Between you and me, my favorite childhood meals have remained in my memories, which I still oddly recall today!

For then-young Kevin Christian G. Ereneta, some of his earliest recollections of food came from diligently watching family members prepare meals at home. He endlessly asked questions during the busy ongoing kitchen rituals. He remembered his grandmother and uncle baking cinnamon rolls, cooking Bicol Express, and other Bicolano favorites, wherein he constantly inquired, “Ano po ang mga nilalagay po ninyo sa pagkain (What do you put in the food)?”

Chef Kevin admitted his love for cooking grew gradually. As a child, he frequently requested his parents to dine at restaurants, for he was intrigued by the plating and flavors of different dishes. Meanwhile, at home, he experimented with whatever ingredients available. Needless to say, though, several good-intentioned attempts predictably failed!

His doting parents nonetheless encouraged his interest and occasionally taught him recipes themselves. One of his first successes was sarsiadong isda at seven years old! The spark was ignited and evolved into a serious devotion and dedication.

An alum of La Salle Green Hills, he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management majoring in Culinary Arts at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The God-fearing chef later completed a Master of Science degree majoring in Food Science at the University of Santo Tomas.