Phlavor Profiles

In this episode Phlavor travelled to Nevada for a Pinoy feast! Social Media personality and food artist, Greggy Soriano, opens his home and crock pot for a small get-together that's long overdue. He recounts his time on the East Coast, studying at the CIA, creating extravagant cakes for socialites and what made him come back home to the West Coast.     00:09:37         "Young Americans" social club and state performances   00:23:12          "CAKE BOSS" audition   00:36:00           Producing content for YouTube and Social Media   00:46:24           "its chocolate meat", STFU   00:53:30           What does Filipino food and culture mean to you?    @greggysoriano @itsphlavorprofiles @cakeboss @foodnetwork @marygrantthefilipina

Phlavor Profiles is in the San Francisco area. We sat down with Chel Gilla, Co-Owner of TSELOGS Filipino Restaurant in San Francisco and Daly City. Chel describes a chance encounter with a classmate in the Philippines that inspired her life's purpose.      00:08:00     life in the Philippines     00:19:30     "be consumed by a purpose" and Meryl Lynch     00:32:00      Affordable lunch, word of mouth marketing, everyone gets a raise     @tselogs  @itsphlavorprofiles @chelgilla    

This week Phlavor Profiles visits the Los Angeles home office of Spread the Love Foods. Co-Owner Val Fishbain sits down to chat about her days in Social Services, blogging and how her wedding favors became her first food product.      10:00   Therapy, Social Work and Burnout     16:00    Hawaiian Inspiration, Definition of "Healthy" and Goop     20:00     Vitamix, Nut Butter, Wedding Favors     44:00      Pandemic, Sales and E-Commerce      @spreadthelove @saltandstraw @amazon @itsphlavorprofiles @gelsonsmarkets  

Phlavor Profiles visits with Lord Maynard Llera aka Kuya Lord.  We discuss his younger years in the Philippines and why he felt like moving to the United States would force him to grow up. Maynard also discusses leveling up in the restaurant/hospitality industry, his passion for "his" Filipino food and how a garage pop up saved his sanity and provided for his family during the pandemic.     15:00   Filipino food in the Philippines vs Filipino food in the United States   30:00   Age, Maturity, Experience and curveballs in the hospitality industry   42:00   Were you always “Kuya Lord”?   52:00   Filipino food is thriving.     @kuyalord_la @itsphlavorprofiles @bestiadtla @badsaintdc @applepodcasts @spotify

Today Phlavor Profiles is getting our caffeine fix on in "The Bay".  We sit with Corazon Padilla, QC the at Andytown coffee and "Relationship Coordinator" for Kalsada, a company based in the Philippines.  Corazon describes the goals of Kalsada Coffee and it's relationship to farmers and describes her initial search for community and connection which she found in coffee.    07:30    Reno, Diplomacy, Identity   19:00    Quality Control for Andytown Roasters and coffee in the Philippines   31:00     Who are the "gate keepers" for coffee?    41:07      How does Filipino food and culture make you feel?    @kalsada @andytownsf @cOrazy @itsphlavorprofiles @applepodcasts @podbean  

In this episode, Phlavor Profiles is in Long Beach CA.  We sit down with Tomas De Los Reyes, the West Coast Brand Ambassador for Don Papa Rum, a liquor company based in Manila.  Listen to this industry rep describe a trip to the Philippines which lead to his current role as Brand Ambassador for Don Papa rum, single-island batched rum from “Sugarlandia”.    07:20            “I was a shop boy”   13:25             Who started Don Papa Rum   24:40             A brand ambassador helps influence sales   35:00             You can buy it direct on the website   www.phlavorprofiles.com @donpaparum @tomasmoves @itsphlavorprofiles @spotify @podbean

In this episode we visit social media personality Keto Ass Bih aka Desiree Frederickson.  It's been 2 years(2019) since we bumbled with the Bee… She tells us about her current keto lifestyle, Filipino family time with Husbih (Kevin), Tito Bih (her dad), all the other characters of her life and what collaborations are in her future.     07:10             What is #filiketofriday ?   13:00             Social Media Platforms and real issues   19:00             Keto Ass Bih, “The Series”   27:00             Company collaborations: “some people might like it”.   39:00             Caldereta, that shit is timeless.                 www.phlavorprofiles.com @ketoassbih @itsphlavorprofiles @spotify @podbean

