2019
AdoboFest launches at the Geekdom Event Centre in San Antonio.
Created as a grassroots cooking competition for home cooks, celebrating Filipino cuisine—especially adobo—and fostering community connections.
Format: Informal, with local home cooks preparing and sharing their signature adobo recipes.
2020–2021
Pandemic disruption: In-person events are paused or scaled down.
The community stays engaged online and through small initiatives.
Organizers use this time to plan for a more robust, post-pandemic return.
2022
Adobo Throwdown officially debuts, evolving from AdoboFest.
New elements:
Ube Throwdown: Competition for ube-based desserts.
Professional Adobo Competition: Launch of the Elite Adobo League, inviting professional chefs to compete alongside amateurs.
Purpose expands: The event becomes a fundraiser for the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce – Central Texas Region.
Establishes itself as the only Filipino Food Festival in San Antonio..
2023
Adobo Throwdown 2.0 expands into a two-day event.
New competitions:
Filipino BBQ Throwdown debuts, celebrating the art of Filipino-style barbecue.
Lumpia Throwdown launches, spotlighting the beloved Filipino spring roll.
Growth: More participants, vendors, and attendees.
Competition structure: Professional & Amateur Adobo, Ube Dessert, Filipino BBQ, and Lumpia.
Reputation: Becomes San Antonio’s signature Filipino culinary event.
2024
Adobo Throwdown 3.0 draws nearly 1,000 attendees per day over two days.
Competitions: Professional & Amateur Adobo, Ube Dessert, Filipino BBQ, Lumpia.
Winners:
Professional Adobo: Chef Dan Castro (1st), Chef Belle Stoker (2nd), Chef David Ritualo (3rd)
Amateur Adobo: Jenny McCray (1st), Nicole LeBron (2nd), Love Duka (3rd)
Filipino BBQ: Joseph Delrosario (1st), David Wu (2nd), Nicole LeBron (3rd)
Ube Dessert (People’s Choice): Bakenbite
Adobo (People’s Choice): RockNRollsTX
Filipino BBQ (People’s Choice): Mahal’s Kitchen
Lumpia (People’s Choice): RockNRollsTX
Community spirit and culinary creativity shine.
2026
Adobo Throwdown 4.0 rescheduled for October 2026 to allow for expanded offerings and to bundle with the 2026 The Outstanding Filipinos of San Antonio (TOFSA) during Filipino American History Month.
Free admission for all, making the event accessible to the entire community and maximizing cultural impact.
Focus: Expanded competitions, culinary showcases, and broader community engagement.
2025
Major Expansion Year: - 2025 is a landmark year for Adobo Throwdown, marked by ambitious growth, new competitions, and the event’s first foray outside Texas.
Lumpia Throwdown 3.0 held on March 16, 2025 - Celebrated on National Lumpia Day, spotlighting the Filipino spring roll as a beloved culinary staple.
Filipino BBQ Throwdown 3.0 held on June 15, 2025 -Timed with both Philippine Independence Day and Father’s Day, making it a celebration of heritage and family
Adobo Throwdown scheduled for November 15, 2025 in Cerritos, California -
First Adobo Throwdown event outside Texas, in partnership with the Council of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC).
Venue: Secured in Cerritos, CA, with experienced event planners on board.
Goal: Establish a West Coast presence and lay the groundwork for future events in other cities.
About Adobo Throwdown
Adobo Throwdown is San Antonio’s original Filipino food festival and cooking competition, founded to celebrate the rich flavors and creativity of Filipino cuisine. What began in 2019 as a grassroots event for home cooks at the Geekdom Event Centre has grown into a multi-city, multi-day culinary showcase—featuring professional chefs, passionate amateurs, and a vibrant community of food lovers. From our signature adobo competitions to our beloved Ube, Lumpia, and Filipino BBQ throwdowns, we bring together families, chefs, and foodies to honor tradition, inspire innovation, and support humanitarian causes. Whether you’re competing, tasting, or simply celebrating with us, Adobo Throwdown is where Filipino food and culture shine.