Cover Sub-Zero refrigeration (left) and Wolf double oven (right) / Photos: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf
Sub-Zero refrigeration (left) and Wolf double oven (right) / Photos: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf
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Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, Bianca Elizalde and Cherrie Atilano demonstrate how fresh, exceptional food connects and nourishes us across time through luxury kitchen brands Sub-Zero and Wolf
It’s no secret that great cooking brings people together. Whether at the family dinner table or among kindred communities, a meal crafted with the freshest ingredients and utmost care can make all the difference, sustaining us in many ways. Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, Bianca Elizalde and Cherrie Atilano share this sentiment.
While these three women come from distinct backgrounds, their journeys are indubitably tied together by their passion for quality food. Echoing the value of freshly prepared, shared meals are luxury kitchen appliance brands Sub-Zero and Wolf. Their ingenious designs have long adorned spaces that brim with life, and now they celebrate the joy of exceptional meals in their shared “Fresh Food for Generations” campaign.
See also: From seed to plate: Sub-Zero and Wolf’s initiative seeks to empower Philippine farmers
Above Exceptional meals are meant to be shared (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
Exceptional meals are meant to be shared (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
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Upholding traditions
Above Restaurateur Happy Ongpauco-Tiu (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
Restaurateur Happy Ongpauco-Tiu (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
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As the chef and restaurateur behind various concepts in the country, Ongpauco-Tiu is widely regarded as a tastemaker and a hostess extraordinaire. She can easily craft a gorgeous spread of warm, nostalgic dishes reminiscent of her family’s culinary legacy—after all, it was her father and grandmother who put up the pioneering Filipino restaurant Barrio Fiesta. While she ultimately forged her own path, Ongpauco-Tiu is continually inspired by familiar flavours and the feel of home, striving to foster this across all her entrepreneurial ventures today.
Much of what she does now is a nod to hearty heirloom recipes, fondly elevated with her flair and creative exploration in the kitchen. There, her Wolf appliances stand as a trusted partner whether she is preparing beloved recipes for her family or exploring new ones for her businesses. More than a culinary playground where she has developed and refined her skills over time, it has also become the backdrop of cherished traditions, such as the family gatherings every Sunday that her grandmother once started. “The kitchen would be our favourite happy place in our home,” the chef remarks.
Above Crispy pata, a cherished family recipe of Ongpauco-Tiu (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
Crispy pata, a cherished family recipe of Ongpauco-Tiu (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
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On such occasions, she and her four children often fill the kitchen to recreate staple meals like her lola’s classic humba and kare-kare or her dad’s signature crispy pata. Ensuring that each dish is as hearty as she remembers is likewise a breeze with her staples from Wolf, a brand renowned for its precision cooking. Through this precious activity, Ongpauco-Tiu can forge lifelong memories with her family and instil in them a deeper appreciation for every meal.
Read more: Flavours of My Youth: Get to know Sonja Ocampo, the chef behind Manila’s iconic cupcakes
Nourishing body and soul
Above Wellness advocate Bianca Elizalde (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
Wellness advocate Bianca Elizalde (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
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Elizalde is a prominent champion of healthy eating and holistic wellness, most notably evidenced by her commercially successful farm-to-table establishment, The Wholesome Table. It all began about 20 years ago, when the former model chanced upon a book on nutrition that underscored how food can impact one’s overall wellness—that “you can control how well you feel, how well you are”, as Elizalde puts it.
From then on, she sought to guide her family of six towards more conscious eating habits, though such a journey was not without challenges. There was a significant lack of healthy options available in the metro, for one. After delving into extensive research and exploring different diets, it also became clear that there was no single path to take: because each body is unique, it’s important to tune into our own and fuel ourselves accordingly.
This ultimately led the wellness advocate to look inward, closer to home. By preparing meals herself, she had better control over what she fed her family, from the ingredients and portion sizes to the cooking methods. It also enabled her to show her kids the thoughtful process of food preparation.
See also: 5 reasons to start meal prepping
The benefits of cooking from scratch and using natural ingredients later became the driving force behind The Wholesome Table, through which she and her husband make nourishing meals accessible and appealing to many others. Truly a strong proponent of mindful eating, Elizalde’s story mirrors how Sub-Zero and Wolf champion the importance of making well-thought-out dishes that are nutritious without compromising on taste and flavour.
Securing the future of food
Above UN Ambassador for Food Security and Nutrition Cherrie Atilano (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
UN Ambassador for Food Security and Nutrition Cherrie Atilano (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
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Equally outspoken in her advocacy, Atilano highlights the value of our food sources through her role as the United Nations Ambassador for Food Security and Nutrition. Like Ongpauco-Tiu, the inspiration behind her life’s work stems from her childhood—having spent it on a sugarcane farm, she was exposed to the farmers’ vital role in national food security and nutrition from a young age. She muses, “It begins with honouring each step it takes to put food on our table.”
Dedicated to serving the backbone of the country’s economy, Atilano founded AGREA, an innovative social enterprise that helps uplift farming communities to address food insecurity. With initiatives to empower women, alleviate poverty and promote zero-waste among others, this agribusiness has been instrumental in her mission of safeguarding crucial food systems.
Read more: Founder and CEO of Agrea, Cherrie Atilano, shares her empowering story
Above Fresh produce in the Sub-Zero crisper drawer (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
Fresh produce in the Sub-Zero crisper drawer (Photo: Courtesy of Sub-Zero and Wolf)
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Atilano’s brainchild has evidently bridged the gap between the farmers, the market and the consumers for ten years now and they are continuously seeking to reach more. In line with AGREA’s philosophy on sustainability, she has also endeavoured to train the next generation of farmers, equipping them with entrepreneurial skills so they can be self-sufficient. Such efforts have been recognised globally, mobilising volunteers, businesses, academia and governments from all over the world.
Honouring the source of food is also echoed by Sub-Zero. Pioneering features like the innovative dual refrigeration system, precise temperature control, and NASA-based air purification help keep food fresher for longer, ensuring that nothing goes to waste.
Sub-Zero and Wolf’s shared determination to constantly improve their products and transform lives is furthermore in line with the advocacies that Ongpauco-Tiu, Elizalde and Atilano stand for. For big companies to have sustainability and progress in mind is no doubt a feat in the industry, and hopefully this paves the way for many more to follow suit.
As these women of influence demonstrate through unique but somehow connected stories and journeys, one’s choice of appliances ultimately plays a valuable part in creating memorable moments and preserving culinary traditions. Along with the quality assured by Sub-Zero and Wolf, they are better equipped to bring families and even communities together, serving them good food worth savouring and cherishing across generations.
Discover the legacy of exceptional meals and learn more on generations.subzero-wolf.com.ph. You may also follow @subzerowolfph on Instagram or email subzero@focusglobalinc.com.
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