February 2022 – Page 2 – Jellybeans in the City

Enjoy a feast fit for an emperor at Hahn Restaurant

Have you ever found yourself somewhat distracted from the storyline of your newest binge-able Korean drama because you can’t take your eyes off the sumptuous dishes that your oppas and unnies are feasting on?

If you’ve been salivating over the colorful and appetizing food that make appearances in your favorite K-dramas, then Ayala Malls Manila Bay’s Korean Town should be right up your alley.

Home of authentic Korean specialties

Located in this hub is Hahn Restaurant, a stalwart when it comes to authentic Korean cuisine.

Inside its elegant interiors, you can sit down and dine in comfort as you experience Korea and its culture through food with your special someone, or with your family and friends.

You may also entertain a large group in one of the VIP Rooms (both can be combined into one even larger room for bigger parties).

You may also opt to enjoy your Korean food al fresco by stepping out to the veranda.

True to its positioning as the home of authentic Korean cusine, its offerings are prepared using traditional cooking methods such as fermenting, boiling, blanching, seasoning, and pickling. These are served with bap (cooked rice), kuk (dishes with broth), kimchi (traditional Korean sode dish made of fermented and seasoned vegetables) and banchan (side dishes), to be consumed at the same time, as the layering of flavors and textures is a hallmark of Korean dining.

A feast fit for an emperor

If you’re all set to expand your gastronomic horizons in Korean cuisine, Hahn Restaurant’s Emperor’s Feast will bring you the classic Korean faves, all in one set, meticulously prepared by the resto’s Chef Isagani according traditional Korean methods.

With this exciting meal set, you and a friend can enjoy a filling array classic Korean flavors for just Php980, which includes:

Kimchi-Jjigae. The central dish of the Emperor’s Feast, this hearty stew made with kimchi, pork belly and gochujang brings you spicy, tangy and umami flavors with each spoonful.

Hahn Gimbap. To cool your palate, you can bite into a few slices of cooked rice, crisp vegetables and meats rolled in dried seaweed sheets.

Bibimbap. For a truly satisfying meal for you and your companion, two servings of Hahn Restaurant’s best-seller – the Bibimbap, made with cooked rice topped with sauteed vegetables, kimchi, sliced meat and fried egg – will be served.

Banchan. Bite into these delicious side dishes to complement your meal.

To complete the set, you and your friend can choose two sodas from the restaurant’s beverage menu.

The Emperor’s Feast is truly a feast for the taste buds, but you need to hie yourself over to Hahn Restaurant asap to experience it as it’s available for a limited time only.

If you feel that a visit to a Korean restaurant is not complete without grilling some meat, you can always add an ala carte order of Pork Belly Samgyupsal for just Php350.

So whenever you feel like grabbing the food off the K-drama lead’s hands during your binge-watching sesh, just drop by Hahn Restaurant to get your taste of deliciously authentic Korean food.

Hahn Restaurant is located at Third Floor, Korean Town, Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Paranaque City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 10am to 7pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 9pm. For inquiries and reservations, call +63 2 79337658 or +63 906 2142575.

You may also order from its website for delivery. Here’s a tip: Use my code JellyHR15 and get 15% off your orders (excluding The Emperor’s Feast). Code is valid until August 31, 2022 for online purchases.

To stay updated on its latest promos and offers, follow Hahn Restaurant on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Youtube.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting held in the restaurant. Food items mentioned here were served to facilitate the experience for an honest review.

Miguelito’s Avocado Locco

With the impending approach of those sweltering summer days, it’s time we explore ways to cool ourselves down.

A perennially favorite method of doing so is indulging ourselves with our favorite ice cream flavors. My fam’s preferred flavors happen to include avocado.

Avocados see much use in desserts here in the Philippines. Aside from its creamy richness and distinct flavor, this fruit pairs well with sugars like cane, honey and other sweeteners, resulting in delicious avocado flavored desserts.

To sate the Pinoy’s love for the avocado and avocado-based desserts, Miguelito’s Avocado Locco serves up various tasty iterations of the avocado ice cream at its many stalls in the metro.

