“Filipino food is not really known like that, especially in Indiana, so we wanted to bring something new.”
This week on the show, we visit with the owners of Pinoy Garden Cafe. They talk about what it means to them to bring authentic Filipino cuisine to Bloomington, Indiana and they share a recipe for vegetarian lumpia, a Filipino style spring roll that locals can’t seem to get enough of.
Plus a story from Harvest Public Media about funding challenges in agriculture research, at a time when it’s needed most.
While I love to cook, I can’t imagine trying to start a food business. I know it takes more than passion and I don’t have a strong enough business sense to make it work. For that reason, I am always fascinated by stories of people who are willing to take that chance. A few years ago we had a series about small food business start-ups called Making the Leap. My guests today would certainly be a perfect fit for that series.
Maria St.Clair and her son Chris Manansala made the leap. Their story belongs in a long tradition of immigrant families starting a new life, in a new place, and in this case, sharing their food with their new community.They launched Pinoy Garden Cafe on April 2nd of 2022, starting with a booth at the Bloomington Community Farmers Market then branching out to other events and catering.
In this week's episode, we talk with Chris about the founding of Pinoy Garden Cafe, and about what it means to them to share Filipino food with the Bloomington community. We drop into the the kitchen with Maria and Chris at One World KitchenShare and they walk through the steps of making vegetarian Lumpia.
Update:
Since we first aired this interview at the end of 2022, Pinoy Garden cafe has really taken off.
In April of 2024 they realized their dream of opening a food truck–or more accurately, a trailer. This summer they were a big hit at the popular food festival, Taste of Indy. This Fall they landed an exciting gig as the KeyBank Guest Chef at Gainbridge Stadium for Indiana Pacers home games. They are the first Filipino vendors inside the arena and they have been selling out!
Chris’s younger sister Kate is following in her brother’s footsteps. She started her own business, Ube Love, featuring sweet treats made with Ube, the purple yam popular in the Philippines. Everything she makes is a gorgeous shade of purple–and she got started while still in high school!
I hope to have a chance to feature Ube Love on Earth Eats in the future, so stay tuned.
Also, be sure to check out the video we made with Producer Payton Whaley where Chris Manansala of Pinoy Garden cafe whips up their ever-popular Halo Halo. It's a colorful icey drink that is full of surprises.
Music on this episode
The Earth Eats theme music is composed by Erin Tobey and performed by Erin and Matt Tobey.
Additional music on this episode from Universal Production Music.