Phlavor Profiles is in the San Francisco Bay area, at Trellis Co-Working Space, to interview Gina Mariko Rosales, Co-Founder of Undiscovered SF. In this episode we get all the details about the organization/night market, we learn what and where SOMA Pilpinas is and we listen to what Gina thinks the next generation of Filipinos has to offer.        00:07:00      "i hella connected to being Filipino"     00:15:14      "I never saw myself as being a part of that community"     00:26:00        Favorite part of Undiscovered SF     00:29:00       Would Undiscovered SF continue if I wasn't around?      www.phlavorprofiles.com   https://www.instagram.com/itsphlavorprofiles/   https://www.instagram.com/undiscoveredsf/   https://www.instagram.com/trellisworkspace/   https://www.instagram.com/marygrantthefilipina/  

Our first interview with Ray Yaptinchay and Jay Tugas took place in 2019. The guys were gearing up to transition from food truck operators to restaurateurs. In this interview, we catch up with the duo inside their Los Angeles restaurant to talk opening the doors, closing the doors, pandemic survival and customer service expectations.      00:05:00        Were people ready for your Filipino food concept?   00:10:00         Were people embracing their Filipino identity more, after the George Floyd murder?   00:15:00         The service industry and customer service   00:20:30         Customer complaints during a pandemic    by/gift stuff: www.phlavorprofiles.com   get in touch https://www.instagram.com/itsphlavorprofiles/   thanks to: https://www.instagram.com/spoonandporkla/  

Adrienne  Borlongan is the co-founder of Wanderlust Creamery. We talk about her life before the ice cream business, what shop inspired her and how she became the creative director of this So Cal hot spot.      00:06:00      Immigration and Stability   00:13:00      Debut Flavors: sticky mango and Paulo Santo Mint Chip   00:21:30      Filipino flavor profiles   00:29:00      "you dont get to call yourself Filipino"   Get in touch: IG @phlavorprofiles.com www. phlavorprofiles.com

Dr. Ray Mangune owner and operator of Gerry's grill was our second interview on the podcast. This season we talk about surviving the pandemic, what Filipino pride looks like today,  in the woke era and why he considers Gerry's Grill is a Filipino food institution.   00:06:00          News of the Corona Virus and a possible pandemic 00:16:30          Chinese people don't invite people to eat Panda Express 00:27:20          Balut and the stigma of Fear Factor 00:37:00          Vegan Filipino Food and carbon footprint Get in touch: IG @itsphlavorprofiles www.phlavorprofiles.com

Ginger Dimapasok was our first podcast guest back in 2017. In this episode, post-pandemic, we listen to her plans for a CAFÉ 86 expansion, what the health crisis revealed about friends & family and the the surprise gift she got from it.   00:06:00          Baked Goods at Café 86 00:14:15          Boba is essential to some people 00:21:50          Don't be ashamed to ask for help (in the business community) 00:29:00          Next trip to the Philippines, the motherland Get in touch: IG @itsphlavorprofiles www.phlavorprofiles.com  

  This season we catch up with some of our past favorite guests including Cafe  86, Gerry's Grill, Spoon & Pork and Keto Ass Bih.   Our interviews also include some new favorites: Wanderlust Creamery, Greggy Soriano, Tselogs, Don Papa Rum, Undiscovered SF, Kalsada, Kuya Lord and Spread The Love  We find out how everyone is doing, how they coped during the pandemic and what lessons they learned.  

This week we sit down with Desiree Frederickson, aka Keto Ass Bih! Mrs. Bih tells Phlavor about her journey to get her mind and body right on the gram and “In Real Life". This fly Pinay keeps it 100 about being a wife, mom and lover of Filipino food.

This week Phlavor sits down with restaurateur Lem Balagot. Lem chats with host Karena Higgins about his time at the historic Manila Hotel, how he changed the food game at Philippine Airlines and why he opened LA Rose, a Filipino restaurant, in the middle of Hollywood California. 

Phlavor Profiles sits down with Chef Educator Aileen Suzara. The Sariwa Kitchen creator tells host, Karena Higgins, about her journey as an Environmentalist to teacher and why re-branding her pop up made a huge difference in the “legitimacy” of her pop-ups.  

In this week’s episode, Phlavor Profiles host Karena Apollony Ebora Higgins sits with JR Martin, owner of Tatang. They chat about his global search for his identity, his reluctance to cook Filipino food and who helped bring him full circle. 

This episode features Cool Haus Co-Founder Freya Estreller. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Freya and Karena meet up in Koreatown to discuss life growing up in Los Angeles, the “F” truck and the skills needed to be an Entrepinay.   

