Chef James is a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, San Francisco specializing in Pastry Arts. After graduating, Chef James joined the Patina and Melrose Restaurants working under celebrated chef Joachim Splichal. After which Chef James also honed his pastry skills at the Four Seasons Hotel, Newport Beach, CA.

Chef James returned to Manila in 2003 to become Program Manager of CCA Manila, raising their standards and working for their American Culinary Federation accreditation. As a culinary educator, Chef James has worked and consulted for the Institute of Culinary Arts and Food Service and Istituto Culinario. Since 2010, he is the organizer and chief judge of the only World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) accredited culinary competition in the Philippines, the Philippine Culinary Cup (PCC). Chef James is managing director of Antolin Culinary Consultant, Inc., Vice President of the Pastry Alliance of the Philippines (PAP) and is a WACS accredited B Level Pastry judge.