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SOUPSFORTHESOUL
Sandy’s
secrets
SandyDaza tellsuswhat
itwas likegrowingup
withachefmom, and
revealshis favoritesoupy
comfort food
Whatwas it likegrowingup ina
householdwithacelebratedchef—
NoraDaza—asamom?
Growingup inour house, all we talked
aboutwas food. Even ifwewereeating, we
would start discussingour nextmeal. Itwas
never ending.
Aside frombeingachef, shewasa
restaurateur.Whatdidyou learn
fromher?
When I was 20 years old,mymomhad to
travel toManila for business, and she left
me to runour restaurant inParis. Before
she left, she toldme that as chefs, our
weapon is our palate.When it came to
our food she said, “Taste it, and if it tastes
good to you, then serve it.” Itwas avery
simple statement thatwas loadedwith
responsibilitybecause the satisfactionof
our patronsdependedon it. Since then, I’ve
made it apoint to continue to improve the
qualityofmypalate. It’s always important
that as chefs, we raiseour standards.
Becauseofmy show,
FoodPrints,
I get to
travel all over thePhilippines and try the
best dishes fromall theprovinces. I’m
always inspiredbywhat I taste. If I eat a
sinigang I love, I learn from it andgoback
homeandmake sure thatmyown sinigang
is asgoodas thebest that I ever tried.
Whatareyourmemoriesofyour
favoritesoupycomfort foodwhile
growingup?
Pork spare ribs sinigangwas always a sure
winner. I liked it very sourwitha lot of
kangkong, servedwith
patis
, calamansi, and
sili on the side. Plus of course, plentyof rice.
What soupdoyou love tocook for
yourown familyona rainyday?
I like to serve something I grewupwith.
Thereare somanygoodmemories there,
andwhen youenjoy something somuch
youwant to share itwith those you care
for. So forme it’sdefinitelypork spare ribs
sinigang.
What is theculinaryphilosophyof
your restaurant,WoodenSpoon?
It’s about familiar flavors andunusual
dishes. Eachdish is likeopeningagift for
Christmas. It comes to your tableand it
seemsdifferent from theusual, so you’re
intrigued. Then youbite inand it tastes
great.With
FoodPrints,
I get topickup
new ideas. Thisway familiar flavors canbe
madeexciting.
WoodenSpoonhasbranches inKatipunan,
KapitolyoandMakati.Visit
woodenspoon.
ph
for details.
CebuPacificflies to
34destinations in the
Philippines.
cebupacificair.com
