One day, a food brand reached out to me and offered delivery in exchange for featuring their food on my page and stories. And of course, being the giddy me, I accepted the offer. Since then, I started getting more delivery collaborations and dining review invites, even more after the lockdown was lifted.

Tell us about your background and journey.

I am the Client Services Manager in a technical company here in Dubai that deals with facility maintenance.

I grew up in the Philippines, and I have always loved staying in the kitchen, watching and helping my grandmother prepare Filipino dishes in a wide variety, this made me passionate about food as this opened my curiosity to different types of delicacies.

I was very adventurous even at a younger age. I even remember being fascinated by cookbooks and food magazines. I guess I am an artist by heart – I used to cut out the photos and create a collage out of it. I also love taking photos and videos of just about anything that excites me. It has become a hobby for me, especially when I visit a new place.

Fast forward, my real foodie journey started in April of this year, ironically speaking, amid the pandemic. But even before that, I already have an active Instagram page that features my travel and landscape photos.

One day, while I was planning to post something, I realized that I had no content to post anymore until I found some of the food photos I’ve taken during my recent trips or in just some of my regular dining out here in the UAE.

I was surprised when I got really good feedback from my followers, from a huge number of likes to hearty comments, so I continued posting food photos and videos. I also took advantage of the lockdown period – I mean, hey! You know what they say, if you don’t learn or master anything quarantine, then you don’t lack time, you lack discipline, and so I honed my cooking and photography skills and kept posting them on my socials.

Until one day, a food brand reached out to me and offered delivery in exchange for featuring their food on my page and stories. And of course, being the giddy me, I accepted the offer. Since then, I started getting more delivery collaborations and dining review invites, even more after the lockdown was lifted.

Which is your favorite cuisine and dish?

I am a food lover in general, so I don’t have a specific favorite cuisine. But I have a few dishes that I can’t say no to when it’s on the table. One is ‘Kare-Kare’, a famous classic Filipino dish, a beef stew with a rich peanut sauce, thicken by lightly toasted ground rice.

The traditional recipe calls for oxtail and tripes, and a celebration of vegetables – string beans, eggplant, bok choy, and banana blossoms.

My taste buds also long for Japanese food. I literally can eat any Japanese cuisine, from Sushi to Moshi. I love Japanese food because of its simplicity which highlights the natural flavors of the ingredients.

How often do you go out to eat?

Everyday! My inner foodie prince just wouldn’t let me stay at home. I am very fortunate to have been invited for a restaurant review or visit daily. There are even times when I have two reviews in a day.

This made me grateful for the opportunity to explore different types of cuisines, where I also got to learn new things about food from different countries.

I also like the idea that in my humble little ways, I can help restaurants and brands in showcasing their specialties through my platform, especially during these trying times.

Which restaurants/food joints would you recommend to food lovers?

Well, I have a lot of restaurants on my top list and it depends on what type of food. You can always shoot me a message and I am always happy to recommend whatever type of cuisine you might be craving. I see myself as a food guide already.

I always get DMs asking for a suggestion for a specific occasion or type of food they fancy. And that is fulfilling. It only means my reviews and feedback are relevant to my followers.

What makes you appreciate a particular dish or a restaurant and talk about it on your blog?

Aesthetic appeal is the primary aspect I look at in a dish. I believe that a complete gastronomic experience does not involve the taste alone. It should arouse all senses.

Second of course is the taste. I love it when a dish surprises me with a unique element that sets it apart from the others. The ambiance is also important to me. Design, concept, space, and hygiene are some of the things I always look for when visiting a restaurant.

Last, but not least, is customer service. It’s the cherry on top of every restaurant. Great customer service makes a valuable difference.

How long does it take to get a perfect Instagram shot?

It depends really on the location, time, and plating or presentation. If a dish is presented well with proper lighting, 2-4 clicks are enough. However, if I need to fix the plating first or set up the light, it usually takes 30-45 mins.

What type of camera do you use?

I am using an iPhone 11 pro max and Canon EOS 750D. Phone for the videos while DSLR for the still images. Both are enough for me to capture the vivid celebration of the colors and texture of the food.