La Germania Spills Small Food Businesses’ Secrets to Success

For the past two years, Filipinos have seen the rise of home based food businesses.
From sweet pastries to hearty dishes, comfort food to artisanal beverages, numerous Filipinos
have ventured into the world of entrepreneurship. But what does it take for a food business to
succeed amid a global pandemic?

To inspire more Filipinos to build their food businesses, La Germania is launching a
video project called Food Babies. Starting this February, La Germania will be releasing special
features on food businesses that survived and thrived amid all the challenges thrown their
way. This video project will be exclusively available on their Youtube channel and Facebook
page. As a preview of the upcoming project, these food businesses spilled some of their
secrets to success with La Germania.

Use social media to stand out against competition

Claudia’s (@claudias.ph) is a passion project turned popular online bakeshop that
offers chunky and gooey baked cookies and blondies. According to Founder and Owner,
Claudia Tagle, business owners must focus on their social media content to stand out against
competitors, especially since customers “eat with their eyes”.

“It’s important for you to get those really good shots of your food or the products that
you’re selling,” Tagle explained, which involves investing in food photography and social media
content. “I do have slower days or slower months, and I think that consistency is key. You just
need to learn how to market or promote your products more because your loyal customers will
come back.”

She also shared how valuable it is to engage and build relationships with one’s

customers. “What really keeps me going is my customer’s feedback, and when they tell me
they really enjoy the cookies or the blondies. Getting feedback about what they like and don’t
like about your products can help you improve further.”

Believe in your product

Butterboy Bakehouse (@butterboyph) focuses on different kinds of croissants and
baked goods to make pastries more affordable and accessible for everyday Filipinos.
Head baker and owner Hilder Demeterio credits his businesses’ wins to two key
ingredients. “You should seek knowledge from everywhere, like YouTube videos or classes.
You should just try to absorb whatever you can,” he said.

Growing up, Hilder was always a lover of food from a distance. It wasn’t until 2018 that
he finally began to experiment with baking after meeting his boyfriend, Jason. An architect by
profession, Hilder took lessons from his relatives and sought knowledge online, beating the
misconception that you need to be a professional cook to start a successful food business.

Moreover, he believes that it’s important for aspiring foodpreneurs to believe in their
products as if they’re the brand’s number one fan. “In the middle of the pandemic, I was 6
months unemployed. I borrowed money from my parents, and I emptied pretty much all of my
savings. Pati sa boyfriend ko. So during that time, I took a leap of faith and I bought all my own
equipment, tapos ayun, we jumped into the unknown with only the knowledge na ‘I think we
have something good here’.”

To aspiring foodpreneurs, it is your faith and confidence in the uniqueness of your
products that will help your business survive all the ups and downs of the current landscape!

Cook with passion

For restaurateurs Wendel and Portia Habaluyas, The Purple Wok (@thepurplewok)
began as a way to support their loyal kitchen staff who were laid-off due to the pandemic.
“These people have been loyal to us for many years now, so it was very painful for us to see
them feeling hopeless,” said Portia.

For the power couple behind The Purple Wok, it’s all about following your passion.
“The most fun part in running a food business is doing what I love to do. Our recipes were
created out of passion. They were made out of love. We’ve perfected the recipes, and we do
not compromise the quality of our food,” the couple told La Germania.

As for what advice they would give aspiring entrepreneurs, Wendel says: “Never create
a recipe just for a business and just to create money. Especially nowadays, we noticed that
Filipinos are willing to pay a premium or extra for good and quality food. If there’s one advice
we can give to people who want to start a food business, it is for you to cook with passion and
prepare your food with passion.”

These tidbits of wisdom are only some of the valuable lessons viewers can learn from
the La Germania Food Babies series. While each featured business owner may have their
specialty and recipe for success, what they all have in common is that the most important
aspect to your brand’s success is investing in high quality kitchen equipment like La
Germania!

Built according to the highest European standards in terms of construction and design,
La Germania appliances allow you to prepare a multitude of dishes in an efficient and easy
way. With guaranteed durability and superior quality, they’re a good investment for you to
bring out your inner foodpreneur and climb the ladder to culinary success.
La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce
website www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada. You may
follow the trusted kitchen and appliance brand's official Facebook and Instagram accounts for
more information on La Germania and its products.


ABOUT LA GERMANIA

Italian-heritage brand La Germania has been the preferred kitchen companion of Filipino
homemakers for 53 years and counting. Its wide array of ovens, cooktops, and stoves is made of
high-grade materials and designed to stand the test of time and extensive use. La Germania’s
current line of products continues to serve the cooking needs and lifestyle of this generation and
the next. To know more about La Germania and its products, visit www.lagermaniaph.com. The

trusted kitchen partner of Filipinos also has its official stores on Shopee and Lazada. 