I ordered some for my family’s meriend through FoodPanda. These include:

Avocado Oreo (Php110). Avocado ice cream with chopped avocados topped with crushed chocolate cookie crumbs and Miguelito’s special cream.

Nutty Avocado (Php120). Chopped avocados topped with avocado ice cream, sliced almonds and caramel sauce.

Avocado Sago (Php120). Sweetened small pearls and chopped avocados topped with avocado ice cream and Miguelito’s special cream.

Avocado Cheesecake (Php140). Chopped avocados cream cheese and sliced almonds topped with avocado ice cream and caramel sauce.

With these avocado ice cream treats so easily accessible, we’re in for some cool and delicious times this summer!

This Miguelito’s Avocado Locco stall is located at Second Floor, SM City East Ortigas, Ortigas Extension, Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig City.

To keep updated on Miguelito’s Avocado Locco’s latest promos and offers, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Photo credit: Avocado photos by Dominika Roseclay from Pexels

#EatsInTheEast: Pancake House, Sierra Valley

With so much development going on east of Manila, residents and visitors can definitely look forward to beloved restaurant brands making their presence felt in the area.

One such brand is Pancake House which has been serving up comfort food to Pinoys – morning, noon and evening – since the 1970s.

One of its newer branches opened at the gate of Sierra Valley in Cainta, a soon-to-rise real estate development planned to contain a mall and mid-rise condominium.

This makes it an ideal stopover for motorists traversing Ortigas Avenue Extension from Antipolo and Taytay to Cainta and Pasig, and vice versa.

That’s how it was for my fam: on the way back from an errand in Tanay to the metro, we stopped by this Pancake House branch for lunch and enjoyed the restaurant’s offerings such as:

Caesar Salad (Php245). Bacon bits and croutons tossed with crisp salad greens in Caesar Salad dressing and sprinkled with grated parmesan.

Best Taco in Town (Php99). Mexican-seasoned ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion and cheese encase in a crispy taco shell.

Classic Pan Chicken (Php230/2pc). Juicy chicken pieces are fried to a beautiful golden-brown with a satisfying crunch with every bite and accompanied by its unique savory and buttery gravy.

Classic Country Medley (Php310). A filling combo consisting of 2 pieces Classic Pancakes, 2 pieces of Country Sausage and Pineapple Juice.

House Specials Set (Php325). A sulit bundle consisting of Pancake House favorites: a Best Taco in Town, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce and garlic bread and a piece of Classic Pan Chicken with its sIgnature gravy.

Golden Brown Waffle (Php199). A classic waffle cooked to a crispy and delicious golden brown.

Our Pancake House favorites like the Classic Pan Chicken, Caesar Salad and the Best Taco in Town are always a hit with the family, and we enjoyed tasting the unfamiliar dishes.

So, whether you’re a resident of a nearby village or a motorist passing by, you know you can always drop by this Pancake House outlet for a bite or two of delicious comfort food.

This Pancake House branch is located at Sierra Valley, Ortigas Avenue Extension corner Suburban Drive, Cainta, Rizal.

A few steps for my Kapamilyas: #100HakbangSaPagtutulungan

I do realize that I was among the lucky ones last December. When Typhoon Odette wrought devastation in many areas in the Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao regions, I was safely ensconced in my comfy home, preparing for Christmas celebrations with my family.

However, many of my countrymen were laid low by the storm, losing their homes, possession and livelihoods. Two months after Typhoon Odette, more than a million Filipinos are still struggling to get back on their feet.

I’ve contributed to some company-led fund-raisers for my co-workers affected by the storm but I felt that I could probably do some more.

100 steps can help our fellow Filipinos.

Fortunately, SKY, HBO and History Channel joined forces with ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation’s “Tulong-Tulong Sa Pag-Ahon: Isang Daan Sa Pagtutulungan.”

Through their fundraiser, “Isang Daang Hakbang Sa Pagtutulungan: Kapamilya Virtual Run,” I could donate money and do the “100 Hakbang Challenge” to help provide aid to Odette survivors.

