Chef Francis Ang, the lauded chef behind Pinoy Heritage and San Francisco's newest Filipino restaurant Abacá, on the Philippine restaurants he can't wait to visit
Thanks to proud, talented Pinoy chefs like Francis Ang, Filipino food is steadily entering the gastronomic lexicon of diners around the world. Although he spent much of his childhood in Manila, Ang made the move to San Francisco at just 19 years old, returning to his hometown to commence his culinary studies. As he completed his studies and enjoyed a promising start in the restaurant industry, Ang and his wife Dian often journeyed to the Philippines, determined to learn about the regional cuisines that enrich our archipelago. But after a devastating typhoon left thousands of Filipino families displaced, Ang was inspired to hold a fundraiser back in the United States to support the typhoon victims while showcasing Filipino cuisine–a culinary event that would soon evolve into the pop-up restaurant Pinoy Heritage.
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True to its name, Pinoy Heritage celebrates Filipino fare through bi-weekly eight-course dinners and monthly kamayan feasts, which quickly captured the attention of homesick Filipinos and discerning foodies alike. In 2018, Ang was recognised as one of San Francisco Chronicle’s Rising Star Chefs, a title he was also granted by StarChefs the following year. Just last August, Ang opened the doors to his newest restaurant Abacá: a contemporary Filipino-Californian restaurant that offers everything from BBQ sticks to ube cocktails, and of course, a healthy array of rice and pancit dishes to boot.
As busy as he may be, Ang continues to long for the mouthwatering dishes he enjoyed on his expeditions throughout the Philippines. Find out what chef Francis Ang looks forward to eating on his next visit home and where he gets A Taste of Home, here:
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