The other day, my NFF (New Found Friend) Jane, asked me if Gia might be interested in learning about a new cooking class that was being offered by a friend of hers. Her friend, Ut, has a bakery that is quite close to our homes called Manna.
Thanks Jane for allowing me to “borrow” some of your pictures!
Ut has had the bakery for more than a couple of years already, but really, her line of businesses that she owns are all different in nature. I was intrigued to learn about one such business that caters to Filipinos that are overseas and would like to send gifts to their friends and family back home.
Screen shot of Speed Regalo home page. Click on the pic for a link to go to the website.
Speed Regalo is a great click and pay website where you can order pretty much anything and everything to send for birthdays, anniversaries or just every day reminders to the family that is left behind when you required to go abroad for your careers.
I had a great time with Jane. She introduced me to Manna Bakery owner, Ut Rafael. We are pictured here with Ut and Chef Aof Thammaphan who is the head chef for Kafe Yen. Kafe Yen offers Thai cuisine at affordable prices.
But I digress from the title of the post…
Manna is a bakery, but differs from most other bakeries you may know of. Because of the location and crowd that is prevalent in the area, if you would like to enjoy their freshly baked goods that are delivered daily, it’s best to visit in the afternoon. Ut explained to us that all of the baked goods come from a bigger location where all the baking is done-deliveries are received when the bakery/cafe business picks up, which is about three or four in the afternoon.
Chef Dino holding the sandwiches that the kids made. He helped the children navigate their way in the kitchen by teaching them simple dishes that they can prepare on their own.
Aside from offering cafe type food and baked goods, Ut invited Jane and I to her place so that we could learn more about a new service she is exploring. Together with Chef Dino, who is the Executive Chef at Brasserie Boheme, Manna will now offer cooking classes.
Gia shows off her pizza that she made. Each student was able to make three different dishes that parent and child can then enjoy for lunch afterwards.
While the classes seemed a bit easy for my star student Gia, I know that it was more about the experience and making new friends with Jane and Jenna since this was our first Mom & Daughter date together.
Nachos that the kids were able to make together. Jane and I were snacking on this while the kids completed the pizza and sandwich making activity.
The kids were able to make Nachos, Pizza, and sandwiches together. Chef Raymar Reyes led the workshop offering answers to the kids’ questions, and demonstrating the ease with which you can move around in the kitchen, IF you find it fun.
Chef Reymar explaining the mechanics of making pizza dough.
This was when I was sure to tell Gia to make sure that she was paying attention despite her knowledge of our making dough together at Casa Aventajado. We love having pizza parties with our very good friends, so Gia and I have enjoyed making fresh pizza dough at home. I have always stressed the fact (to my kids) that you can learn something new from someone else, despite your own understanding of the topic at hand.
See? Gia and I never knew that you could peel garlic with ease simply by letting it sit in water for a minute or two. It has always annoyed me to peel garlic (part of the reason why I let yaya peel the garlic beforehand) because the skin sticks to my fingers.
Aliyah, Gia, and Jenna all had a great time spending time together, while Jane and I enjoyed snapping pics and chatting away during their cooking class.
If you would like to learn more about Manna Bakery and Cafe and the summer classes that they are offering for kids, check out their Facebook page, follow them on Instagram or give them a call. (358-5271) This schedule might now be obsolete because it took a week for me to publish this, but you can get an idea of what is being offered, and inquire on available classes that are current.
Thanks Jane for supplying me with the schedule for the classes!
Thanks Jane and Jenna, for including Gia and I on this cooking adventure!
Dear Michelle. I like the sound of NFF.. but I’m hoping that in time it will become BFF in Jena’s case & mine with the lovely Aventajado ladies. :)) We love you gals so much, and we are so happy we have found precious gems in our midst. Thank YOU for coming with me even though Gia was over-qualified haha. Waiting was so much bearable because I had you to talk with. <3 Hoping for many double dates in the future either with the girls or with the hubbies. Love you! :-*
Aw Jane! I know that we will have so much fun together:-) I think that this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship not just for us-but also one that will extend to the rest of the family as well! Mwah!
Love it! I love my granddaughter! I can’t wait to see you Gianina!
Aw, Dad. We can’t wait till you and Mom come back to Manila! Please hug Mom from all of us. Let’s face time later!