Papa Piolo said it best:

Want to join in on the fun and help our Kapamilyas while you’re at it? Here’s how to join:

Step 1: Create a Race Roster account at runrio.com.

Step 2: Donate by scanning any of these QR codes below or via bank transfer to the accounts specified. Take a photo or screenshot of your proof of donation.

Step 3: Register your category, which corresponds to the amount you donated.

100 Steps Challenge: Donate Php100 (to provide a food pack 1kg of rice and two canned goods for one person) or Php400 (to provide 1 5kg of rice and six canned goods for a family)
5K Virtual Run: Donate Php800 or 10K Virtual Run: Donate Php1,200 to provide food packs for more families.

Upon receiving your confirmation email, complete your registration by emailing your proof of donation to info@runrio.com with the subject “Isang Daang Hakbang Donation – Your registered name”. Your E-Bib will be sent to your email within the day.

Step 4: Complete your steps/kilometers from February 5 to 28, 2022. Take a photo or video of yourself accomplishing your 100 steps challenge, and share it on your Facebook or Instagram account using the hashtag #100HakbangSaPagtutulungan (set your post to public). Tag your Kapamilyas, friends, and colleagues so they too can do their part in helping the victims of Typhoon Odette.

For participants doing the 5K/10K Run, use a GPS, fitness-tracking apps, or your smartwatch to record your route and time. Activities can be cumulative.

Step 5: Upload your results to Race Roster. Log in to your account and submit either of the following:

Screenshot of your route
Photo of your treadmill dashboard
Photo of display of app or your fitness watch

Make sure that the date, time, and distance are indicated in your submission. For participants doing the 100 steps challenge, 100 steps are equal to 80 meters.

Step 6: Download your Finisher’s E-Certificate after completing your registered distance.

Are you excited to join? Papa Piolo’s got some more words of encouragement for you…

I’m happy to share that today, I completed my 5K run by sweating it out on my treadmill! This is my first real run after nearly a year of being sedentary. An achievement unlocked for the sake of my health, and, more importantly, to help my fellow Filipinos who are still suffering from the aftermath of Odette to rise up from this current crisis.

So I invite you to join me in taking those steps to help our Kapamilyas. Donate by joining this worthwhile fundraiser.

About the fundraiser

ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation launched “Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-ahon: Isang Daan sa Pagtutulungan,” the second phase of their fund drive for the benefit of Odette survivors. As of January 25, ABS-CBN Foundation has delivered food and basic necessities to a total of 141,634 families in different areas in Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao with the help of the donations. Through the fundraising efforts of the “Isang Daang Hakbang Sa Pagtutulungan,” ABS-CBN and the ABS-CBN Foundation hope to reach out and help more families in need. The campaign’s DSWD Authority/Solicitation Permit No. is DSWD-SB-SP-00026-21, valid nationwide until May 28, 2022.

Every step taken in this Kapamilya Virtual Run is for a good cause. Visit www.mysky.com.ph/100hakbang for more information about this fundraiser.

Fundraising mechanics provided by SKY in a recent press release.

Disclosure: 100 Hakbang sa Pagtutulungan is a project of SKY, the company I work for. I’m happy and proud to support this very good cause.

Koomi’s #GuiltlessGoodness now in my neighborhood!

Considering how much my fam loves Koomi’s yogurt drinks, we have been eagerly awaiting the opening of its newest branch at SM City East Ortigas ever since we found out about it.

Koomi is an Australia-based chain which specializes in combinations of natural probiotic drinking yogurt with various fresh and wholesome ingredients to produce yummy and icy drinks that brings its signature #GuiltlessGoodness to yogurt drink lovers in the metro.

When ordering your Koomi, specify whether you want an Aussie blend (more tangy) or a Filipino blend (more milky) yogurt base. You can also choose the level of sweetness you want.

While we didn’t have the chance to visit the store, getting our drinks delivered to us was easy as can be.

