For this fourth installment of Food in the Time of COVID19, I am pleased to present so many of my friends and family’s small business along side some bigger and more familiar food and beverage businesses that we have tried. The one thing everyone has in common? Bringing what we love into Filipino homes in a safe and fun way for us to enjoy with our families.
Food in the Time of COVID19 Part 4
Chow Ciao
This dining concept is the brain child of Chef Josh Boutwood and The Bistro Group. Really based on the understanding that so many of us enjoy take out and delivery here in BGC, it has the perfect combination of friend chicken ( we all know this is a Pinoy favorite) and Pizza!
Chow Ciao launched just a a bit after quarantine, and have the right idea, because, well, we simply aren’t dining in as of yet…
The kids LOVED all the wings, pizza, and mac and cheese. I loved that Chef Josh chose to use cavatappi for the macaroni dishes. It reminded me of my nana, and of home.
View this post on Instagram
Effiengood
My friend Effie and I met during the filming of my first tv commerical. She is an amazing make up artist and has been known to work with some of the biggest personalities in media and television.
To say that everyone in this industry had to pivot is an understatement. When everything was put on hold, photographers, cinematographers, stylists and people involved in the beauty of making magic through these mediums had to dig deep, turn around and assess, and then dive into what they did before this industry became their livelihood, or figure out something completely new.
Effie has always loved spending time in the kitchen, and as her dishes were being asked for by friends, family, and neighbors, she saw an opportunity to share her kitchen goodness with others, while supplementing her income. Hence Effiengood was born.
And yes, the name is apropos. I will say, this cheesy peppery shrimp dish is delicious on its own, but is even better when served atop creamy polenta.
View this post on Instagram
Tina’s Quirky Kitchen
When Anj from Zenutrients says, “You gotta try this,” you happily oblige. Tina’s Quirky Kitchen creates ooey gooey pineapple goodness with her Caramel Pineapple Cake that comes in two sizes.
It reminds me of sticky toffee pudding, but with a sweet fruity flair, that of course, kept us all saying, “I’ll just have one more piece,” until it was all gone. I had to learn how to put limits on myself by only ordering the smaller size so that we would delay gratification when eating it. Otherwise we would eat it all in one sitting!
View this post on Instagram
Just Good Stuff Ph
Another set of parents that I know because of the blessing of an extra chromosome, Chips and Akiko Guevara and Nino and I came together because of our daughters. Their daughter, Sachiko, has been a bright light in bringing them into the special needs community and has provided opportunities for Akiko to take on the role of Chairwoman of Special Olympics Pilipinas.
But being like minded parents, we also know that what we put into our kiddos’ tummies is just as important as the opportunities we provide for them to be included.
Just Good Stuff came out of Chips’ desire to serve better sausage to his kids and provide others with the opportunity to do the same. No preservatives. No fillers. Just Good Stuff. Check them out on IG!
View this post on Instagram
Pria’s Kitchen
Food nourishes the body, as God’s word nourishes the soul. – Pria
I fell in love with everything Pria’s Kitchen had to offer because of this tagline.
Yes. But it’s not just the tagline guys. Everything I have tasted from Pria’s Kitchen has filled my belly and made my heart happy. Pria makes things easy for a momma like me, who likes quality ingredients but shortcuts that are easy.
She takes orders for weekend dinners (not on Sunday-that’s The Lord’s Day.) and can provide your family with food trays, and more. I have yet to try her turkey dinner, but that’s next on our list, because my sissy loves turkey.
Some of my favs include her frozen Italian Sausage, frozen Chorizo Rosa, her holiday Chocolate Almond Buttercrunch. PLUS-now you can also order from her ala carte menu on demand, or visit her location in BGC! (It’s walkable from One Serendra!)
View this post on Instagram
Dough & Grocer
Alyanna Uy and her family are behind so many of the restaurants and food concepts that we all know and love. Nino and I fell in love with Epilogue when it first opened in SMaison, and we were loyal customers visiting not just with our family, but when we would want to steal away for a date night as well.
