Jordy Navarra

Jordy Navarra is the chef and co-owner of Toyo Eatery, which he runs with his wife May, in Makati, Philippines. Toyo is the Filipino word for soy sauce. The restaurant takes inspiration from facets of Filipino culture in exploring national identity through its cuisine. Toyo Eatery has been in the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list for three years running since 2019.

If you could recommend 3 books to anyone, what would they be?

Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond

It helped me accept that situations in life are brought about by circumstance and that anything is possible, in the sense that no group of people have genetic or intellectual limitations.

Noma: Time and Place in Nordic Cuisine by René Redzepi

This book showed me it’s possible to take an idea and share it with the world regardless of their preconceived notions or ideas about where you come from.

The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo

I liked how it taught me a skill in a light and fun way.

What are you reading now?

John Pawson: Anatomy of Minimum by Alison Morris

What is your favourite bookstore or library?

I’ve actually been doing a lot of Kindle browsing and readings on my iPad, but I used to often go to Fully Booked a few years back since they had a very nice collection of cookbooks. Of course, I also love Booksale and the Big Bad Wolf Books events, since I just like going through a large number of books and finding one I like. The internet is also useful when I’m looking for something to read, but I’m always wary of who’s written the article.