CHEFSGIVING was AMAZING and Random Thoughts

Hi friends!

Happy December! Where did 2017 go? Again the holiday season has crept up on me, but I am definitely ready for the new year.  When I run into people these days, people ask what I am up to. I am proud to say that I am taking a "break" in December. Just focusing on work and school for the time being. I have a project I am working on that is happening in January, but I will update on that later.

My workplace has been turned upside down with the announcement of my manager's departure last month. I am nervous because my work will be scrutinized differently and I expect to be asked to do more by the physicians I work for. I mean, I have been at my job for 10 years! Technically, 1/10/18, but I think I have been there long enough to figure things out on my own. Right?! Haha, we shall see how this new arrangement goes at work.

School has been great. Met with some classmates who I work very well with. I honestly have been dreading this essay and PowerPoint presentation due this Monday, but I expect to slay. Wish me luck!

So let's go back to Chefsgiving that happened on November 20 at Bao Down in San Francisco. Thank you, Matt of Bao Down for letting us use your space. It impressed so many people. It was vibrant and so welcoming. Here are some pictures from my friend Dennis Chan.

The night before the dinner, I was at a coffee shop in San Bruno trying to finish my homework and tightening up any loose ends for the event. Then the worst thing happened: OVERNIGHT I GOT SICK. To the point that I could not make myself go to work. I had a throat infection and I was coughing up some nastiness. Francis asked for my husband to go to his place at 11:00 pm (!!!) to pick up some antibiotics. Pair that with a double-dose of Theraflu and a shot of lambanog and I felt a little alive. There was no way I could host and speak to the crowd because my throat hurt a lot, so thank goodness for my friends, Kim, Em and John who came and helped me out that day. I wish I did not get sick, but it was my body telling me to slow down and rest. But because of this sickness, I refused to go on camera for anything. It was for the best because I looked like a hot mess anyway. I was sweating! I guess the Theraflu was doing it's job.

Thanks to my old friend Rommel for featuring the event on Balitang America!

To say the least, Chefsgiving was a success. We raised a little bit of money for Undocufund, and I will be sending them a nice check next week after I finish up some last minute accounting.  Thank you to all the chefs, sponsors, and volunteers for making this event happen. I am still a little sick and I bit slow at following up, but I will be reaching out to you all in the next few days.

There's even interest in making Chefsgiving an annual event. I am totally for that. Because of this event, many people there asked about who the chefs were and how they can attend their events. In response to that, I have created a public Facebook page for the Kusinero Alliance, which can be accessed by clicking the banner below:

It is about time the Filipino cooking community in the San Francisco gets some shine. Many folks within this group, like Dom and Tim, have been cooking in the Bay for over a decade. I have been working with them for a little over 5 years. I don't intend on stopping. Any. Time. Soon.

I am so proud of this group and I will work with them for as long as they have me. It's been a passion of mine to promote the food that I grew up with. It has also been an interest of mine to see how Filipino food progresses here in the States. I am excited to see several coalitions in the country form and share a common goal. Shouts to Barkada in LA and ILAW in the Pacific Northwest. I look forward to meeting all of you some day!

Alas, it is time for bed. I really am taking this "rest" thing seriously. I am not going out as much and I have been coming straight home after work. Today, I stayed in bed all day because I am still feeling under the weather. I blame this full supermoon! I just hope that the rest of 2017 takes it easy on me. I am looking at 2018 and I see so much happening, but I know I have to set up borders for myself. 

2018 will be the year of adulting for me, ladies and gentlemen. I am a bit scared, yet excited. 

Hope you will join me then.

xoxo,
Jo