-Benz Philippines and González brought together two worlds of craftsmanship: one shaped by 140 years of automotive innovation, the other by the discipline and creativity of contemporary gastronomy.
New Business Unit Head
The dinner also served as the formal launch of Jun Cajayon as the new business unit head of Mercedes-Benz Philippines. Cajayon previously held another position at Inchcape Philippines several years ago and has now returned to the company in his new role.
He walked guests through 140 years of Mercedes-Benz milestones and shared plans for the local market, including the opening of two dealerships before the end of 2026: Mercedes-Benz Alabang and Mercedes-Benz Cebu.
Both locations will feature the new Mercedes Architectural Rendition (MAR 20X) design, which uses an open, home-style layout supported by digital features for customers. The Greenhills flagship showroom is also scheduled to relaunch under the MAR 20X identity. Cajayon added that new model announcements are expected in 2027.
Asked which of the Mercedes-Benz models on display was his favorite, Cajayon pointed to the 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280SL, better known as the Pagoda. He said he’s a fan of vintage classics and noted that the model was introduced around the same period he was born, in the early 1970s.
The Pagoda stands apart from other SL models because of its concave hardtop. For Cajayon, it strikes a particularly appealing balance between elegance, engineering, usability, and design.
In addition to the Pagoda, the evening’s display included a 1967 Mercedes-Benz 250 SE W108 SWB, a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 200 W123, a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 380SL, a 1984 Mercedes-Benz W124 Cabriolet Final Edition, and a 2009 Mercedes-Benz G550 W463 LWB.
Inside the showroom, two current models took center stage: the Mercedes-Benz GLE 400e Plug-In Hybrid and the Mercedes-AMG SL 55 4MATIC+.
Mercedes-Benz showrooms are located in Greenhills, Alabang, and Cebu.