What Aspiring Chefs Need to Know, According to Chef JP Anglo | Toni Talks

Summary

In this engaging conversation, a chef reflects on his journey from Bacolod to becoming a successful chef in Manila and Dubai. He shares his humble beginnings, from cooking in a restaurant to owning multiple branches of his restaurant. His love for nature and adventure, including surfing and camping, is also highlighted, as well as the support of his wife and family. The chef’s resilience in facing challenges, including rejections, and his commitment to cooking with heart rather than fame, provides valuable insights for aspiring chefs. The story emphasizes the importance of passion, humility, and staying grounded despite success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Chef Jayps talks about his passion for nature, starting with activities like riding motorcycles and surfing, which eventually led him to enjoy camping.
• 😀 Despite being a successful chef, Chef Jayps remains humble and grounded, always keeping in mind that his ultimate goal is to make people happy through food.
• 😀 Chef Jayps’ journey into the culinary world started unexpectedly when Direk Lauren Dyogi discovered him while he was working at a restaurant in Bacolod.
• 😀 His first encounter with the celebrity chef world was nerve-wracking, especially when he stuttered in front of the cameras during MasterChef, but he was determined to keep pushing forward.
• 😀 Chef Jayps shares a humorous story of using all of Juday’s food supplies by accident, leading to a lasting bond with her after years of embarrassment.
• 😀 Kris Aquino’s tweet, calling Chef Jayps her new favorite chef, marked a turning point, giving him instant recognition and a flood of followers, but he managed to stay grounded through surfing.
• 😀 Even though Chef Jayps initially struggled to secure a business partner for his restaurant, his sister stepped in, and they eventually opened the first Sarsa branch in BGC.
• 😀 Chef Jayps discusses how expanding his restaurant chain too quickly made him lose focus on the original purpose, leading him to scale back and focus on one busy restaurant instead.
• 😀 Moving to Dubai opened new opportunities for Chef Jayps, as his pop-up event there turned into a long-term venture due to the large Filipino community that greatly missed home-cooked Filipino food.
• 😀 The core memory that inspired Chef Jayps to become a chef was the time his grandfather took him to the beach and introduced him to delicious native food, particularly oysters and roasted chicken.
• 😀 Chef Jayps emphasizes the importance of cooking with passion, stating that aspiring chefs should focus on cooking for the right reasons, such as to bring joy, rather than for fame or money.

Q & A

What was a pivotal moment in the chef's career journey?

A pivotal moment in the chef's career was when he was discovered by Direk Lauren Dyogi while working in his restaurant. This discovery led to his participation in the show MasterChef and eventually helped shape his career.

What motivated the chef to become a judge on MasterChef?

The chef acknowledges that being a judge on MasterChef is a significant achievement in his career, though he admits to feeling nervous and intimidated despite his prior success on the show as a contestant.

What role does nature play in the chef's life and career?

Nature plays a grounding role in the chef’s life. His interest in activities like camping and surfing helps him stay connected to the outdoors and remain grounded, as he believes it helps him stay in touch with his surroundings and maintain a balanced perspective.

How did the chef's background in Bacolod influence his culinary style?

The chef's upbringing in Bacolod shaped his appreciation for delicious food, with childhood memories, such as his grandfather feeding him oysters and native chicken, influencing his passion for cooking.

What was the chef's initial challenge when starting his own restaurant?

The chef faced numerous rejections when trying to open his own restaurant, but eventually, his sister became his business partner, leading to the opening of Sarsa. The journey was tough, and at one point, he even attended business school to find a suitable partner.

Why did the chef choose to expand his restaurant to Dubai?

The chef and his wife decided to expand to Dubai after being invited by a hotel group for a pop-up during the Christmas season. They were surprised by the overwhelming support from fellow Filipinos in the area, which encouraged them to open a restaurant there.

What is the chef's approach to handling fame and public recognition?

The chef stays grounded by practicing activities like surfing, which helps him keep a sense of humility and reminds him that everyone is equal in nature. He values his family's support and remains focused on his work rather than the fame that comes with it.

What does the chef believe is the key to success for aspiring chefs?

The chef advises aspiring chefs to cook for the right reasons—out of passion and love for the craft—rather than seeking fame or fortune. He emphasizes that success will follow if chefs are genuine and true to their passion.

What is the significance of the chef's story about cooking for Juday?

The story of cooking for Juday, where the chef unintentionally used all of her food supplies, highlights the humility and learning curve he experienced early in his career. It also demonstrates his relationship with Juday, who later reassured him and teased him about the incident.

How does the chef balance his professional life with his personal life?

The chef balances his professional life with his personal life by prioritizing his family. He acknowledges that his wife plays a significant role in supporting him and keeping him grounded, even when he is busy with his culinary endeavors and public appearances.