We deviated from the flavors we usually order with these drinks we got via FoodPanda:

ChocNut Ka, Biscoff (Php201). I got myself and Aussie blend of this combo of natural drinking yogurt, ChocNut (the Pinoy favorite nutty candy) and Biscoff cookie butter crumbs blended with natural fruit honey.

I’m Berry Blue Without You (Php196). For hubby, an Aussie Blend from of this fruity combo of natural drinking yogurt and blueberries blended with natural fruit honey.

You’re the Berry Best (Php167). My little boy loves him some strawbs so I got him a Filipino blend this mixture of natural drinking yogurt and strawberries blended with natural fruit honey.

Koomi Be My Valentine (Php165). My daughter, in keeping with this season of hearts, opted for an Aussie blend this Valentine-themed combo of natural drinking yogurt, rose petals and strawberries blended with natural fruit honey, available only until February 16.

Waterberry Wonder (Php161). We treated our yaya to a Filipino blend of this mixture of natural drinking yogurt, watermelon and strawberries blended with natural fruit honey.

Well, now we have proven how easy it is to get our Koomi drinks with a branch right in our neighborhood!

This Koomi branch is located at Ground Floor, SM Cit East Ortigas, Ortigas Avenue, Barangay Sta. Lucia, Pasig City.

Other branches are located at:

Pasig: The Podium, Unimart Capitol Commons
Mandaluyong: SM Megamall
Quezon City: Robinsons Magnolia, Eastwood City Mall, SM North EDSA, Robinsons Galleria, Z Square Mall, Ali Mall, Ayala Vertis North, SM Fairview, Timog Avenue, Mezza Residences, Fisher Mall QC, Hemady Square, White Plains, UP Town Center, Maginhawa
Makati: SM Jazz, Glorietta 4, Salcedo Village
Pasay: SM Mall of Asia, Double Dragon Plaza
Manila: SM San Lazaro, SM Manila, Lucky Chinatown
Taguig; SM Aura, Uptown Mall
San Juan: VMall Greenhills
Muntinlupa: Festival Mall
Las Pinas: SM Southmall
Paranaque: SM City Bicutan, BF Homes
Malabon: Fisher Mall Malabon

Check out my other posts about Koomi:

Come home to delicious homey flavors at House of Lasagna, Katipunan

Find yourself needing a little bit of comfort lately?

How about some good ole’ comfort food, the kind that envelops you in feelings of warmth and familiarity, just like coming home?

Chances are, you won’t have to travel far to treat yourself to delicious comfort food, thanks to House of Lasagna.

Since 2009, House of Lasagna has been serving up these homey flavors, starting from the time when founder Chef Erick Congmon expanded the reach of his homemade creations beyond his family and friends by opening a hole-in-the-wall outlet in J. Abad Santos in San Juan. Today, House of Lasagna has presence in three cities in the metro and one in Lipa, Batangas.

Together with my fellow foodies, I visited House of Lasagna’s main branch along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City to sample some of its celebrated comfort food.

These included:

Truffle Mushroom Lasagna (Php350 single | Php1,240 half tray | Php2,440 whole tray). Of course, our meal included one of House of Lasagna’s namesake dishes. This rich creation is composed of al dente lasagna noodles layered with rich creamy sauce made with shiitake mushrooms and white truffle. A welcome variation of the classic lasagna most of us are familiar with!

Southern Fried Chicken Skin (Php200 single | Php380 party). One of Chef Congmon’s family recipes, this crunchy and crave-worthy appetizer consists of seasoned chicken skin, deep-fried to a delicious golden brown and served with a side of vinegar dip.

Lemon Pepper Flavored Southern Fried Chicken (Php329/6pcs | Php649/12pcs | Php999). Flavorful wing pieces that are crispy and juicy to the bite but with a bit of lemony zing that will make this dish truly memorable

Classic Margherita (Php599). One of House of Lasagna’s stone-baked pizzas, this Neapolitan pizza is made with tomatoes, mozarella cheese and fresh basil. Simple enough when it comes to ingredients but it’s big on flavor and texture thanks to its crispy edges and bottom.

