Robby Goco is aware that lamb meat is a niche protein in the Philippines.

"The common misconception about lamb is that it's maagno or gamey. But I guess that's because the available lamb meat in the Philippines use to be very tough, very gamey, and nobody knew how to cook them," Goco said in a media roundtable.

Chef Robby Goco is the country’s first ‘Lambassador.’

But as a big fan of the flavorful, low-fat and high nutritional value meat, Goco was determined to make lamb a mainstream option for Filipinos.

"The nice thing about lamb is it's very delicate, it has a sweet, caramel flavor. I pushed for lamb meat because I enjoy cooking and eating it.

"My family loves it too. My daughter's first protein was lamb because I read that it's high in Omega 2, which is great for brain development and she's top of her class. My wife, a fitness guru, eats lamb every day," the chef shared.

Goco was among the first restaurateurs to use lamb outside of five-star hotels. In his popular casual Greek restaurant, Cyma Greek Taverna, Lamb Keftedes (Greek meatball), Grilled Lamb and Watermelon Salad, and the traditional Lamb Youvetsi became favorites for diners.

Country-style Fried Lamb Eight-hour Roast Lamb Paidakia Lamb Ribs Verjus Low and Slow Lamb Stew

His passion for lamb did not go unnoticed to Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) which had been searching for the Philippines' first "Lambassador."

The Lambassador program is a global project that identifies influential food professionals who are passionate about cooking with Australian lamb.

The program began in Japan in 2015 and has now grown to a community of over 50 food professionals worldwide.

So far, Lambassadors have been appointed in Indonesia, China, Jordan, and the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region.

MLA appointed Goco as the first Lambassador for the Philippines with a mission to elevate awareness and appreciation for Australian lamb within the Filipino gastronomic landscape.

Acclaimed for his culinary expertise and innovative restaurant concepts including Souv! by Cyma and Cyma Greek Taverna, chef Goco brings a wealth of experience and passion to his new role.

"I am truly honored and excited to embark on this journey. The Australian lamb is renowned for its exceptional quality and flavor, and I look forward to showcasing its versatility in my restaurants and beyond. Through culinary collaborations and creative initiatives, I hope to inspire a newfound appreciation for Australian lamb while celebrating the diverse flavors of both Australia and the Philippines," Goco shared.

As part of his appointment, Goco visited Australia in late 2023 and joined other lambassadors in a week of paddock-to-plate experience. On the trip, he engaged with chefs, restaurateurs, and food enthusiasts and was further exposed to the versatility, flavor, and sustainability of Australian lamb.

From this trip, Goco is further highlighting lamb into his menu by offering new dishes to his restaurant including, 8-hour Roast Lamb (Goco's signature slow-roasted lamb shoulder), Paidakia Lamb Ribs Verjus (charcoal-grilled Sous Vide lamb ribs with verjus glaze), Low and Slow Lamb Stew (Greek stifado-style with grape molasses, carrots and whole shallots), and Country-style Fried Lamb (tender breaded lamb loin chops).

Moving forward, Goco will collaborate closely with MLA and Australian lamb producers and importers to highlight the premium quality and sustainability practices that define Australian lamb production.

"We are thrilled to appoint Robby Goco as the Philippines' Lambassador, promoting Australian lamb across the Philippines. Chef Robby's passion for culinary innovation and dedication to quality perfectly aligns with our commitment to delivering premium Australian lamb to consumers worldwide," Spencer Whitaker, Market Development Manager for the Asia Pacific MLA, finally said.

For more information about chef Goco and his culinary ventures, visit cymarestaurants.Com/about/ and follow him on social media. For updates and insights on Australian lamb, visit Meat and Livestock Australia's website and https://lambassadors.com/lambassadors.