Two Manila-based hospitality destinations are making significant commitments to plant-based dining, positioning the Philippines at the forefront of sustainable luxury hospitality innovation.

Winford Resort & Casino Manila has become the first gaming complex in the Philippines to commit to 30% plant-based menu options by 2026, while Okada Manila sets the benchmark as the first integrated resort to achieve 30% plant-based dining by 2028.

Gaming Complex Leadership

Winford’s commitment transforms thousands of daily dining experiences across its restaurants, bars, and event facilities, with the 2026 timeline demonstrating both operational feasibility and strategic market positioning.

“Winford Resort & Casino Manila is proud to be the first gaming complex in the Philippines to publicly commit to making 30% of its food offerings plant-based, a shift we will carry out by next year,” said Justine Anne Vergara, Director of Hotel Operations at Winford Resort & Casino Manila.”Consumer demand for healthy and sustainable food is rising across all segments, including gaming, leisure and luxury hospitality. Winford’s early action positions us ahead of the curve, proving that sustainability can also be smart business while enhancing the overall guest experience.” 

Integrated Resort Innovation

Okada Manila, recipient of the Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating, extends its commitment across over 20 dining establishments serving nearly 20,000 daily guests and 10,000 employees. The resort’s Kappou Yoshi restaurant already demonstrates successful implementation, with over 30% plant-based menu options.

“When we started talking about setting a 30% plant-based goal by 2028, it came from a simple place—care,” said Andrea Ballas, Vice President for Food & Beverage at Okada Manila. “We care about our guests, our team, and the kind of future we’re helping shape. This isn’t just a menu change—it’s a step toward something better, and something we believe in. We want to continue offering the same level of care and quality our guests expect from Okada, while also doing what feels right.”

Strategic Implementation and Industry Impact

Both properties are implementing employee-centered rollout strategies, recognizing that strong internal adoption drives external success. Their combined commitments will reshape tens of thousands of daily dining experiences, shifting hundreds of thousands of meals annually from conventional to plant-based options.

“The way we eat impacts the world more than we often realize,” said Chef Josef Teuschler, Culinary Director at Okada Manila. “By creating more plant-based options, we’re reducing our environmental footprint—but we’re also giving our guests and team members something truly meaningful: choice, nourishment, and a shared sense of responsibility. It’s not just a number; it’s a reflection of who we are and the future we want to help create.”

Developed in partnership with Lever Foundation, these commitments mark a notable step for the Philippines in sustainable hospitality and may encourage similar properties across Southeast Asia to explore plant-based menu integration.

“These pledges by Winford and Okada show how sustainability can be woven into the everyday guest and employee experience,” said Marielle Lagulay, Sustainability Program Manager at Lever Foundation. “By expanding plant-based dining, these properties are not only offering more choice and nourishment, but also opening space for the wider industry to imagine what responsible hospitality can look like.”