La Salle’s cutie would-be chef

The lure of becoming a chef nowadays has gotten harder to resist for many young Filipino men who are discovering the joy of being the king of the kitchen while making a lucrative career out of it and attracting some kind of respect and attention, especially from the girls.

Those who are blessed with good looks are finding themselves at an advantage as bigger opportunities often come their way, fame included.

 With his boy-next-door look and culinary passion, aspiring chef Francis Padiernos Go, one of De La Salle-College of St. Benilde’s certified heartthrobs (he even won the Benildian Idol last year), is hoping he’ll end up in the league of the Philippines’ top chefs.

At 19, this Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management (HRIM) major is damn serious about his ambition.

“This is what I want to do in life and I’m giving it my best shot,” he told Funfare before he left for the US recently with several other Benildians for an extensive six-month internship at one of America’s five-star resorts in West Virginia.

“The competition is tough that’s why you really have to focus and work harder,” said Francis.

With his eyes set on becoming a celebrity chef someday, Francis hopes to maximize his US stay and experience to learn the ropes of the trade. His internship with the Cultural Exchange Network (CENET) is under the Exchange Visitor Program authorized by the Educational & Cultural Affairs Bureau of the US Department of State.

After the program, he and his colleagues will return to Manila for their graduation middle of next year — with increased expertise in their field and a greater ability to work and live in other cultures, among other things.

“I just hope this will be the start of something big,” added Francis, a consistent honor student who was also a recipient of Best Business Plan Award at the Young Benildian Entrepreneurs Exposition.

The still unattached young bachelor hopes to someday put up his own chain of restaurants, or work in a topnotch hotel or restaurant, either in the Philippines or abroad.

“I’ve been inspired by (Scottish celebrity chef) Gordon Ramsey,” he confided. “Bata pa lang ako napapanood ko na siya and I’ve been a fan. I also have a professor (Gil Acuña) who inspires me and always brings out the best in me. He’s one of my mentors, who taught me to always go the extra mile.”

Francis is the son of retired Col. Benjamin Mance Go Jr. and Vivian Padiernos Go, herself a culinary expert. His elder brother, Benjamin Go III, 21, is an IT professional at Coca-Cola; while his younger sister, Michelle, 18, is also in college.

“I owe it to my parents to succeed because they have invested so much in me,” Francis shared. “They have been very supportive all these years because they know it’s more than a future career — it’s my passion. Wherever my dreams would lead me, it’s for them. I’m so lucky I am surrounded by a lot of good people.”

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