Frozen Brazo Vanilla (Php750 for 8x8x2in tray | Php1,050 for 8x12x2in tray). The classic Brazo de Mercedes dessert gets a makeover, adding a graham cracker crust and a layer of vanilla ice cream to the original custard filling. A decadent treat for dessert lovers!

Ultimate Ube Halaya (Php820 for 6in round | Php1,590 for 9in round). Another homegrown dessert gets upgraded into a decadent pastry which consists of moist ube-flavored sponge cake, a filling made of real ube halaya (jam made of purple yam) and covered with white chocolate truffle frosting.

With such delectable comfort food to be had, you won’t give in to the blues, would you?

Drop by House of Lasagna to treat yourself to its homey goodness! Its branches are located at:

240 Aguirre Ave. BF Homes Paranaque, Paranaque City
218 Katipunan Ave, Project 4, , Quezon City, Metro Manila, Quezon City
3/F Dela Rosa Carpark 2 Bldg., Dela Rosa St. , Brgy. San Lorenzo Legaspi Village Makati, Makati
Ground floor, SM City Lipa Batangas, , Lipa, Batangas

You may also order online through its website, which covers delivery in Metro Manila, Batangas (Lipa, Tanauan, Padre Garcia, Rosario,Cuenca, San Jose, Mataas na Kahoy, Malvar, Sto. Tomas), Cavite (Kawit, Imus, Bacoor), Laguna ( Biñan and San Pedro) and Rizal (Cainta, Taytay, Antipolo, Angono and Binangonan). It accepts payments via GCash, Visa and Mastercard.

To keep updated of its latest promos and offers, follow House of Lasagna on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food-tasting held by this restaurant wherein food items were served at no cost to the attendees to facilitate honest feedback.

6 reasons to staycation with the fam at Jennifer’s Abode, Tagaytay

Summer is just around the corner, and pretty soon, we urbanites will be feeling the heat.

It will be high time to hie ourselves and our fam off somewhere cool for a bit of R ‘n R.

How about a sojourn in chilly and breezy Tagaytay? A staycation in this popular destination would be just the ticket when the mercury rises.

May I recommend a place my extended fam stayed in recently? Jennifer’s Abode just may be your ideal staycation venue in chilly Tagaytay, especially during a time when we need to maintain physical distancing due to the still present threat of the pandemic.

1) It’s within driving distance from the metro.

Located along Raflores Street, Tagaytay Country Homes 1 along the Tagaytay-Calamba Road (near Ayala Malls Serin and Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church), Jennifer’s Abode is an easy two- to three-hour drive from Metro Manila.

The extended fam were able to travel safely and comfortably using our family cars, avoiding the risks entailed when using public transportation. The relatively short driving time also precluded the need for stopovers in crowded areas for meals or bathroom breaks.

2) It has everything the fam needs for a restful break from the metro.

If a relaxing stay is what your family is looking for, there are many opportunities to do just that at Jennifer’s Abode.

You can spend a quiet time taking in the morning sun in its lush garden.

You may also catch up with each other or enjoy family game time in its spacious and comfortably furnished living room.

Take a few steps up the stairs and sit back at the family room for a movie marathon. Here’s a tip: the house’s internet connection is actually strongest here so maximize your browsing or streaming time when you’re hanging out here.

Meal preparations are hassle-free with a kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, a three-burner stove, a microwave oven, a rice cooker and water dispenser, as well as various kitchen implements to help you cook from scratch or reheat your prepared food, as well as clean up after your meals.

You also have the option to visit nearby restaurants and order food for takeout such as our Korean feast from Neul Bolm located a little over three kilometers away.

Jennifer’s Abode — Samgyupsal and Woosamgyup

You may also opt to just order from food delivery services such as our Bulalo dinner from Farmer’s Table which was ordered via FoodPanda.

These meals can be enjoyed family-style in the well-appointed dining room equipped with dinnerware and flatware.

To take your rest during your stay, retreat to the Master’s Bedroom furnished with a double bed and has terrace overlooking the pool and a view of the surrounding pasture.

The second bedroom is a cozy space as well with a canopied double bed and windows that let in the cool breezes.

