BJ, an internationally renowned financial analyst , is in perfect control of everything.
His competence and skills brought him to the top of his career and success seemed to follow him everywhere.
But this set up comes with a catch - he needs to h...
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Towards that Elusive 3 Michelin Stars By Tita Gay Abundance Photo by: @alice_no_tabi
For the longest time, the country's elite and gourmet eaters have contented themselves with 1 and 2 Michelin-starred restaurants. It's about time our top chef, Maxwell Ollivier, take up the challenge once more!
Join us in getting to know the very four apprentices Chef Maxwell himself handpicked for this very difficult project: BJ, Jiwoo, Nico, and Vivi.
For this issue, we'll be introducing Apprentice Chefs BJ Alvarez and Jiwoo Garcia.
Dig in!
Tita Gay: Tell us about yourselves!
Jiwoo: I'm Jiwoo Miguel Garcia. 29 years old.
BJ: I'm Ben Jamin Alvarez. Turning 32 this year.
Tita Gay: How did you start in the culinary arts?
Jiwoo: I've always worked in restaurants and hotels - from dishwashing, hall service, to kitchen support staff. It's always my dream to become a successful gourmet chef.
BJ: I was actually a corporate financial analyst for a conglomerate in Seoul. But I recently resigned and moved back here. I wanted to try pursuing my passion back when I was younger — desserts!
Tita Gay: What's your favorite dish to cook and favorite dish to eat?
Jiwoo: I guess my favorite dish to cook is Kare Kare (Oxtail Peanut Butter Stew). It's really fun building up the flavor profile for that. As for the food that I like eating...It's difficult to choose. There is one that I've tasted recently... BJ made some and gave it to me, once. It's like cream puffs but with some fancy stuff on.
(Editor's Note: We checked with BJ, it was his modern take on the Paris Brest.)
BJ: Favorite food to cook is definitely brownies. I guess that's my favorite food to eat, too. It's very simple to make yet it's very comforting to eat.
Tita Gay: What would you say is your signature dish?
Jiwoo: I don't have any. I do hope to create one recipe, someday, that people will recognize as something that is truly Jiwoo.
BJ: I don't think we've reached that level yet. However, for now, I guess I can say that my crème caramels were a hit.
Tita Gay: What kind of chef are you?
Jiwoo: I'm more into savory foods — meat based dishes.
BJ: I want to become a pastry chef. Right now I'm more comfortable making cakes and desserts as opposed to cooking entrees.
Tita Gay: Enough about cooking! What's your ideal partner?
Jiwoo: Someone cute. Definitely shorter than me. I also have a thing for smart-looking people. They don't have to be really smart. Just smart-looking.
(Editor's Note: You mean like BJ? Unfortunately, Jiwoo did not confirm.)
BJ: Partner? As in romantic partner? When I look at my previous relationships, they're all the Chinito-type. I guess that's the physical characteristics I'm generally attracted to.
(Editor's Note: You mean like Jiwoo? BJ blushed but he denied it.)
Tita Gay: Jiwoo announced on Instagram that he was on boyfriend duty for BJ. Can you explain that?
Jiwoo: Oh, that was me and BJ joking around. That was the day we officially became friends. So I joked and referred to us as boy-friends. Boys who are friends.
BJ: Oh, that was nothing. Jiwoo was fooling around. I'm gay and he's straight so I guess it's never going to happen.
(Editor's Note: Unfortunately, their stories tallied. It seems like they're really just good friends.)
Tita Gay: Describe your co-apprentices.
Jiwoo: They're all very talented and they all have their own strengths. Nico seems to be very adept at European cuisine. Vivi seems to be good at East Asian cuisine. And BJ seems to be very good at desserts. And they're all really cool and fun-to-be-with. And they're all loaded. Ha ha ha.
BJ: Nico's the quiet and serious type but he's really reliable and friendly. He also has extensive background in French and Italian cooking. Vivi is this hip and cool chic that will slap the misogyny out of anyone. She's strong but she's very kind at the same time. Plus she makes the best pork buns I have ever tasted!
(Editor: We had to remind BJ to describe Jiwoo.)
BJ: Jiwoo's really talented. I'm not sure he notices it but he really is a very talented chef. He's also a fighter in everything. That's what I like about him.
Tita Gay: Before we move on the slambook profile questions, tell us what you plan to do to get that 3 Michelin Stars.
Jiwoo: I will absorb and practice every single skill Chef Maxwell teaches us and I will use those to develop our very own signature dish— one that is very Filipino but will not fall behind its European and Asian counterparts when it comes to elegance and class.
BJ: I'm a decent baker but most of the stuff I make are European in origin. Our country's rich in desserts and pastries but they're yet to be elevated to meet the criteria of haute cuisine. I plan to use what I learn to help elevate Filipino desserts and make them known world-wide.
Alright! That's for the first part of out article! Next week we'll introduce Nico and Vivi! For now, here's a few more insider info on our handsome chefs, Jiwoo and BJ!
Name: Jiwoo Miguel Garcia Nickname: JM, Migs (but prefers to be called Jiwoo) Origin of name: Korean father's name Birthdate: November 4, 1990 Birthplace: Boracay Hometown: Boracay Residence: Buendia, Manila Alma Matter: PUP - Incomplete Favorite Music: OPM bands like UP Dharma Down Favorite TV Show: Masterchef Australia Celebrity Crush: Ann Curtis Pet Peeve: Arrogant people Hobby: Camping / Sleeping Outdoors Family: Mom, 4 half-brothers, Stepfather Fashion style: Not interested.
Name: Ben Jamin Alvarez Nickname: BJ Origin of name: spelling mistake Birthdate: November 17, 1988 Birthplace: Manila Hometown: Quezon Province Residence: BGC Alma Matter: Korea University - BS Corp. Finance Favorite Music: Sam Smith Favorite TV Show: Sotus Celebrity Crush: Krist Perawat Pet Peeve: Liars Hobby: Video Games, Reading Family: Mom, Younger brother Fashion Style: Diner Jackets are 😍
