About Rex
FROM LONDON TO THE PHILIPPINES- AND BACK AGAIN.
Rex De Guzman is a British-born Filipino chef, author and entrepreneur who has spent more than a decade championing Filipino food and culture in the UK.
Founder of Turo Turo, co-founder of Taste Philippines and author of Kamayan: The Filipino Cookbook, his work spans restaurants, publishing, television and international culinary events.
At the heart of it all is one purpose: To pioneer and popularise Filipino cuisine and culture
A JOURNEY OF AMBITION, IDENTITY & PURPOSE
2014
THE BEGINNING OF A MISSION
At 21, Rex hosted his first Filipino pop-up restaurant in Greenwich. What started as a way to stand out as a young chef soon became his mission: to introduce more people to Filipino food while reconnecting with his own heritage.
2018-2019
A STREET FOOD ADVENTURE
Rex left Gordon Ramsay’s Maze to launch Turo Turo as a Filipino street-food business. In 2019, Turo Turo became Southern Champion at the British Street Food Awards and won Best Vegetarian Dish at the UK national finals.
2024
THE ROAD TO RESTAURANT
After years of pop-ups, street food markets and pub kitchen residencies, Turo Turo opened its first permanent restaurant in Tooting Broadway in November 2024 with Apl.De.Ap as a leading investor and partner — a Filipino Bar & Grill built around food, drinks, music, culture and community.
2016
CULINARY RESEARCH EXPEDITION
Rex travelled around the Philippines for three months, exploring Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The journey deepened his understanding of Filipino cuisine, regional ingredients and traditions — and continues to shape his cooking today.
2022
NATIONAL TELEVISION
Rex became a grand finalist on Channel 4’s The Great Cookbook Challenge with Jamie Oliver, pitching his vision for a modern Filipino cookbook to Jamie and a panel of publishing experts.
2026
A DEFINING YEAR
Rex returned to the Philippines as a featured chef at IFEX Philippines and had the honour of cooking at Malacañang Palace for the President, First Lady and members of the First Family.
Back in London, Turo Turo welcomed the Black Eyed Peas and their touring crew for a private celebration dinner.
Rex’s debut cookbook, Kamayan: The Filipino Cookbook, was published by Michael Joseph in July 2026.
