What’s culinary boutique you may ask? At first I had no idea myself until I was inside one a few days ago. As I went around checking the place, I was glad that finally there’s a place in Iloilo City where “gastronomy” goes beyond eating.
“A culinary boutique is a place where one can do a lot of things related to food” answers Jet Yap Jiz when I asked her about the concept of her business venture. “Just like what our tagline says, Ilonggos can cook, shop, eat and share things related to food under one roof – inside my Happy Kitchen” she says.
And she shared what inspired her, where she got the idea, how it all came to be and when it all started. She used to be the publisher of Iloilo Premiere magazine that gave her almost “stressful days and sleepless nights” at times, beating the deadline and the like. “My doctor then told me to take a rest after it took a toll on my health” she says.
“With more time in my hands, I got to enjoy more things and watching the reality TV series Hell’s Kitchen was among them” she shares. “The show was so addicting, though I don’t totally agree on how the chef/host Gordon Ramsay handles the kitchen and his ‘trainees’”.
But this rekindled her interest more as she turned to her other passion – to cook.
COOK
It is more than a hobby or just something to pass time – she really loves cooking! “I often concoct recipes and let my family taste it – if it’s good I try to make it even better but if not, it’s back to experimentation” she shares.
Then she decided to professionalize this passion and enrolled at Academy for International Culinary Arts in Manila (AICA) months ago. “There I knew not only ins and outs of cooking but the tips and tricks of running a food service.”
After that, she decided on the business side of her passion. She envisioned, foremost, a restaurant that would serve foods close to her heart and to that of the Ilonggos. Further more, she was inspired to create a place where the kitchen is accessible and a place where one can actually do some cooking - away from home.
“Happy Kitchen is also a culinary studio (by day) where cooking sessions and sponsored food demos can be held” she explains. “It’s a culinary playground where chefs, culinary students and enthusiasts can rent our kitchen (by the hour) with everything included (gadgets, utensils, fuel, etc), provided they just bring their own ingredients.”
Also during this period she was able to amass kitchen gadgets to go with her cooking at the same time knew a lot of suppliers and the details of the trade that she decided to have another element – where customers can also shop.
SHOP
“The retail component is named Friend of Chefs so there’s no competition here” she says with a laugh. She shares she doesn’t want to compete with more establish restaurateurs but complement them by giving them a place where they can get their needs and source their goods.
The “boutique shop” concept brings together a wide range of international food and cooking products. Looking at the goods I mostly found some cooking utensils, gadgets and other kitchen wares any cooking enthusiast would be interested in. I was particularly interested on the ceramic knives displayed.
“We also have chefs uniforms and literature plus a baker’s corner with utensils, materials and ingredients used for baking, which we got from suppliers in Manila and outside the country” she informs.
And one can easily get lost with the array of these ingredients (used for baking) from flavoured chocolates like blueberry and pandan to the candy trimmings that look like beads shining like silver and gold used for cake decorations.
They also have repackaged pistachios, walnuts, and other nuts plus a ready to eat mix of dried fruits and nuts for those looking for healthy munch. I even enjoyed the aroma of dried vanilla beans and thought of many ways of using them at home.
All these made me hungry but I did not worry since primarily, this is a place to eat.
EAT
I thought it was just a typo error seeing the sign that says “Open from 6pm to 8am” but actually the diner is on a graveyard shift. And looking at the simple menu gives one a sense of comfort as they serve familiar foods and Ilonggo delicacies all night long.
“Almost all the dishes served are from my personal recipe collection – at home and those I learned during my training” she says. “Plus my kitchen staff also came up with recipes of their own that we eventually got my approval”.
A couple of appetizers, pork kilawin and banana blossoms in coconut milk, started my gastronomic journey. The calamansi-based kilawin had a very appetizing dressing with hints of salted egg and lots of spices that also makes a perfect viand. The puso ng saging has the familiar home made goodness of a gata-based kilawin.
“And it’s not too early nor too late to have breakfast and dinner for we serve full meals all throughout the night” she says. Indeed there’s a lot to choose from, from home made Ilonggo longganisa, danggit and fish sausage (as breakfast combos) to Pork Chili Adobo, Spicy Pork Sisig, Bistek Tagalog and Beef in red, spicy and creamy sauce.
Among the home grown Ilonggo dishes served is the Native Chicken Linagpang - a hot and spicy soup made with grilled native chicken flavoured with onions, chilies, etc. The perfect choice for perking up those groggy during the night or those that had too much to drink. They also have chicken tinola and arroz caldo to warm the tummy.
There are also breads, sandwiches and salads to choose from with drinks ranging from coffee and to soda and beer. I particularly loved their iced tea which is the closest to my ultimate favorite iced tea – the one from Wendy’s.
“To ensure the quality and freshness of our food, we make a new batch everyday and what’s left after closing never stays inside the fridge” she proudly shares.
SHARE
Finally, why “Happy Kitchen” I asked. “Cooking and working with food is somewhat a reflection of one’s personality” she answers. “And I constantly strive to create dishes which are the best that they can possibly be and it is my pleasure to create meals of the highest quality and taste for my family, friends and clients.”
“I believe that food should be prepared honestly in order to achieve superior taste” she finishes. “And I do all these in a positive atmosphere, the right attitude and with a cheerful heart - exactly opposite of the reality TV show I was obsessed with, thus a Happy Kitchen.”
Happy Kitchen is located at the Amigo Plaza mall near the parking area.The Friend of Chefs boutique is open from 9am to 8pm, the Culinary Studio from 9am to 5pm (requires reservation) and the Diner from 6pm to 8am.