Len Khan’s Kitchen. We first encountered Len at the FTI Saturday market with her bottles, breads and cakes. She has moved to Salcedo Village in Makati and has expanded her line. She will be at the Buy Pinoy Fair at the SM MegaTradeHall from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4. Items come in regular packing or as beautifully wrapped gifts, for which there will be added charge. Part of her collection are Cheesy Asparagus spread, a unique combination of olive oil, cream cheese and asparagus at P200, Zesty Orange dressing which is made of the juice, pulp and rind of oranges with olive oil (the base of practically all her items) for P165/P235, Hot Mama dressing (sugar-free with capers and olives) for P165/P235, an interesting grapefruit dressing, also sugar-free and definitely healthy at same prices. Among her breads is Chorizo Bilbao at P80. Depending on one’s pleasure, Len can fill orders for baskets and boxes containing an assortment of her products from P400 to P2500. Her base is Tahanan Village. Call 809-2963 or send a fax to 842-5564.
Pasteleria Mallorca/Mega Mexicana Inc. dates back to 1956 when Pilar Reyes Gonzalez, a Capampangan housewife, known to all as Tita Pilar, started selling traditional bakery staples like brazo de mercedes, ensaimadas and a variety of cakes–chocolate, butter, mocha, chiffon. She has produced one of the country’s better chefs, Gene, and today another son Toto helps in the company that started in 2003, Mega Mexicana. As the name suggests, they are no longer limited to cakes and pastries but carry a lot more. The familiar Tarta Madrid, the classic dessert of the 50s, a flaky pastry filled with white meringue and custard, is still available (P610/P710), as are eclairs, Gateau Saint Honoree and silvanas. The Mexican line is divided into corn-based products —taco shells, tortillas and nachos, and flour-based which are thicker. Price range is between P29 to P59 a dozen. Call 373-2789 or fax 414-1857. They’re located at 18 Scout Fuentebella, Quezon City.
Casa Isabel. Their products are sold at the Barangay Bel-Air Saturday Market in Salcedo Village, an endeavor that was born from their socio-civic involvement. The Mendoza family markets bottled Aceitunas with Spanish spices at P250 a bottle, extra charge for gift-wrapping. Other baked goodies are chocolate cake for P160, butter cake at P250, Splenda Oat Meal Crispies at P130. They are in 13 Rocha, San Lorenzo. Call 817-1819.
Sweet Craft is a one-stop baking shop which would be worth visiting if you are making your own cakes, or planning to sell or give them away. You can buy in bulk, but they also retail, starting from half a kilo. Surely the sweet smell of chocolates, butter and all that make a cake delightful pervades the store. The inventory is mind-boggling but we will mention a few outstanding ones, the more common elements in baking: chocolate, white or dark, blocks are either locally manufactured or imported (Callebaut, Valrhona), sweet, butter or sugar-free. They’ve got cocoa powder as well as other items like flour (all purpose, cake, bread, glutinous rice) and flavored powder (ube, cassava, sweet potato) marsmallows (regular, twist and flower) plus all sorts of nuts (from cashew to pistachio). Don’t forget glazed fruits for those yummy Christmas cakes like Iranian dates. Any baker would know that crust extenders are practical. Choose from crushed pretzels, graham and Nestle’s cornflakes. There are substitutes as well, like butter flavor, oil and cocoa butter. They are located at 373 Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City. Call 532-1595.
Another favorite supplier is Killion Merchandising. They have a great selection of goodies, meeting every requirement for catering and family meals. Their seasoned chicken bits are flavorful. Their sotanghon (Shamrock brand) is about the best around–it does not absorb water. For the holidays, look up their turkey supply plus fruit cake ingredients such as mixed glazed mixed fruits, raisins, green and red cherries and dried apricots. They are at 40 Orozco St., Quiapo. Call them at 733-8221/25.
Now you are practically ready to do your Christmas cooking and baking. Or you can buy prepared food items which the suppliers can package in lovely ways. Start early so you don’t get harassed. Just a thought: maybe food gifts should be sent on a staggered basis, say starting December 20 to early January so people won’t find piles of fruit cakes, two or three roast chickens, etc. that would last them weeks or, at worst, they get spoiled. But that could be done only when the givers will coordinate.