On this episode Phlavor Profiles visits Food photographer, Rezel Kealoha, at her home in Walnut Creek, CA. They discuss her job, her travels as a Server Tech for Visa Credit Card company, pregnancy health, sweaty selfies on Instagram and a recipe for refined Halo Halo.       

Baked Dessert Bar Owner Abby Declaro describes her journey from nursing to small business owner.  Host, Karena Higgins, and Abby discuss Costco cakes, side hustles and Filipino-ization. Abby also tells us why kids parties are the best forums for word of mouth marketing.   

Spoon & Pork LA co-owners Ray Yaptinchay and Jay Tugas sit with host, Karena Apollonya Ebora Higgins, to tell their Filipino food story. The dynamic duo briefly describe life in the Philippines, what brought them to the United States and why they decided to try Filipino food as a business.   

In this episode, we kick it with the multi-talented singer, song-writer and actress, Mary Grant, This military brat gets candid about the advantages and disadvantages of her Filipino American identity, the acting role that was made for her and how a video parody, connected Ms. Grant to the world.  Phlavor Profiles is up next.

In this episode, we sit down with Romeo Garcia, Owner of Romeo Chocolates in Long Beach. We discuss how his passion for social justice plays a big role in his business and why the Philippines has so much to offer the global community. Phlavor Profiles is next.

On our next episode of Phlavor Profiles, Romeo Garcia, owner of Romeo Chocolates in Long Beach CA, describes how taking a few courses in chocolate making switched his career path as an established educator to a globally inspired chocolatier. Stay Tuned, FULL EPISODE next week!  

In this episode of Phalvor Profiles, Filipino Food On The Table: Blogette Maryanne Cabrera takes us to culinary school. She outliines her journey from aspiring attorney to sans rival baker, slash calamansi shaker and professional picture taker.  Stay tuned. Phlavor Profiles is next.

On the next episode of Phlavor Profiles: Maryanne Cabrera, the Pinay behind The Little Epicurean blog, gives us social media tips, describes some of her favorite Filipino recipes and spells EPICUREAN. Stay Tuned & Go Out and VOTE!

In This episode, It’s a BYOB get-together at Genever Cocktail Lounge in Historic Filipinotown.  Infanta Lambanog founder Randy Ramiro is here for it.   Find out how this young entrepreneur is bringing back an old school drink made in the Philippines. Stay Tuned. 

In this episode, small business owner Carissa Solomon shares the story behind her family’s restaurant Ninong's Pastries and why, if she could turn back time, she’d make everyone smell her lunch. Phlavor Profiles is coming up next.  

In this episode, Trilipino Cook Ralph Degala, describes his global food journey. He tells Phlavor how he went from home cooking to representing Filipino food on Master Chef and why he’s so particular about pork fat. Phlavor Profiles is next.  

In this episode, Jelynn Malone, Co-Founder of Mostra Coffee in San Diego tells us how a family trip to the Philippines influenced her business today and why setting up a coffee cart for the people was not going to be enough for the demands of a growing customer base.  Phlavor Profiles is next.

This week Eric De La Cruz, owner of Oi Asian Fusion reveals how dropping out of school and getting fired from Bank of America pushed him to find his true entrepreneurial spirit. Phlavor Profiles is coming up next.

On this episode, listen to Roselma Samala, co-owner of Genever Cocktail Lounge,  tell us why it was important to introduce Filipino flavors to their drinks and how hospitality is at the forefront of this PINAY owned  business. Phlavor Profiles is next.

Welcome back to Season 3 of Phlavor Profiles, the podcast conversation about the Filipino American Experience through the lens of food.  This Season we chatted with so many people including one of the  owners of Mostra Coffee in San Diego, the genius behind ube pancakes,  a self-described Trilipino Master  Chef  and many, many more. Subscribe, Share and Stay Tuned. 

This weeks episode comes at ya from the SPRIZZY, Palm SPRINGS. CHEF Yana Gilbuena and I soak up the sun as she outlines her journey from living her best life in the Philippines, to an abrupt, no so great existence in Los Angeles. Yana also describes the trauma that led her to NEW YORK and why a search for ARROZ CALDO was the catalyst for what she feels is her life’s purpose. 

This week our guest is Yana Gilbuena, the nomadic chef responsible for SALO SERIES, a Filipino inspired, eat with your hands only, community driven experience. Stay Tuned.