One of the place’s shared bath is also located in the second floor.

Step up the stairs to the third floor and you will find the attic which is furnished with four single beds laid out dormitory-style.

The attic also includes an extra bedroom with a double bed.

Stepping outside will bring you to a gazebo where you can enjoy the cool Tagaytay breezes.

A small pavilion equipped with a karaoke underneath the gazebo brings the perfect opportunity for you and your companions to rock out and have a great time.

You may also take a dip in the swimming pool and wash up in the house’s second bathroom just up the stairs.

With all the facilities available at Jennifer’s Abode, you and your fam can have fun yet relaxing stay, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

For any concerns you may have about the place, a caretaker lives just beside the house and can be immediately reached for assistance.

3) The family can enjoy the great outdoors in a nearby park

On the other hand, if you are in the mood to venture outdoors, you can take the kids out to the nearby park, also located inside Tagaytay Country Homes 1. Inside this sprawling grassy enclosure which houses various playground equipment such as slides, seesaws and swings, young and old alike can enjoy spending time outside.

4) You can go on a food trip with great al fresco dining options.

You want have to travel far if you want to explore the gastronomic possibilities that Tagaytay has to offer as Jennifer’s Abode is conveniently located near top foodie destinations such as:

Lime and Basil for a delicious taste of authentic Thai cuisine…

… or at Mozu at Ming’s Garden for the delectable comfort of classic homegrown dishes.

5) Nearby attractions provide you with a view of the scenic Taal Lake and Volcano

Tagaytay became a tourist destination because of its scenic views overlooking the Taal Lake and Volcano. Staying at Jennifer’s Abode also places you within easy distance of attractions that provide such views. These include:

The Picnic Grove, where you can go for a walk along an eco-trail…

… or Zoori, where you can take a ride on the cable car or go zip-lining as your take in the view.

6) You have nearby options to shop for supplies and pasalubongs

Should you want to sample the local wares or bring home some pasalubongs for the folks in Manila, you can easily drop by popular shopping destinations such as:

The Mahogany Market located behind the new Tagaytay City Hall where you can shop for fresh meat, produce as well as herbs and flowers for the plantitos and plantitas back home…

… or Rowena’s, with three branches in the Tagaytay area, where you can shop for its famous fruit tarts, buko pie and other pasalubong favorites.

So when are you planning your next staycation in Tagaytay?

Book your stay at Jennifer’s Abode via Airbnb where it is rated an average of 4.46 stars.

For the health and safety of its guests, Jennifer’s Abode is committed to Airbnb‘s five-step cleaning process.

Jennifer’s Abode is located at the end of Raflores Street in Tagaytay Country Homes 1, Maitim 2nd West, Tagaytay City. Check in is after 3pm while checkout is at 11am.

La Germania shares local food-preneurs’ secrets to success

These small food businesses share their biggest advice for surviving and thriving in the pandemic.

For the past two years, Filipinos have seen the rise of home based food businesses. From sweet pastries to hearty dishes, comfort food to artisanal beverages, numerous Filipinos have ventured into the world of entrepreneurship. But what does it take for a food business to succeed amid a global pandemic?

To inspire more Filipinos to build their food businesses, La Germania is launching a video project called Food Babies. Starting this February, La Germania will be releasing special features on food businesses that survived and thrived amid all the challenges thrown their way. This video project will be exclusively available on their Youtube channel and Facebook page. As a preview of the upcoming project, these food businesses spilled some of their secrets to success with La Germania.

Use social media to stand out against competition

Claudia’s (@claudias.ph) is a passion project turned popular online bakeshop that offers chunky and gooey baked cookies and blondies. According to Founder and Owner, Claudia Tagle, business owners must focus on their social media content to stand out against competitors, especially since customers “eat with their eyes”.

“It’s important for you to get those really good shots of your food or the products that you’re selling,” Tagle explained, which involves investing in food photography and social media content. “I do have slower days or slower months, and I think that consistency is key. You just need to learn how to market or promote your products more because your loyal customers will come back.”