Boost Your Immune System with Easy and Healthy Dishes from La Germania

The new year marks a fresh start, but it also means that flu season is upon us. That’s why it’s vital for you and your loved ones to take care of your health. One of the best ways to shield ourselves from diseases and possible health risks is preparing nutritious dishes at home. 

To help you boost your immune system amid flu season, La Germania shares three recipes that are easy to make and rich with health benefits. By preparing these dishes at home, you also get to make a lot of savings. Hence, you hit two birds with one stone.

Get fancy with Salmon en Papillote

French cuisine may sound intimidating, but this tender fish is deceptively easy and fast to prepare. Salmon is one of the most nutritious foods in the market, rich in omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins. Omega-3 fatty acids help build and maintain a healthy body, while B vitamins are a good energy source and may help with certain health problems, like migraines and anxiety. Baking this flavourful French dish will be a total breeze with your La Germania oven range. 

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs salmon, cut into four pieces

• One small zucchini, thinly sliced

• One head fennel, thinly sliced

• One lemon, thinly sliced

• 1 tsp dried dill

• 4 tsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp pepper 

• Parchment paper

Procedure:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.

2. Cut parchment into four large ovals 15” by 10” inches. Then, fold each parchment in half.

3. On half of each parchment, layer on ¼ of the zucchini, ¼ the fennel, one piece of salmon, sprinkle with ¼ tsp salt, ¼ pepper, ¼ tsp dill, lemon slices, drizzle each salmon with one teaspoon olive oil and a few pieces of fennel fronds. Repeat this process with the three remaining salmon filets.

4. Close the parchment by folding the other half over the prepared salmon and carefully roll the open edges toward the center.

5. Set pouches on a baking sheet and bake on the center rack for 15 minutes.

6. Open carefully using a fork and serve.

Photo and Recipe from TheModernProper.com.

Snack it up with Baked Garlic Sweet Potatoes 

If you’re in the mood for a delicious snack, you can forgo junk food and try this affordable yet delectable option instead. Sweet potato (a.k.a kamote) is a superfood packed with plenty of nutrients like Potassium, beta-carotene and Vitamin C. Potassium regulates one’s heartbeat. In contrast, beta-carotene is good for one’s eyesight. Meanwhile, Vitamin C is necessary for the growth, development, and repair of all body tissues. That’s why you should eat more sweet potatoes this flu season. With a La Germania compact oven in your arsenal, you can bake this mouthwatering dish to your heart’s content.

Ingredients:

• Four medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch matchsticks

• Two tablespoons olive oil

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

• Five cloves garlic, pressed

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• Two tablespoons chopped parsley leaves for garnish

Procedure:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.

2. Place the sweet potatoes in a single layer onto the prepared baking sheet. Add olive oil and gently toss to combine; season with salt and pepper to taste. Place into oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until golden and crisp, tossing occasionally.

3. Combine sweet potato with garlic and Parmesan cheese. 

4. Serve immediately, garnished with parsley, if desired.

Recipe from DamnDelicious.net. 

Warm up with a Detoxifying Soup

There’s nothing like a warm soup to stay healthy this cold and flu season. You can skip the store-bought or instant soup by making this soup dish full of immunity-boosting, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying ingredients like assorted vegetables and a medley of spices. Following this 30-minute recipe will be easy peasy with your La Germania electric stove. 

Ingredients:

• One tablespoon olive oil

• One yellow onion, diced

• Six cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

• One teaspoon turmeric

• ½ teaspoon paprika

• One tablespoon lemon juice

• One large sweet potato (about 1/2 lb) diced into ½” cubes

• 1 15oz can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained

• 1 cup red lentils, uncooked and rinsed

• 5 cups vegetable broth

• 1/2 cup kale, destemmed and torn into 1” pieces

• Salt to taste

Procedure:

1. In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat for 1 minute.

2. Add the onion and cook over medium heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

3. Add the garlic and ginger and continue to cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Add the turmeric and paprika and continue to cook for 1 minute.

5. Add the lemon juice, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, red lentils, and vegetable broth and bring to a boil.

6. Once the soup begins to boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 15-20 minutes until the sweet potato is soft.

7. Add kale and continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until the kale has softened and wilted slightly.

8. Season with salt to taste.

Photo and Recipe from IHeartVegetables.com. 

Built according to the highest European standards in terms of construction and design, La Germania appliances allow you to prepare nutritious dishes in an efficient and easy way. With guaranteed durability and superior quality, they’re a good investment for you to channel your inner chef, and make more immune-boosting food at home. 

La Germania products are available online through La Germania’s official e-commerce website www.lagermaniaph.com and e-commerce platforms on Shopee and Lazada. You may follow the trusted kitchen and appliance brand's official Facebook and Instagram accounts for more information on La Germania and its products. 

