Despite a robust Filipino population and a great deal of talented Filipino chefs working in some of the city’s best restaurants, it’s strange to note that Winnipeg is not known outside its borders for Philippine cuisine.
That’s something husband-and-wife duo Allan and Amanda Pineda (along with an ever-changing rooster of collaborative chefs) are trying to change with their monthly pop-up series, Baon Manila Nights.
“Eighty thousand people, or eight per cent of the population of Manitoba is Filipino, and yet we represent maybe five to 10 restaurants/bakeries in the food scene,” said Allan Pineda.
“It’s odd that one of the biggest minorities represents such a small speck of the food establishments, when say there are maybe 150 sushi restaurants with a very small percentage of Japanese residents.”
Sisig-Foie Gras Manila Nights Burger by Allan Pineda (Peter Ruiz Photography)
Allan’s 22 years in Winnipeg’s culinary scene includes being part of the teams that helped open The Mitchell Block, The Merchant Kitchen, Kimchi Cafe on Albert Street, and Inferno’s on Academy (where he still works at night after working a day job at a hospital, “I’m kind of a nomad,” he jokes), while he holds a degree in Culinary Arts from Red River College.
He also sells specialty lumpia (tiny Filipino spring rolls) with flavours like rueben (featuring corned beef, kraut, swiss cheese and a pickle), Philly cheesesteak, and strawberry cheesecake, while both a new food truck and restaurant are in the works.
For the past nine months Allan and Amanda have been collaborating with chefs from across Winnipeg (some of whom are not Filipino), Canada and the U.S., creating menus that take an unexpected look at Filipino staples like adobo (a marinate composed primarily of vinegar, soy sauce and garlic) and longanisa (a stubby, sweet pork sausage) using modernist techniques and plating.
Osso bucco kare-kare (Peter Ruiz Photography)
For instance, the dish pictured at the top of the article is a dessert trio that Allan made utilizing ube (purple yam, an ingredient popular in the Philipines) involving ube icecream, ube gnocchi and ube polvoron (a powdered milk cookie) with SkyFlake cane sugar crumble, vanilla bean cream cheese drizzle and edible flowers.
“People go out all the time for Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Laotian but people rarely go out for Filipino food… and I think it’s because we are only known for making homely food, that visually isn’t often exciting,” said Allan.
“It’s a shame that we have garnered a stigma of just buffet-style meals or quick breakfasts, as our food is so much more than that. We have a unique blend of Spanish, Chinese and Japanese in the mix from years of occupation by these countries, and we should be showcasing that.”
Sous vide Tocino with a garlic fried rice arancini, fried egg emulsion and preserved egg yolk by chef RJ Urbano (Peter Ruiz Photography)
During these sold-out pop-ups (where $50 gets you eight courses, along with a donation to a charitable organization) some of the less-known Filipino cooks, bartenders, bakers and chefs in the city — like Rob Austria (Stella’s), Kevin Castro (The Merchant Kitchen, Creme DeL’Essence) and RJ Urbano (Creme DeL’Essnce, check them out on Instagram, they are doing some really cool things on Inkster Boulevard), who normally are working in kitchens pumping out French food, sushi and baking — are being given a creative outlet to reinterpret the food they grew up eating.
The dinners have been a mix of Winnipeggers from various backgrounds since Allan and Amanda started Baon Manila Nights, so in that sense they’ve been good for introducing a new audience to the potential for how far Philippine cuisine can go.
Allan also traces it to a larger global culinary movement that is seeing Filipino food elevated to a level that goes far beyond breakfast and the buffet.
From the Baon Kamayan Dinner (Peter Ruiz Photography)
“Last year we were fortunate to travel to certain places to cook with other chefs from as far as London and New York,” said Allan.
This included a collaboration with The Adobros and PePe’s, two supper clubs in London, England, while here in Winnipeg Allan and Amanda played host to LA/NYC-based, Philippine-raised chef Yana Gilbuena. She has been touting and showcasing Philippine cuisine through her project called SALO, which thus far has seen her serve 50 kamayan style feasts — that’s where all the food is scattered across a table covered with banana leaves and everything is eaten with your hands — across 50 U.S. states along with regional stops in Canada.
“This year we are planning to do collaborations in Calgary, Vancouver and Minneapolis,” said Allan. “And I hope in the future to bring many more chefs to Winnipeg and to travel and do stages in the top Filipino restaurants in North America in my free time from work.”
“Hot Rod” Rodolfo Cantiveros with Munchies’ chef Matty Matheson (Ron Cantiveros)
In Winnipeg alone the Philippine food scene is already getting more recognition, with a recent feather in the cap being The Filipino Journal‘s Ron Cantiveros’ article in Munchies, Vice magazine’s popular food site called, “The Best Filipino Sausage Is Sold Out of a Car Trunk.” It’s a great article that provides a glimpse into Winnipeg’s Philippine food scene, from neighbourhood barbecues to the underground catering.
Ron and his dad Rodolfo “Hot Rod” also started their own longanisa company last summer called Hot Rod’s Filipino Grill that does catering and special events.
“This “Filipino food movement” is slowly taking off around the world and especially in North America, and here in Winnipeg we are just trying to do our part in showcasing our food and culture,” said Allan.
“I do believe Filipino food is the next big thing and I’m happy to be helping spearhead and do my part in the scene in our city,” he continued.
Allan and Amanda Pineda (Peter Ruiz Photography)
Upcoming Winnipeg Baon Manila Nights are as follows:
-May (date to be announced, check back on their website. April’s is being held in Calgary): guest chef Jeremy Senaris, who is currently competing on MasterChef Canada (if he does better than fifth I’ll stop liking him)
-June 12 – “Sama Sama night” (to get together): Guest chefs, Jeremy Senaris (MasterChef Canada), Roddy Seridilla (Pimp my Rice), RJ Urbano (Cremem DeL’essence).
To RSVP call 204.996.1572.
Want to discover more of Winnipeg’s Philippine cuisine for yourself? Here is Allan’s list of top picks:
Baon Craft Lumpia (Specialty Spring rolls) and Catering
(204) 504-9178
Jeepney Restaurant
714 Sargent Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 414-5989
Pampanga Restaurant and Banquet Hall
349 Henry Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 947-3148
Bisita (opening spring)
637 Corydon Ave
Winnipeg, MB R3M 0W3
(204) 615 7423
Pimp My Rice
Food Truck
(204) 294-1893
Rice Bowl Restaurant
641 Sargent Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 779-2777
Charlee’s Restaurant and Lounge
185 Stadacona Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 663-6484
Kalan
1449 Arlington Street,
Winnipeg, MB R2X1T5
(204) 586-1449
Mangkok International Cuisine
1075 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba
(204) 772-4256
