Thank you!

Through the years, there is this group of people, and establishments as well, that have been instrumental in the pursuit of our mission to assist men and women in their culinary needs, most especially sourcing ingredients. It is time for us to acknowledge them with a big, big “thank you”!

My sources include family and friends – Ate who was always willing to come along, wherever and whenever she was asked. Usually she would also have helpful comments, as she is also a competent cook and excellent homemaker. My brother Ding, always with some new discoveries. Friend Sonia, who enjoys good food and is our regular partner in exploring wet markets, restaurants and malls.

The professionals, the men and women who are in direct contact with customers, always willing to accommodate and assist buyers, and even taking the customer’s ire when a difficult situation comes about. They are efficient, friendly and helpful. There’s Rachel of Shopwise, ready with a cup of hot coffee and a pastry for their Elite members, and Roland, the store manager, on call anytime a customer wants to see the manager, and the smiling Cecile. Plus all their cashiers and bag boys. 

There’s Babee at South Supermarket in Muntinlupa, within the Filinvest area, checking if one has found everything and Venus at their fish section, ever attentive. Jo of Makati Supermarket in Alabang, ready to go to the warehouse for an item not on their racks. The staff of the SM chain, those unnamed  men and women who are always gracious and helpful.The meat sellers at the Pure Gold chain, as well.

Estela at Ayala Alabang Saturday Market from whom we got new ways to cook prawns, which she sells at a much lower cost. Husband and wife meat suppliers Nestor and Lily at the Muntinlupa wet market, a duo who takes orders by phone. The many unnamed men and women in all food outlets.

We apologize to the others whose names we failed to get.

We also express our appreciation to the many readers who have, through their e-mail messages, assisted us in our resolve to try and do better.

Now, let’s look at 2009. The price of gasoline has been slashed. But when does the average consumer feel the effect in consumer products? Slowly we are. Rice is much cheaper now than a few weeks ago. We could get pork at less than P160, with beef a few pesos less than P230 in the wet markets. We will have to check the bigger stores, chicken still commands a higher price, going from P118 at kilo.

  What did you do with all the holiday food gifts that you got? Hopefully, you gave some of them away, since definitely you and your family won’t be able to consume all of them. The freeze-able ones like hams and sausages must be cut, placed in food savers and stored in serving sizes. Recycle cooked food. This way, nothing is wasted.

As we all face a new year, let’s review our expenses. Where can we save? Do we really need to buy in big quantities? Avoid food wastage and only cook what the family  can consume. Cook healthy. Do more vegetables dishes and have fruits all the time.  

Let’s look forward to a better and more nutritious New Year.

E-mail comments and questions to: [email protected]