Tough times as the Covid-19 pandemic wrought on the economy, impacted yet by the surge in fuel prices which dominoed on the basic commodities and services that contracted, if not altogether shuttered many a business; tougher though stood, indeed excelled, in 2022 five enterprises, continuing on a trajectory to even higher achievements in 2023. The Editor
TASTE HAS no limits. Not so much in the context of unli-rice in some fast-food joint or in all-you-can-eat buffets for the consumer, as in a chef’s culinary choices.
This, proven – in the wake of the pandemic at that! – by the Chef Vince Garcia Culinary Group.
Whipping up haute cuisine for a virtual who’s who in the world of cinema and the arts, politics, and business long established young Chef Vince as the “Chef to celebrities” – the C in upper case befitting the upper caste clients.
His Rainforest Kichene in the City of San Fernando, founded in 2013, is a quotidian affirmation of his culinary excellence. He could have rested on…er, in the scheme of things cheffy, kept flavoring with his laurels with what he had already achieved and remained as profitably famous.
But no, Chef Vince has just more to share. Much more.
European-themed resto En Croute Café with its signature coffee and healthy plates was put up in Clark in partnership with surgeon and derma couple Dr. Eder and Dr. Aenelle Dizon in Dec. 2018.
The onset of restrictions owing to the Covid-19 pandemic constrained the closure of public spaces, eateries not excluded. Still, Chef Vince found time to engage in CSR with food he himself cooked and delivered to frontliners where it was possible.
It was the pandemic too – when health protocols were eased up – that partly gave the chef the impetus to set sight on new food ventures.
To provide jobs for the retrenched workers and fulfil his dream of a Samgyupsal place of his own as he and his wife Sheena are “fanatic eaters” of the Korean culinary delight, Chef Vince opened Chef Baboy Unlimited Premium Korean BBQ in the City of San Fernando in February 2022.
Seven months later, Chef Baboy Unlimited Premium Korean BBQ opened its first branch in Clark Freeport. A clear case of one delight deserving another…
And another, Chef Baboy Unlimited Premium Korean BBQ branch at the Infinity CBD near Angeles City Hall soon opening…
And yet another, Chef Baboy Unlimited Premium Korean BBQ branch along Lazatin Blvd. in the City of San Fernando now undergoing construction.
At the freeport, fast rising is VG Bakery + Bistro Clark.
Revenge gustation, anyone?
November 2022 made history for Chef Vince with the groundbreaking for the corporate office building of his eponymous culinary group in Barangay San Isidro, Bacolor, Pampanga.
“A momentous event for everyone, especially those who have witnessed, who grew with us, and who were with us through thick and thin. Finally, this is it. The dream we all have waited for. CVGCG will have now its own home,” enthused the chef.
Expected to rise in the first quarter of 2023, the building will house, aside from the corporate office, two subsidiaries.
Bravosteel Professional Kitchen and Equipment Solutions, a one-stop-shop that offers high standard stainless-steel fabrication and top-of-the-line kitchen equipment and machine. Its aim is to exquisitely design and build high functional kitchens for restaurants, cafe, hotels, hospitals, events place, commissary and real estate such as condominiums, private and luxury houses and resorts, with the 5-star after-sale service, its collateral read.
ZE Food Trading covering a full range of wholesale and retail of food supply and equipment, from imported quality food items like meat, poultry, dry goods, beverage mix, and more to high standard industrial kitchen/business tools.
Good as 2022 is, even greater promises 2023 for Chef Vince. Aye, eats a life!
