Famed chef JP Anglo tells Tatler about how he has adapted to the new normal, and how he pushes his brands forward into the future.
JP Anglo was named Tatler Dining’s Champion For Philippine cuisine in 2020 due to his body of work which is all about shining a brighter light on the food, produce, and culinary talent in the Philippines. He is the chef and owner of the popular restaurant Sarsa which has branches all over the metro. This man, fondly known as chef Jayps has become a celebrity since he used to frequent our television screens as a judge on MasterChef and through his CNN Philippines travel and food program. Through his own social media, JP frequently posts funny, entertaining and educational content which his followers love.
This Bacolod-bred chef has had a long love affair with food. He grew up with a foodie family and was exposed to the restaurant industry since he was a child. Becoming a chef came naturally to him, and to this day, what he does inspires and excites him.
JP used to travel around the country for his TV show, educating viewers on regional cuisines and teaching locals how to best make use of available produce. While he can no longer travel like he used to with new-normal protocol in place, chef JP has found many ways to adapt with his restaurant Sarsa. From takeouts to new menu offerings, hear what he has learned during the pandemic:
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What measures did you implement at your restaurants?
The usual of course, all the testing and safety protocols are in place. Also social distancing, even when during break time. We implemented a lot of “packaging protocols” that ensured that the food would still be good when it got to the customer’s home. It had to be “motorcycle friendly” and withstand some humps and bumps along the road. We made sure we packed it safely so there’s no outside contamination as well.
What COVID-19-related measures do you think are here to stay (even post-pandemic) and how do you feel about them?
Perhaps the increased cleanliness and personal hygiene and I think it’s a good thing and a constant reminder that we should all try to be more hygienic. It’s good health practice in general. I also think a lot of people will do the QR code menus even after the pandemic as it’s convenient, practical and is easy to change quickly as well. It’s also environmentally friendly which is a trend that I hope is here to stay! In relation to that, better packaging is something that I think people will still try to go for, even after the pandemic. A lot of people became creative in their packaging while trying to still be environmentally mindful which is why “bagasse packaging” suddenly boomed. I do hope it’s here to stay but I also hope it becomes more affordable too.
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