Our guest this week is pastry chef Isa Fabro. This Canadian born Filipina was really sick of school and just wanted to make money. It wasn’t until a health scare, that Isa had to reflect on the simple things that made her happy. Stay tuned Phlavor profiles is coming up next.

On our next episode, Chef Isa Fabro describes a life changing trip to the Philippines and why this is the year of giving NO FUCKS. Stay Tuned.

In this episode, Chef AC Boral and I meet up at Romeo Chocolates in Long Beach, CA. Born in Guam, raised in Oxnard, this “Cali” chef describes  his search for identity, despite that colonial shit and the theatrics that go into a longanisa scotch egg. Phlavor Profiles is coming up next!

On our next episode of Plavor Profiles… Chef AC Boral breakdowns the physical mishap that led him to the kitchen and motivated the creation of Rice and Shine, his Filipino inspired pop ups. Stay tuned you won’t want to miss it! 

In this episode, Chef Ria Barbosa and I meet up at FrankieLucy Bakeshop.  She reminisces about the  butter lyfe at “The Mansion” in Vegas, making awesome mistakes at  “Sqrl” in Silverlake and the dumbing down dinuguan.  Phlavor Profiles is up in your earhole now. 

Born in the Philippines,  raised in North East Los Angeles, Chef Ria Barbosa is “fueled by power naps and caffeine”. Lets hope so, cuz she’s gotta a new gig  at Paramount Coffee Project DTLA. Stay Tuned. You won’t want to miss it. 

In the episode I sit down with  Michael Leelin, CFO of Leelin Bakery at their production facility in Santa Fe Springs. We chat about the legacy of Goldilocks, the successes and challenges of running a family business, and his pride and passion for Filipino food.  Phlavor Profiles drops now. 

On our next episode of Flavor Profiles….. We interview Michael Leelin, CFO and COO (child of owner) of Leelin Bakery. He recounts the history of Goldilocks, the original family business, and his hopes for the next generation of pandesal eaters. Stay tuned you won’t want to miss it. 

In this episode of Phlavor Profiles, Executive Chef Anthony Sinsay recalls watching cooking shows on PBS with his dad, what Filipino treat debuted on tv that made him lose his mind. Also, Anthony expresses his passion for cooking, connection,  and why Filipino food finally made sense.  Phlavor Profiles is coming up next. 

I sit down with Executive Chef Anthony Sinsay at J.Six Restaurant in San Diego.  We get all into our “peelings” about Fiipino food and why he feels connected to it after all these years. 

In this episode, Barb Batiste, owner of B Sweet Dessert Bar in Los Angeles has us all in our feelings. We chat about the key connections and  networking that brought her Filipino flavors to the people and her dad’s words of wisdom when it came to running the  business. Stay tuned because Flavor Profiles drops now!

Barb Batiste invites us into the world of B Sweet. Hear about this valley girls journey from stay-at-home-mom to banana bread bawse.  Stay Tuned, you won’t want to miss it!

This episode, Chocolatier Tonet Tibay reveals why her finance career wasn’t as fulfilling as she anticipated, and how reading the N.Y. Times helped her discover her passion, and we discuss her favorite Filipino flavors.    Our show is written and produced by me Karena Apollonya Higgins and Amy Shuster. The shows are edited by Amy Shuster and tech support by Rodney Cajudo. Thank You to all of our guests and sponsors. Be sure to RATE, REVIEW and Subscribe. 

On our next Season 2 episode of Phlavor Profiles...  We interview royalty, miss Marie Antoinette, aka Chocolatier Tonet Tibay. This queen explains the strategy that took her from finance to confections. Stay Tuned, you won’t want to miss it!  

In this episode of Phlavor Profiles I visit Dr Cat Luib at her facility Luib Health Center in San Diego. We literally spill the tea about her approach to wellness using ingredients indigenous to the Philippines. She also tries to get me to decompress with crystals and salt and she delivers the bitter truth about what ingredient you need to start ingesting to lose weight.    Our show is written and produced by me Karena Apollonya Higgins and Amy Shuster.  The shows are edited by Amy Shuster and tech support by Rodney Cajudo.  Thank You to all of our guests and sponsors. Be sure to RATE, REVIEW and Subscribe.         

On our next episode of Phlavor Profiles... Holistic Practitioner Dr. Cat Luib gives us tips for keeping our health in check….for those of you still  on your New Years resolution grind, find out what Filipino ingredient will help you lose those extra L B’s . Stay tuned.