She also shared how valuable it is to engage and build relationships with one’s customers. “What really keeps me going is my customer’s feedback, and when they tell me they really enjoy the cookies or the blondies. Getting feedback about what they like and don’t like about your products can help you improve further.”

Believe in your product

Butterboy Bakehouse (@butterboyph) focuses on different kinds of croissants and baked goods to make pastries more affordable and accessible for everyday Filipinos.

Head baker and owner Hilder Demeterio credits his businesses’ wins to two key ingredients. “You should seek knowledge from everywhere, like YouTube videos or classes. You should just try to absorb whatever you can,” he said.

Growing up, Hilder was always a lover of food from a distance. It wasn’t until 2018 that he finally began to experiment with baking after meeting his boyfriend, Jason. An architect by profession, Hilder took lessons from his relatives and sought knowledge online, beating the misconception that you need to be a professional cook to start a successful food business.

Moreover, he believes that it’s important for aspiring foodpreneurs to believe in their products as if they’re the brand’s number one fan. “In the middle of the pandemic, I was 6 months unemployed. I borrowed money from my parents, and I emptied pretty much all of my savings. Pati sa boyfriend ko. So during that time, I took a leap of faith and I bought all my own equipment, tapos ayun, we jumped into the unknown with only the knowledge na ‘I think we have something good here’.”

To aspiring foodpreneurs, it is your faith and confidence in the uniqueness of your products that will help your business survive all the ups and downs of the current landscape!

Cook with passion

For restaurateurs Wendel and Portia Habaluyas, The Purple Wok (@thepurplewok) began as a way to support their loyal kitchen staff who were laid-off due to the pandemic. “These people have been loyal to us for many years now, so it was very painful for us to see them feeling hopeless,” said Portia.

For the power couple behind The Purple Wok, it’s all about following your passion. “The most fun part in running a food business is doing what I love to do. Our recipes were created out of passion. They were made out of love. We’ve perfected the recipes, and we do not compromise the quality of our food,” the couple told La Germania.

As for what advice they would give aspiring entrepreneurs, Wendel says: “Never create a recipe just for a business and just to create money. Especially nowadays, we noticed that Filipinos are willing to pay a premium or extra for good and quality food. If there’s one advice we can give to people who want to start a food business, it is for you to cook with passion and prepare your food with passion.”

These tidbits of wisdom are only some of the valuable lessons viewers can learn from the La Germania Food Babies series. While each featured business owner may have their specialty and recipe for success, what they all have in common is that the most important aspect to your brand’s success is investing in high quality kitchen equipment like La Germania!

Built according to the highest European standards in terms of construction and design, La Germania appliances allow you to prepare a multitude of dishes in an efficient and easy way. With guaranteed durability and superior quality, they’re a good investment for you to bring out your inner foodpreneur and climb the ladder to culinary success.

La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce website www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada. You may follow the trusted kitchen and appliance brand’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts for more information on La Germania and its products.

ABOUT LA GERMANIA

Italian-heritage brand La Germania has been the preferred kitchen companion of Filipino homemakers for 53 years and counting. Its wide array of ovens, cooktops, and stoves is made of high-grade materials and designed to stand the test of time and extensive use. La Germania’s current line of products continues to serve the cooking needs and lifestyle of this generation and the next. To know more about La Germania and its products, visit http://www.lagermaniaph.com. The trusted kitchen partner of Filipinos also has its official stores on Shopee and Lazada.

Details and images provided by La Germania in a recent press release.

Gear up for cooking.

Buy Now

Buy Now

Header Photo by Daria Shetsova of Pexels

This post contains affiliate links.

Whip up a Valentine feast in a jiffy with ready-to-cook dishes from the Max’s Group restos

Want to treat the people you love to something special for Valentine’s Day but don’t want to join the mad rush during this busy holiday?

Not to worry because the Max’s Group’s got your back with its new product line – MGI Kitchen – which consists of well-loved offerings from the Max’s Group restaurants, now ready to cook in your very own kitchen!

That’s right: no tedious preparations necessary and very minimal effort required for you to produce a show-stopping meal for the people you love most during this season of hearts.

