I usually stay in bed longer on a Saturday but this time I was up early and excited to ride the MRT to visit All About Baking in SM North EDSA, as Iskaparate.com hosted its second free culinary class of the year. The “Grand Lunar Feast“ Chinese Delicacy Cooking Workshop, featuring Chef Cathy Yu of Save Bakery and Café Philippines, was a celebration of the upcoming Lunar New Year, but it was also a showcase of something more: Iskaparate.com’s commitment to empowering small businesses.
This free class,is one of the perks for subscribers of Iskaparate.com. DTC Promos Inc.hosted a giveaway to lucky winners for a chance to learn the secrets behind seven delectable sweet and savory dishes, from Huat Huat Noodles to Easy Egg Tarts. Generous sponsors like Arla, Klio, RFM Corporation, and Sysu International provided the ingredients and tools, while the stars of the show were undoubtedly the Unox BAKERLUX SHOP.Pro™ LED and TOUCH ovens. The ovens, with their digital panels and humidity control, demonstrated the power of modern cooking technology, enabling techniques beyond the reach of traditional combi-ovens.
Chef Yu, with her warm smile and infectious enthusiasm, guided each group through the recipes, sharing tips and tricks honed over years of experience. From the delicate art of folding gyoza to the precise timing required for the perfect Pineapple Pastry, she made even the most intricate steps seem achievable. Laughter and friendly competition filled the air as each group tackled the same dishes, comparing notes and offering encouragement.
The Huat Huat Noodles, symbolizing long life and prosperity, were a particular highlight. Chef Yu demonstrated the proper technique for stir-frying the noodles to achieve that perfect “wok hei” – the breath of the wok – a skill that had everyone mesmerized. The Baked Honey Pork Steak Char Siu, with its glistening glaze and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, was another crowd-pleaser. Chef Yu revealed the secret to its succulence: a slow and patient roasting process, made effortless by the Unox BAKERLUX SHOP.Pro™ ovens.
These innovative ovens, with their digital panels and humidity control, were truly the stars of the show. They demonstrated the power of modern cooking technology, enabling techniques beyond the reach of traditional combi-ovens. The Unox ovens ensured consistent results across all three groups, a testament to their precision and versatility. Even the seemingly simple Easy Egg Tarts became a lesson in pastry perfection, thanks to Chef Yu’s expert guidance and the even baking provided by the Unox ovens.
The workshop wasn’t just about following instructions; it was about understanding the “why” behind each step. Chef Yu explained the science behind the each step, the importance of measurement, and the subtle nuances of flavor pairing. She shared tips, like different ways of cooking gyoza and the importance of resting the dough for the almond cookies to achieve that perfect crumbly texture.
The joy of cooking together, the shared sense of accomplishment when each group presented their creations, and the delicious feast that followed – it was an experience to remember. Many attendees expressed surprise at how much they had learned in just a few hours, and how much fun they had along the way.
This event marked the second collaboration between Iskaparate.com, All About Baking, Unox, and Chef Yu, following their successful Christmas Mooncake Workshop last November. Building on the momentum of their popular Chocolate-Making Class earlier this month, Iskaparate.com is carving a unique niche for itself in the online marketplace landscape.
But the “Grand Lunar Feast” wasn’t just about delicious food. It was also an opportunity for Iskaparate.com to unveil two exciting new programs: RAVE – Refer a Vendor and TAP – Tell A Pal. DTC Promos Inc. President & COO Marissa Dames explained how these initiatives are designed to foster growth within the Iskaparate.com community.
- RAVE encourages individuals to introduce entrepreneurs to the platform, offering a commission on every sale made by the referred vendor. This program is ideal for content creators and those with connections to larger companies, providing a direct incentive to expand the Iskaparate.com seller network.
- TAP, on the other hand, is a broader affiliate program that allows anyone to promote products from the website and earn commissions. Managed through the ReferralPulse platform, TAP provides affiliates with a personal dashboard to track their engagements and earnings. This program is particularly beneficial for those passionate about supporting small vendors and sharing a wide range of products.
While many online marketplaces focus solely on sales and exposure, Iskaparate.com is taking a different approach. They are actively building a supportive ecosystem for small business owners, while simultaneously offering consumers new features and programs that transform online shopping into a learning experience. The “Grand Lunar Feast” was a testament to this philosophy, a delicious blend of culinary education and entrepreneurial opportunity, seasoned with the spirit of community.
