A NEW CHAPTER IN FILIPINO HOSPITALITY

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The People Behind the Food

Chef Paolo Dungca

Chef & Owner, Kayu & Morena Cafe

Born in San Fernando, Pampanga, Chef Paolo Dungca moved to Los Angeles at 13, bringing with him the flavors and memories of his Filipino upbringing. After discovering his passion for cooking while working at Disneyland, he traded nursing school for culinary school and went on to cook at acclaimed restaurants including Bad Saint, Restaurant Eve, and Kaliwa. In 2023, he transformed Hiraya into a full-service restaurant in Northeast D.C., earning national recognition including a 2025 James Beard Foundation Emerging Chef semifinalist nod. Today, through Kayu and Morena Cafe, Paolo continues to push Filipino cuisine forward with food that is personal, progressive, and deeply rooted in culture.

Chef Julie Cortes

Born and raised in Parañaque, just outside Manila, Chef Julie Cortes brings a deep foundation in Filipino cuisine, hospitality, and both savory and pastry kitchens. After building her career in Manila and Washington, D.C., she joined the opening team at Hiraya Café before becoming Executive Chef of Kayu, where she celebrates the flavors of the Philippines through refined, modern dishes. In 2025, Cortes won the Capital Food Fight, and in 2026, she was named a Rising Star by StarChefs, cementing her place among Washington’s emerging culinary talents. Beyond the kitchen, she is deeply involved in community and advocacy work, using food as a way to connect, celebrate, and create impact.

Executive Chef, Kayu & Morena Cafe

From morning coffee to evening dinner, where every visit feels like home.

Morena Café and Kayu celebrate Filipino hospitality through two distinct yet connected experiences.

MORENA is a Filipino-ish café where specialty coffee, house-made pastries and seasonal dishes are inspired by the flavors of the Philippines with a contemporary twist.

KAYU offers a modern take on Filipino cuisine, drawing from regional traditions and refined techniques to create dishes that are both familiar and unexpected.

Together, they reflect a shared vision of honoring heritage while embracing creativity, inviting guests to experience Filipino culture from morning coffee to evening dinner.