Julie Cortes
Kayu | Washington, D.C.
February 2026
Julie Cortes was born and raised in Parañaque, a bustling city just outside Manila in the Philippines. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management from De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde before first traveling to the United States for an externship at The Sagamore Resort in Upstate New York. After graduating, Cortes joined Wildflour Café + Bakery in Manila, led by Rising Stars alum Walter Manzke and his wife, Pastry Chef Margarita Manzke. Within six months, she earned the opportunity to step into the role of sous chef, a position she held for three years, gaining a strong foundation in both savory and pastry-driven kitchens.
In 2018, Cortes relocated to the United States and joined the opening team at Del Mar, a Spanish seafood restaurant in Washington, D.C., where she cooked under Rising Stars alum Fabio Trabocchi and Chef Alex Rosser. In 2020, she met Rising Stars alum Paolo Dungca, who invited her to join Kaliwa, a Southeast Asian–influenced restaurant from Rising Stars alum Cathal Armstrong and Meshelle Armstrong. Over the next three years, Cortes rose through the ranks to become chef de cuisine, helping to shape the restaurant’s culinary identity.
In 2023, when Dungca opened Hiraya Café, Cortes joined and worked under Rising Stars alum Pichet Ong, where she expanded her technical repertoire, particularly in bread and pastry. When Hiraya closed in 2025, Cortes stepped into the role of executive chef at Dungca’s new location of Kayu, his Filipino tasting-menu concept. There, she celebrates the flavors of the Philippines through refined, visually striking dishes, including her mango-peach “ravioli” with labneh filling, coconut tapioca, mango-peach compote, and pineapple-mint oil. In November 2025, Cortes won D.C. Central Kitchen’s Capital Food Fight, further cementing her reputation as one of D.C.’s rising culinary talents. Beyond the kitchen, she is actively involved in community and advocacy organizations, including D.C. Central Kitchen and Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate.
2026 StarChefs D.C.-Maryland-Virginia Rising Stars Award Winner
