Our Story

Chef Josh Boutwood and the Ember team

Born from Fire, Built on Conviction

Ember is the latest creation of Chef Josh Boutwood — one of the Philippines' most unconventional culinary forces. Located at Greenbelt 3 in Makati City, it is a restaurant that smolders with sophistication.

The concept was born from Boutwood's belief that fire — raw, primal, and honest — is the most truthful tool in any kitchen. Unlike his other concepts, Ember strips away cuisine labels. There is no category, no single country of origin. Instead, Boutwood gathers inspiration from multiple cultures and channels it through flame.

The kitchen employs a full range of heat: convection, stone hearth, stovetops, and a custom smoker that infuses each dish with a distinctly smoked essence. The result is a menu that doesn't belong to any single tradition — and is all the better for it.

Expect nothing but the best. No boundaries. Just exceptional food.

Our Philosophy

Three principles guide every dish, every service, every season at Ember.

Fire as Foundation

Flame is not a technique at Ember — it is the philosophy. Every preparation begins with an understanding of heat, char, and smoke. Fire returns us to what is real.

No Boundaries

Cuisine categories are limitations. Boutwood draws from multiple cultures, techniques, and traditions — allowing each dish to speak for itself rather than belong to any one canon.

Restraint Over Excess

Each dish is forged by flame, yet guided by restraint. The most powerful statement is knowing when to stop — letting the ingredient speak without interference.

Our Values

01
Integrity
Only the finest, most honest ingredients find their way into our kitchen
02
Innovation
Going places no one dares to — reflected in the astronaut that greets every guest
03
Restraint
Knowing exactly when to step back and let fire, time, and the ingredient do the work
04
Craft
Every plate is a deliberate act — unhurried, considered, and executed with absolute care
05
Excellence
No compromise, no shortcuts — a standard that is recognized by the Michelin Guide

Milestones

2021
Ember Opens at Greenbelt 3
Chef Josh Boutwood launches Ember at Greenbelt 3, Makati — a fire-forward dining concept unlike any in the Philippines at the time.
2022
Tatler Recognition
Tatler Asia notes Ember as "uncomplicated excellence" — Chef Boutwood's most focused work to date. The restaurant gains national attention.
2023
Social Community Grows
Ember's Instagram community grows past 10,000 followers, building a loyal following drawn to the brand's honest approach to cooking.
2025
Michelin Guide Selection
Ember is recognized as a MICHELIN-Selected Restaurant — a milestone the entire team earned through relentless dedication to craft and quality.
2026
The Work Continues
Ember continues to evolve — new seasonal dishes, new techniques on the hearth, and the same unwavering standard that defined it from day one.
13K+
Instagram Followers
2021
Year Established
4+
Years of Excellence
1
Michelin Recognition
The flame at Ember

Come to the Table

A reservation at Ember is an invitation to experience fire-forward cuisine at its most considered. Seats are limited. The flame waits for no one.

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