035 Rafael Vencio: Innovating Filipino Flavors in Pittsburgh

(01:00) Rafael Vencio shares his journey of rekindling his cultural roots through pop-ups that spotlight Filipino cuisine, with a touch of modern flair.  From smoked pate-filled lumpia to reimagined pandesal, he is rewriting the narrative of traditional Filipino dishes with a creative twist, while on his ultimate journey to a spring restaurant opening on the Northside.(15:41) Join us as Chef Vencio takes us through his personal story, reflecting on his life growing up with four brothers in the Philippines and his adventures in the Pittsburgh food scene. His nickname "Amboy" has become a badge of honor rather than a tease, marking his integration of Filipino and American cultures. We explore how his friendships in local culinary spaces flourished into pop-up events, introducing Filipino cuisine with a contemporary edge. This journey also led him to urban farming, where he cultivated unique crops that brought a slice of Filipino flavor to Pittsburgh’s community.(34:00) Also, we savor the delights of Seoul Korean BBQ in Carnegie with Chantal and Alex Huff, and Erika Bruce from Third Space Bakery shares her secrets to crafting the perfect deep-dish apple pie, right down to the all-butter crust. Tune in for a flavorful episode where cultural cuisine, heartfelt stories, and culinary innovation come together deliciously.Support the show