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Home food business? Celebrity chef Margarita Fores shares some tips
MANILA, Philippines – When God closes a door, He opens a window. For celebrity chef Margarita Fores, it’s the kitchen window, in particular.
The coronavirus pandemic could have closed many jobs and businesses, particularly those of many Filipino workers abroad. But if there’s one good thing Chef Margarita has observed, it’s that the pandemic has spawned enterprising home cooks.
“It is interesting that enterprising home cooks have taken a large share of the market. It’s very interesting because people who used to cook for themselves are now offering new dishes, ”the celebrity chef behind Filipino-Italian culinary powerhouse Cibo recently declared at a virtual press release for the 2020 Singapore Food Festival.
Related: Singapore’s Michelin-starred chefs give master classes; Celebrity Chefs Say Pandemic Redefines Convenience Food
Rather than making the competition tighter, having more home chefs “made the food scene more exciting and interesting,” Fores said.
Also, in addition to providing displaced workers with alternative livelihoods, the home cooking craze is now the catapult behind food fads, Fores said.
Among these trendy quarantine foods is baked sushi. “Who would have thought that baking sushi is also a good idea?” Fores commented.
Even the Japanese restaurant chain Tokyo Tokyo caught up with the trend and recently released their own versions of baked sushi called Sushi Bake in two seafood flavors, Cheesy California Crunch and Salmon Teriyaki Crunch, which can be bought to-go in stores. or order via delivery. or GrabFood. Each good-for-two baked sushi tray comes with nori sheets and tempura crumbs to garnish the dish, which can be easily “baked” at home by reheating in the oven or toaster.
Whether you’re thinking of joining the food business craze or trying to keep the one you already have afloat, Chef Margarita has the following tips.
Carefully plan or reconsider your dishes or offerings
Choose dishes that can be easily packed and delivered. This means getting rid of sauces and other seasonings or garnishes that could ruin the dish when it is moved from your home to another.
“I think that, aside from the meal kits, what is needed is to refine our offerings. (Opt for) dishes or offerings that travel better when they are taken out or delivered ”, advised Chef Gaita.
Opt for comfort food-style dishes
Since many people could be stressed today due to the pandemic, comfort food, such as chocolate or coffee powder, is in high demand, according to Fores.
Prepare food that lasts longer
Since having lots of home cooks also means having more competition, the order flow can be unpredictable for any home food business. There can be good and bad days.
So to minimize spoilage and loss, venture into foods with a longer shelf life, such as bottled sauces, Fores said.
She gave as an example the pasta kits her catering kitchen has created as the demand for catering has decreased because large gatherings under community quarantine are not yet allowed.
Pack your food well
“Packaging. We definitely have to rethink the way we present our food,” said the chef and restaurateur.
In addition to making the packaging attractive and practical for travel, the packaging must also be closed properly to protect the food from elements such as coronavirus. It would also be better if biodegradable or recyclable packaging were used.
Start small and slow
Singaporean chef Ming Tan, a friend of Fores, also gave some advice during the virtual press release.
A good friend told you that if there are many things to do, start slowly.
“Focus on the things you can control and work from there,” Tan said.
“Every day is a roller coaster ride today in commercial sales. So start small. Do what you can, what you’re good at. Make good decisions and don’t freeze. “
Always reinvent
Fores praised the packaging industry for taking a turn toward making masks and face shields. “Pivoting” has become one of the most used words this year, he said.
“From my own business, we had to reinvent everything,” he professed. “We started slowly before this ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) started, doing little dinners, little weddings for 20 people. And making sure there is less contact possible. “
What else can you offer to improve life?
In addition to food, Fores is now also dedicated to providing live orchids and flower arrangements that last at least a month, as well as making his table linen and tableware business more active, “everything that makes people’s home be more enjoyable. ” she said.
Her son also started a business offering home and office disinfection services, and she reserves her services for her businesses once every two weeks.
“Always think about what else you can offer to make life more enjoyable,” he recommended.
“See what else the market needs every day and be more sensitive to what it needs.”
After all, a business, said the chef, should not only be for profit, but also become a blessing to others.
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