Dough & Grocer is Alyanna’s answer to the discerning foodies of Metro Manila who enjoy fresh produce from Europe, butter from France, and Wagyu beef from Japan. D & G has a long list of specialty products for the most sophisticated palates, and can create gift boxes, celebration kits, and holiday presents for friends, families, and VIP’s on your lists of people to remember.
Plus, it’s right across the street from Prologue. So you can have your meal (make sure to order Polenta Fries) and then place your order for your take home products before you go!
View this post on Instagram
Confection Your Honor
This small bake shop was born out of a husband and wife team who enjoy spending time in the kitchen as well the court room. Established in 2018, this lawyer duo can offer sweet treats that include timeless favorites like carrot & peanut butter cupcakes, and lemon pound cake, too.
But that’s not all they offer! In a time when so many people are on no-sugar, low carb diets, they have also been featured as a bake shop that does not forget their Keto customers too!
This is perfect for me now, since I started my Keto journey!
View this post on Instagram
Las Flores
This Spanish restaurant is just one of quite a few of my favorites in this food group. I especially loved their newer location when it opened in Salcedo Village. This was after years of visiting their BGC location and ordering the same things all the time because my sissy loves the same dishes that I do.
I am longing for the days when we can sit outside and enjoy paella straight from the kitchen again. Hopefully, soon…
View this post on Instagram
Yaya Lola
Yaya Lola is a homegrown brand that was born out of the love of good food made for little ones with a little extra. My friend Kat Guidotti Stehmeier, created this line with her very own Yaya in mind. When food is prepared with love, it is the best combination.
A collaboration with Sinfully Sabrina birthed, Stromboli Bread stuffed with hearty meatballs, chicken and waffles, and chocolate zucchini cookies. You can always look for her veggie loaded mac and cheese, chicken poppers, and grass fed meatballs, and gluten free tocino.
Yaya Lola may have gone on to meet Our Heavenly Father, but her loving legacy lives on through Kat and the home grown love that she brings into all of our homes.
View this post on Instagram
Coocakes
Sabrina Go and I met years ago in a blogging event that centered around food. Funny enough, because we knew that the other cooked and enjoyed spending time in the kitchen, the first time we got together, we did just that.
Through Mothers Who Brunch, we began sharing that love of food and family friend products and ideas with other women who might have thought that kitchen tasks seemed daunting. I miss the time we spent in the kitchen prior to the pandemic. My inaanak was born when the pandemic started and I still have yet to hold him!!
But one thing is for sure, I am cheering Sabrina on from my own kitchen, as I watch her create dish after dish, treat after treat, that people all over the metro are enjoying. From boquerones, to ice cream, to deliciously rich Coocakes with another dear friend, Maggie Agustin, from The Little Whisk.
View this post on Instagram
I have been trying to catch up and write all about these small and larger food purveyors so that I can find my groove after what feels like years of putting this blog on hold. That doesn’t mean that I have not had so many things I have wanted to share with all of you, quite the contrary, in fact.
I just have had trouble finding how to write about all of it. SO many emotions and revelations have swept over me the last year. It’s been a year where I know SO MANY OF US, have had these life changing moments and opportunities for growth. It’s uncomfortable. Not easy to process, and of course, if we think about it, discomfort means growth…
GROWTH IS GOOD.
CHANGE IS GOOD.
Team Gellibean is yet again, so grateful, for all the opportunities to be the first to try out some of these kits and dishes which have made us all very happy while we #StayAtHome.
Stay tuned for a fifth (YES A FIFTH!) Food in the time of COVID19 list, of different ways to enjoy our favorite foods and baked goods at home! Are you sick of seeing these dishes? Have they made you hungry? Do you want more? Hello, hello, please let me know!
Do you have something that you tried and think is worthy of our new Food in the Time of COVID19 series? Leave a comment below so we can order and try!
