A slice of life

MANILA, Philippines - Sam Oh and Chef Niño Logarta are condo neighbors on Q-11’s Sarap at Home. Misery is never the reason why the two yuppies click. It’s the opposites-attract adage that works wonders on their friendship. She is a career woman with a refrigerator full of food. But she doesn’t cook.

Niño, on the other hand, is a kitchen master.

“We live in adjoining condo units,” shares Chef Niño of the He Says/She Says story that spices up the new cooking show airing weekdays at 10:50 a.m., 6:20 p.m. and 9:20 p.m.; Saturdays, 2:10 p.m., 5:50 p.m. and 7:50 p.m.; and Sundays, 2:10 p.m., 5:50 p.m. and 9:20 p.m. “I would go to Sam’s place and hang out with her,” adds the chef. “Staying in her house also means spending meal times there.”

That’s the kind of daily, weekend fare Sarap at Home offers viewers who crave for something different from the staple teach-me, do-it-yourself cooking programs.

“It’s a comedy (skit),” GMA AVP for Alternative Productions Gigi Santiago-Lara differentiates Sarap at Home from Ka-Toque, Quickfire and My Favorite Recipe.

From the start, however, Q-11 cooking shows are a cut above the rest. It does away with mother or professional baker hosts and brings in a group of young, fun and energetic chefs instead. Although they are new in the profession, the new generation of chef-hosts has the expertise in cooking up gastronomic delights in the kitchen. They also own businesses and run restaurants.

How does it feel acting before the camera?

“I told my director to be patient with me,” replies Chef Niño. “I can’t act for sure. This is what I can only give in the acting department. But I enjoy the experience. It is fun.”

That best describes Sam and Chef Niño’s rapport on TV, especially when they play their roles to the hilt.

“They are natural on cam and wacky,” Gigi comments on the tandem. “Sometimes, nagkakaasaran sila talaga when they get into their characters.”

Gigi also shares that Sam and Chef Niño’s story also revolves around their crushes and former flames, heartbreaks and triumphs and daily routines. Sarap at Home also shows viewers a slice of life.

Making the show interesting are guests like Aljur Abrenica and Akihiro Sato who could lighten up every girl’s manic and bad hair day.

But before you get into the show’s brief, engaging storytelling, Sam and Chef Niño will show you how to prepare a dish for your family and friends.

Chef Niño creates recipes such as Basil Spaghetti, Tuna Nachos and Tuna Canapes using San Marino Corned Tuna and CDO Liver Spread, Mayo and Hams. Recently, the actor-hosts treated everyone to mouthwatering San Marino Chili Corned Tuna Dinamita with Guava Dipping Sauce during the Sarap at Home presscon.

Chef Niño did not disappoint. Everybody asked for another plate.