He’s a salesman by profession.
He used to make a decent living peddling custom-clothing, men’s suits, and office furniture. In 1994, a golden opportunity knocked on Steve Weber’s door that changed his life.
As the famous line from the hit flick Forrest Gump goes, “life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
Long accused of impersonating Tom Hanks, this Santa Clara, California-native realized that their likeness was too good to ignore.
“The teasing actually started way back in 1980. My friends would tell me that I look like the young actor in the TV show Bosom Buddies. I hadn’t watched a single episode, so I had no idea what he looked like. My impersonator wasn’t so popular at that time,” Weber says with a grin.
When the movie Forrest Gump was released in 1994, Tom Hanks became a household name and people would come to Weber and say: “Hey, buddy! You look like Tom Hanks.”
And so on Halloween of 1994, Weber put on a Gump suit, shirt and Nike Cortez to watch the movie. He astounded movie-goers with his stunning resemblance to the lead actor. The fun didn’t stop there as Weber met up with his friends after and entertained them with Forrest’s slow speech and gestures.
Forrest Gump was such a big hit that it inspired Paramount Pictures and Rusty Pelican Restaurants Inc. to open a family restaurant business with a theme based on Forrest Gump’s life, philosophy and love for shrimp.
In 1996, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. opened its first resto in Cannery Row, Monterrey, California.
Weber took advantage of the opportunity. He cut his hair, dug out his Halloween costume, and called the fledging food chain and said: “You never know who I look like.” “Initially, I just sat on the bench perched outside the restaurant with Forrest’s suitcase, and a box of chocolates. People came, sat beside me and started taking pictures. We had a blast!” recalls Weber.
When Bubba Gump opened its second restaurant in San Francisco, the officials invited Weber to join them.
“They then hired me as the spokesperson for Bubba Gump. I’d like to think that this job is similar to what I did 10 years ago. This time, I’m selling/promoting a restaurant,” he adds.
The movie, Weber admits, made a big impact on his life.
“It changed my life. It gave me the opportunity to see the world, make new friends and spread a little joy and happiness to peoples’ lives,” shares Weber.
Running all the way from California, Weber visited Bubba Gump’s Greenbelt branch in Makati to check out the resto’s new menu filled with a variety of exciting seafood dishes, and to launch the “Get Gump’d” campaign.
The campaign highlights the Bubba Gump experience that’s known for the hearty “family” portions and outstanding customer service.
“Hello! My name is Forrest. Forrest Gump. Now, we’re not strangers anymore. Those of you who think that I’m just a dumb guy dressed as Forrest Gump are half right because I’m not a smart man. But I’m the real Forrest, the one that they made a movie about. The other guy is just an actor. They only hired him because he looks like me,” jokes Weber.
Bubba Gump Restaurant and Market, the first restaurant group based on a motion picture property, is all about great food, good service, and a fun atmosphere. There are 22 restaurants in the US , 11 international branches, two of which are located right here in the Philippines (TriNoma and Greenbelt ).
Bubba Gump’s new menu boasts 13 seafood dishes with an international array of flavors. For starters, we had dynamite shrimp, and She crab soup which is a creamy blend of fresh female crabmeat, sherry and topped with caviar. We just can’t get enough of the shrimp poppers which tickled our palates with its sweet and spicy Asian glaze.
Jambalaya, a New Orleans staple, is presented in two dishes: the grilled dory with jambalaya rice, and spicy jambalaya pasta. Fans of Creole cuisine will surely love these treats.
Fresh fish from Philippine waters are given a dose of Southern American flavor. The fresh Cajun pompano (pompano) is seasoned, grilled then topped with Cajun shrimp and Bubba Gump’s signature Mayan salsa. The Mediterranean trevally (talakitok), on the other hand, is lightly pan-seared in olive oil with grape tomatoes, Kalamata olives and capers. Perfect for sharing, both dishes are served over a bed of Jasmine rice.
“I am very excited with our new menu. The Philippines has such a wonderful variety of fresh fish, which is perfect for the Fresh Catch Specials. Even the humble pompano graces the menu of many international fine-dining restos today,” enthuses Edward Henry Co, vice president of Shrimpworks Co., Inc., which owns and manages Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in the Philippines.
All-time favorites like best-ever popcorn shrimp, shrimper’s net catch, Cajun shrimp, Bubba’s after the storm “bucket of boat trash,” old-fashioned New England clam chowder, Mama’s southern fried chicken and Dixie-style baby back ribs are still available for frequent diners to enjoy.
For a sweet ending to a filling and healthy meal, we indulged in That Chocolate Thing dessert — a jar filled with warm, flourless dark chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and drizzled with raspberry sauce. Needless to say, we got gump’d by this sweet treat.
At Bubba Gump’s, guests are always in for a treat.
“Like my Mama used to say: You’re gonna figure that out for yourself. Life is a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you’re gonna get,” adds Weber.
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Visit Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. at the fourth floor of TriNoma Mall in Q.C. (916-9319), and at the second floor of Greenbelt 3, Makati City (757-5154).