I’ve heard many stories of families baking or cooking together as a hobby, but I haven’t heard many stories of families who turned their love for cooking into real businesses of different varieties of food. That’s what the amazing Alquiros family has done.
Belly Good MNL (@bellygoodmnl)
https://www.facebook.com/Belly-Good-Mnl-114157090361620
Guillermo Alquiros Jr. aka “Guilly” started his food journey way back in the ’90s. He would always cook for his family and friends until he eventually started his own catering business. His brands today include Kapitan Gimmo, an unlimited seafood restaurant with branches in Quezon City, Iloilo and Antipolo; and Belly Good MNL, which was just born this pandemic as a spin-off of Kapitan Gimmo.
Photo by Alex Cruz
Belly Good MNL offers your favorite classic Filipino dishes but elevates them to a higher level. Their products include bulalo and kare-kare, as well as (of course) lechon belly – but with a personal twist! If your family loves Filipino comfort food, you’ll love what Belly Good MNL has to offer. It’s no wonder why their social media accounts are bombarded with positive reviews and praises from their customers.
The Original Cheesecake Manila (@theoriginalcheesecakemnl)
Inspired by her dad’s love for food and cooking, Camille Alquiros-San Juan aka “Polka” decided to study Culinary Arts at the College of St. Benilde. When she graduated in 2010, she started making cheesecakes for her family and friends with a recipe that was passed down by her Uncle Freddie. After adding her own twist and perfecting the recipe, she finally decided to bring The Original Cheesecake Manila to life.
Photo by Alex Cruz
The Original Cheesecake Manila cheesecakes are best eaten chilled or frozen – and all of their products are downright delectable. Their Strawberry Cheesecake is our personal favorite. Whether you are stressed out or just want to relax, it will fit any mood you might be in.
Alejandro’s (@alejandrosmnl)
https://www.facebook.com/AlejandrosMNL
On that same note, Guillermo Alfonso Alquiros III aka “Alf” started Alejandro’s in 2013 after his first son was born. Alf and his wife Ara started by selling bottled marinara sauce and salsa until they decided to venture into catering. Through the years, they have managed to grow their clientele through word of mouth and social media.
Photo by Alex Cruz
Most of Alejandro’s recipes were adapted from their parents and grandparents; but they put a little of their own twist into them, as well. Make sure to try their Truffle and Fresh Mushroom Pasta. It’s so good, we finished it in mere minutes! If you plan on ordering from Belly Good and/or Alejandro’s make sure to eat the seafood as soon as possible. If you can’t, refrigerate it right away.
Photo by Alex Cruz
This family of chefs has constantly grown through the years by helping each other do better, and their primary focus is to make people happy with the food that they make. To this day, Guilly constantly trains and encourages Polka and Alf to up their game in the food industry by helping them with their cooking skills and other business needs. They all personally prepare everything as they are ordered, so nothing leaves their kitchen or home without approval and a quality check.
“We all just love to cook and we love it even more when we put smiles on our customers’ faces when they eat and share our food with their family and friends,” they add. We are sure that you and your loved ones will love the food that they have to offer, as well. We know we did!
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