Filipino sauce maker making good in Japan

Filipino sauce maker, Guaranfood Manufacturing, is launching next month its three new fruit-based dips and sauces namely Tamarind sauce, Green Mango sauce and Carrot sauce, at the International Food Expo in Japan.

At the company brochure to be distributed at the International Food Expo in Japan this March, the three dips are recommended for: chili crabs in sweet & spicy carrot sauce; spicy prawns in sweet & spicy green mango sauce; and yakitori with sweet & spicy tamarind sauce.

Guaranfood is joining 13 other Filipino companies that will exhibit their products at the IFE, under the sponsorship of the Japan Economic and Trade Office (JETRO) and CITEM (or the Center for International Trade Exhibitions and Missions).

"JETRO asked me to prepare three-sauce mix that is unique and easily adaptable as dips or sauces for food or preparations," Clarissa A. Cavera, Guaranfood proprietor said.

Last year, the company participated in the food expo where it first launched the Lola Panyang brand of sauces initially for sarsa ng lechon, spicy cane vinegar and sweet chili. Its entries this year also carry the Lola Panyang brand.

"I sought the help of the Department of Agriculture in Region 4 – where our plant is located – to source our requirements for tamarind, carrots and green mangos," Cavera said.

Cavera started Guaranfood in 1988 at her 52-sq.m. lot in San Pablo City, Laguna first as a California ham maker. But the following year it shifted to the production of condiments like patis, toyo and vinegar making. It started with a minimal capital – mainly stove and kitchen needs and her immediate family as her help.

In 1995, the company transferred its operation to its existing location in a 2,173 sq.m. property strategically located where it manufactures dressings that it toll packs for food chains like Pizza Hut (which now produces its own), Tropical Hut, MLM Foods, Bread Confection, VWA Marketing, FoodStar Inc.., PDS Philippines Inc., PTC, KFC, Big Mak and Franks & Burger, Bigg’s food chains and its Bigg Topp’s outlets.

Its current products include all purpose dressing, sandwich spread, wasabi dressing, sweet pickle chips, sweet pickle relish, sweet whole pickles, banana ketchup, tomato catsup, tomato sauce, cane vinegar, hot sauce, tuna spread, and chicken spread.

Since Cavera is a member of the Philippine Food Producers and Exporters Association (Philfoodex), her company participates regularly at the Food Show of Philfoodex at the Megamall.

Aside from the Food Show of Philfoodex, Guaranfood also participates at the Food Fair at the World Trade Center and the Asian Ethnic Food Fair.

Guaranfood is now being sold abroad through the American bases and in Japan, through the yearly food shows where big orders normally come.

At the recently-concluded Philfoodex Food Show at Megatrade, Australian-based Filipino businessmen negotiated for the toll packing of special spreads and sauces to be marketed there.

With the growing demand for its quality food products, Guaranfood shifted from a backyard-type operation to a fully commercialized food processing business.

The plant is equipped with machinery and equipment operated mechanically through a central control system. It has a complete in-line steamed jacketed kettles for the production of condiments. It also has a complete in-line processing equipment for its dressing operations.

In December 2000, Guaranfood received an award from the Technology and Livelihood Resource Center for Balikatan sa Kabuhayan/Urban Livelihood Financing for small and medium enterprises.

And in February 2001, Cavera herself received the TLRC tribute for outstanding micro entrepreneurs for her exemplary values, leadership and entrepreneurial qualities that contributed to the sustained growth of the company.