10/08/2021
Hello, everyone! I hope you all are having a lovely Friday.
Can you believe it’s been a year since we officially opened Wengay’s Kitchen?! This photo taken from our first photo session before Spice Bridge even opened is of me, bright-eyed, nervous but eager to launch, not knowing what to expect from this whole journey.
This past year has been filled with an abundance of blessings and lessons. A year full of blood, sweat, tears, joy, and literal burns. Launching a food business with zero professional cooking and business experience, especially during a pandemic, has been challenging but also rewarding.
I’d like to express my gratitude to my family and community who I learn from every day. I’m extremely lucky and blessed to have my mother, nicknamed Wengay, with me by my side. She is literally the one who started it all in our family kitchen and now my helping hand with recipes, dishes, and all the other exhausting work. I’d also like to appreciate my sister, Katie, for helping me even when she’s stressed and busy with school. To all my titas, titos, cousins, and all my fam and friends, I’m forever grateful for all your encouragement and support. Thank you for reminding me what FAMILY and LOVE truly is.
I’d also like to give a shout-out to my and family. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to grow and learn in this space and for the resources to reach my goals. Thank you to my lovely cohort sisters who I know will always have my back. My heart and tummy will forever be full.
I would also like to recognize and appreciate my local Filipino community for the unending love and support. I am so grateful that I am able to connect with my community through food and hospitality. I’m happy to honor our people’s struggles, strengths, and triumphs, everyday.
Year 2 at Spice Bridge will be even better, and I’m excited for what’s to come and how Wengay’s Kitchen will flourish. The work has been so rewarding but very exhausting and has affected me mentally and physically. I will be closed for a few weeks but will be back hopefully with a more renewed spirit and passion.
Again, THANK YOU for all the love ❤️