These include:

Yellow Cab’s Oven Toaster Pizza Box.

My little boy’s favorite Pepperoni Pizza, already pre-made and placed in a box. All we needed to do is pop it into the oven for three to five minutes and it’s ready in all its cheesy and pepperoni goodness for my little pizza monster to enjoy!

Max’s Fried Chicken Box.

Who would have thought that my fam and I can feast on my well-loved Max’s classic sarap to the bones fried chicken just by heating these pieces up in the oven for ten minutes? Paired with steamed rice and a bit of banana ketchup on the side, it’s absolutely delish!

Pancake House’ Spaghetti Sauce.

That party fave just got a whole lot easier to make with Pancake House’ signature spaghetti sauce already prepared and packed. All we needed to do is to heat it up in the microwave for three minutes, ladle on to our noodles, add lots of cheese, and then serve!

Teriyaki Boy’s Teriyaki Chicken

Chicken teriyaki is the fusion of so many flavors: the savory, the sweet and the bit of gingery spice all come together to create a dish that appeals to so many people, especially to my fam! The best thing is, I can easily whip up this dish by pan-grilling Teriyaki Boy’s packed Chicken Teriyaki for ten minutes while basting it with its teriyaki sauce, then serving it garnished with chopped green onions.

Dencio’s Krispy Sisig

The sisig has long been a mainstay in many a Pinoy’s hapagkainan and my family’s is no exception. We prefer ours with ultra-crispy finely chopped bits of pork jowl liberally flavored with minced onions but with a hint of creaminess that makes it perfect when paired with lots and lots of rice, just like how Dencio’s does its Krispy Sisig. To bring this homegrown favorite to my family’s table, all I had to do was saute the contents of the pack on a pan together with its sauce until it attains the crispiness we prefer, then serve it topped with a sunny side up egg.

With these ready-to-cook packs from MGI Kitchen, serving up my love to the fam in the form of good food is super easy!

You can buy these at selected outlets of SM Supermarket/Hypermarket/Savemore, Robinsons Supermarkets, Waltermart, Shopwise, The Marketplace, Puregold, AllDay, Gaisano Market and at Max’s Restaurants, with prices starting at Php350.

Stock up on these ready-to-cook products so you too can just as easily whip up a feast for your fam to enjoy this Valentine’s Day, or any occasion!

Disclosure: Product samples were provided to facilitate this feature story.

HBO GO’s new thriller The Girl Before premieres February 10

From creator, author and executive producer JP Delaney (The Perfect Wife, Playing Nice), the new original limited series The Girl Before debuts same time as the U.S with all four episodes on Thursday, February 10 exclusively on HBO GO.

The Girl Before tells the story of Jane (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who gets the chance to move into a beautiful, ultra-minimalist house designed by an enigmatic architect (David Oyelowo). There’s just one catch: the occupants must abide by his list of exacting rules. Jane starts to feel the house changing her in unexpected ways, but when she makes the shocking discovery about her predecessor, Emma (Jessica Plummer), she’s forced to confront unnerving similarities. As the two women’s timelines interweave, Jane begins to question if her fate will be the same as the girl before.

The four-part psychological thriller stars Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Loki, The Morning Show) who also debuts as associate producer, Golden Globe®, BAFTA, and Emmy®-nominated actor David Oyelowo (Selma, Les Misérables), Jessica Plummer (EastEnders, How To Talk To Girls At Parties), and Ben Hardy (Bohemian Rhapsody, X-Men: Apocalypse).

Adapted by Delaney from his own global best-selling novel of the same title which sold more than a million copies since publication in 2016, The Girl Before is written and executive produced by Delaney with Marissa Lestrade (White Stork, Deep State 2) as co-writer of episodes. It is directed by Emmy-nominated Lisa Brühlmann (Killing Eve, Servant, Blue My Mind), who also executive produces.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

SKYcable subscribers can activate HBO GO via Lazada

CLICK HERE

Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now. Get your priority pass.

CLICK HERE

Details, video and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

This post contains affiliate links.