ABOUT LA GERMANIA 

Italian-heritage brand La Germania has been the preferred kitchen companion of Filipino homemakers for 53 years and counting. Its wide array of ovens, cooktops, and stoves is made of high-grade materials and designed to stand the test of time and extensive use. La Germania’s current line of products continues to serve the cooking needs and lifestyle of this generation and

the next. To know more about La Germania and its products, visit www.lagermaniaph.com. The trusted kitchen partner of Filipinos also has its official stores on Shopee and Lazada. 

Christmas Feast Ideas That You'll Love

There are two traditional feasts that Filipino families often look forward to during Christmastime: the Christmas Eve Noche Buena and the one that follows on the 25th itself, which is often held as part of a festive family reunion. Either way, expect those in charge of preparing the dishes to pull out all the stops to serve the most delectable food on the table for everyone to enjoy.

And if that happens to be you, chances are high that you already have some recipes in mind to make each of these feasts a gastronomic delight to remember. They might even be all-time family favorites, or even hand-me-downs from your great-great grandparents. Having said that, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to learn a few more recipes just to keep things fresh and put something different on the table for Christmas. Two that are guaranteed to make you look like Master Chef are Meatballs in Black Truffle Sauce and Three-Cheese Truffle Macaroni and Cheese.

The recipes are as follows:

Meatballs in Black Truffle Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 slices white bread crusts removed, broken into pieces

• scant 2/3 cup whole milk

• 2 1/4 cups finely minced ground beef (or a mixture of meats, such as pork, chicken or turkey)

• 1/2 cup meat pâté

• Salt and freshly ground black pepper

• Plain all-purpose flour, for dusting

• Olive oil for frying

FOR THE BLACK TRUFFLE SAUCE

• 1 tablespoon + 2 tsp butter

• A drizzle of olive oil

• 1 bunch spring onions scallions, finely chopped

• 1 carrot finely chopped

• 1 heaped cup button or oyster mushrooms finely chopped

• 3 1/2 tablespoon plain all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup white wine

• 2 cups beef chicken or vegetable stock

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary

• 1/2 cup double heavy cream

• 1/2 teaspoon Umbria Black Truffle Sauce

Instructions

1. Place the bread in a bowl and pour over the milk. Set aside to soak.

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the meat and the pâté. Add the soaked bread and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined. Form meatballs by rolling walnut-sized pieces of the mixture between your hands. They should be about 1oz each. Dust the meatballs in flour.

3. Heat some oil in a shallow pan over a medium-high heat and fry the meatballs just until they are golden. Do not overcook at this stage as we are going to finish them in the sauce. Set aside.

4. To make the sauce, heat the butter and olive oil in a pan over a medium-low heat and add the finely chopped spring onions, carrot and mushrooms. Cook for about 10 minutes, until the onion is transparent. Reduce the temperature to low and add the flour to the pan, stirring with a wooden spoon to make a roux. Cook for about 4 minutes and then add the wine, continuing to stir until you get a paste and the alcohol has evaporated, then add the stock with the salt and rosemary. Keep stirring and cooking until the sauce thickens, then add the cream, stirring so that the mixture doesn’t split or curdle. Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook for a further 5 minutes.

5. Put Umbria Black Truffle Sauce into the sauce, mix and fold and serve hot.

Three-Cheese Truffle Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter, divided

1 cup mushroom (75 g), sliced

1 pinch salt

1 pinch pepper

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup milk (240 mL)

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese (110 g)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (100 g)

2 cups shell pasta (400 g), cooked

TOPPINGS

½ teaspoon Umbria truffle oil

1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped

Preparation

1. Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, salt, and pepper and cook until the mushrooms are softened. Remove from the pot.

2. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the flour to the pot. Whisk until the flour is toasted, approximately 2 minutes.

3. Add the milk while whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce is thickened.

4. Whisk in the Parmesan and cheddar cheeses and season with salt and pepper.

5. Add the cooked pasta and mushrooms. Mix until the sauce coats the pasta well.

6. Top with Umbria truffle oil, fold and add chives.

Of course, it’s understandable that you’d stop at nothing to make these year’s Christmas celebrations as grand as possible. After all, last year’s Holidays were mostly muted due to the pandemic. Now, the scourge that is COVID-19 is still here, but the country is showing signs of recovery and the quarantine restrictions are easing as a result.

However, that doesn’t mean you and your family should be letting your guard down. Rather, continue to be vigilant even as you think of ways to gather everyone this Christmastime—ideally, sharing some sumptuous Meatballs in Umbria Black Truffle Sauce and servings of mouthwatering Three-Cheese Umbria White Truffle Macaroni and Cheese.

Merry Christmas!