Four resilient SF Bay Area Filipino restaurateurs honored
Awardees, guests and officers of the SF Filipino Chamber of Commerce at the awards-business mixer at San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center. CONTRIBUTED
SAN FRANCISCO – Four Fil-Am restaurateurs were honored by the San Francisco Filipino American Chamber of Commerce at its Business Mixer on May 4 during the 18th Annual San Francisco Small Business Week.
The awards were given at the newly re-opened San Francisco Filipino Cultural Center on Mission Street. The President’s Award, better known as the Trailblazer Award, was given to four establishments that have overcome startup woes and other stumbling blocks during the pandemic through their resilience and perseverance.
Jose Pecho, SFFACC Chairman told awardees, “Your story is truly inspiring, and we’re honored and proud of your efforts to be a model and example of the 2022 Trailblazers Award. Your absolute desire and love for what you do is obvious, and we thank you for being part of a wonderful celebration.”
Awardees “The Sarap Shop” co-owner JP Reyesa nd Michelle Domingo of Delish Cravings by Michelle in Stockton, California. CONTRIBUTED
The Chamber’s spotlight this year was on the food industry. What may have started as “thinking outside the box” in supplementing a family’s income became a renaissance movement.
The awardees were Irma Chingcuangco of Irma’s Pampanga Restaurant, who pioneered in Filipino cuisine in the 1980s. A domestic violence survivor, she took care of her family while founding her fledgling restaurant in the Mission District. Despite a fire that closed her place for a few years, she re-opened mid-pandemic and remains the go-to-place for comfort-food in the community.
Abacá Restaurant, Bar and Panaderia, owned by Chef Francis and Dian Ang, is a bakeshop during the day and a fine dining area in the evening. It is the first-ever Filipino restaurant in San Francisco that caters to high-end clientele. Located at the Kimpton-Alton Hotel by Fisherman’s Wharf, it has won a following among tlocals and tourists alike with its exquisitely prepared contemporary Filipino cuisine. Abacá opened in August last year.
Delish Cravings by Michelle (Domingo) is in Stockton, California. A former critical care unit nurse, Michelle stayed home during the pandemic to care of her two young children. Her husband is also a nurse, but she wanted to help make ends meet. She started cooking her family Ilocano recipes, including Ilocano-style empanadas, which became a hit among friends who encouraged her to join festivals. Not long after, she opened her fast-food stand at the Weberstown Mall on April 1, 2022.
“The Sarap Shop” is owned by partners Kristine Brillantes and JP Reyes who proudly invite their customers to “visit their history-making (food) stand” at the Golden State Warriors Chase Center Arena inside the United Club. They also have a food truck at Parklab Gardens with lots of outdoor seating, and a mini golf course, to boot. They boast that their “cuisine is proof that Filipino American food can be light on meat and still heavy on flavor.”
Jose Pecho hailed the awardees: “Your impact on our community is appreciated and we can’t wait for what the future holds for your business and yourselves.”
Awardee Irma Chingcuangco of Irma’s Pampanga Restaurant (left) and Chamber board member Pearl Parolee accepting for Abaca restaurant. CONTRIBUTED
At the SFFACC Business Mixer, Filipino cuisine was served by a collective of several vendors called “Kitakeats” (a play on the Tagalog word “kita-kita,” meaning to see each other) The group served different specialties during the pandemic, which allowed those who had either lost their jobs or had life-changing events new paths to move on.
“KitaKeats” is composed of Cuzina ni Darna, Fely Siomai, Kusina ni Javen at Jesel, Gim Belly, Tapa Papa, Eatsalicious, Mai Golden Sans Rival and Sweet Pipers. Owners were mentees of Pearl Parmelee, better known as “Tita Pearl” by the Bay Area Filipino food afficionados, who was also SFFACC Event Chair at the Mixer.
To complete a truly Filipino food experience, Calamansi Pilsner Beer from the Alameda Island Brewing, owned by Richard Angeles, was served, along with cocktails using tropical fruit juices of pineapple and mango mixed with multi-awarded internationally renowned Filipino Rum, Tanduay.
Other Sponsors were! Wee Asian & Hispanic Groceries, Cliqbux, Chase, Authentic 415, and Shryne Group Inc.
SFFACC Board Officers are CJ Abad, President; Aaron Orcino, Vice President; Lorna Dietz, Secretary; Yvonne Go, Treasurer. Board Directors are Rudy Asercion, Esther Chavez, Cris Ibarra, Esq., John Juan, Ben Menor, Pam Santos, and Pearl Parmelee.
