Inspiring stories from the kitchen

MANILA, Philippines - A dizzying array of cooking shows is enjoying ample airtime on TV these days. Each has its own style of catching televiewers’ interest by going beyond the usual “prepare, cook and present” mouth-watering dishes that can easily be made at home.

Some cooking shows have celebrity guests whipping up delectable recipes alongside resident chef while others target people on the go by coming up with satisfying meals for just a couple of minutes or less. And still there are few that hold competitions for a dash of excitement. But these are fast turning out to be “usual spices” that would eventually lead televiewers to exclaim “ho-hum!” than “ummm!”

A new approach is about to unfold when ABS-CBN and San Miguel Purefoods’ Kuwentong Kusina, Kuwentong Buhay begins airing tomorrow, June 23 at 9:30 a.m. Toni Gonzaga will host the Sunday morning program.

San Miguel Purefoods exec Alden Castañeda says that Toni’s excellent rapport with the viewers makes her perfect for the task as the show will not solely focus on food. Kuwentong Kusina, Kuwentong Buhay will present inspiring real-life stories from letter senders with the recipes that are special and “meaningful” to them.

“If you’ll notice, some cooking shows just focus on the dish while in our show, it’s not just about how we prepare food in the kitchen but it is also about a person’s life. We will find out how through food, his life has become more meaningful. Then we will cook a special dish for the person who inspires the letter sender,” says Toni.

In the pilot episode, televiewers will see how former street kid Rommel’s life has changed through Bro. Joel who brought and took good care of him at He Cares Foundation. Toni, with the help of chef Gene Gonzales, will cook kare-kare, Bro. Joel’s favorite dish.  

Each week, one Kapamilya star and a guest celebrity chef will be working in the kitchen with Toni as they prepare dishes for the letter sender’s family. Toni will also scour the country for more inspiring stories and delectable dishes. “We will not be confined in the studio as we will travel around the country to present to you different people and recipes. Iba-ibang klase din ng kusina ang makikita natin.”

For someone who is fond of watching cooking shows on lifestyle channels, with celebrity chef Bobby Flay as one of her favorite culinary masters, Toni delights in gaining new knowledge in the kitchen. “I got fascinated by watching cooking shows because I’m trying to do them (dishes) on my own and I’m amused at how they come up with different kinds of dishes.”

Not everybody knows that Toni took some cooking lessons at the Center for Culinary Arts. It was an anniversary gift from her beau, director Paul Soriano, last year. “I told him I don’t want material things, I want something different na may pwede akong matutunan and since he knows that I’m fond of cooking, he enrolled me in baking and cooking lessons,” shares Toni.

In fact, she let everyone taste her homemade vanilla cupcakes with butter frosting with chef Gene and Heny Sison giving her a two thumbs-up.

But Toni denies her interest in cooking has something to do with her marriage plans. “They say that when a woman becomes eager to learn how to cook, it means she’s preparing to settle down but not in my case. But of course, learning how to cook is a good way to prepare because I want to make good food for my family. It’s one way of showing my love for them.”

Does Paul never get tired of waiting? They will be marking their seventh year as a couple this month. “There are times na naiinip na rin s’ya; inip na inip na rin pero kasi there are some stipulations in my contract that I have to oblige. Paul knows that I still have lots of things to do and he understands (the situation).”

But what if one day, Paul proposes marriage to her? “Darating at darating din naman tayo dyan sa pag-aasawa. So kahit matapos o hindi ang kontrata, sige, go!” replies Toni without hesitation.

For the meantime, see how Toni will fare in the kitchen as the 10-episode cooking show begins tomorrow.