Discover how this acclaimed chef is deconstructing Filipino cuisine, in the name of food security and deliciousness
It is safe to say that Chef Tatung Sarthou is not your typical chef. Sure, he is a lauded celebrity chef and a prolific cookbook author (some would say he is a serial cookbook author, even), that’s all true. There’s no denying that he is a renowned name in the culinary scene, and his acclaim is so well-deserved—the man is as tireless in his efforts as he is talented in his area of expertise, after all. But he is way more than all that: he is a stalwart teacher and staunch advocate; a dynamo who never runs out of creative ideas and ways to achieve his main mission, which is to look deeper into food security in the Philippines. And he does this with deep dedication, next-level deliciousness, and an endearing sense of humor.
To this end, he is releasing two follow-up books to his bestselling Simpol The Cookbook (which, incidentally, was nominated in two categories at the World Gourmand Awards in Paris, France in June 2021): Simpol Kitchen Secrets and Baking Simpol.
Helping Filipinos eat well
At the heart of Chef Tatung’s endeavors is a goal that is virtuous and sumptuous, in equal measure, and this is to help Filipinos eat well. This, to him, is the launching pad for Filipino cuisine to gain the international recognition that has, thus far, seemingly eluded those who seek it. “We should stop obsessing on Filipino food gaining international recognition. I think we should concentrate on making sure that all Filipinos eat well, and look deeper into food security and the protection of our environment, to ensure that we also protect the diversity that makes our cuisine unique,” Chef Tatung emphasizes, and rightfully so. “When we have found the right balance of feeding our people and teaching them to cook well, the world will realize how great Filipino food is and want to eat the same food Filipinos eat in their own homes,” he adds.
As such, his cookbooks are brimming with recipes that are practical, palatable (highly so!), and perfectly possible to replicate at home; moreover, with tried-and-tested tips and techniques to help even the most novice of cooks hone their kitchen smarts.
Treasure troves of tasty tidbits
To coax people along their cooking journey, Chef Tatung’s latest cookbook offerings provide priceless insight into what makes a recipe work and how to make it work. Simpol Kitchen Secrets is a guidebook of cooking skills and methods in which Chef Tatung breaks down the fundamental principles of the culinary arts into bite-sized, easy-to-digest pieces, for everyone’s ease of reference. This gem of a cookbook-meets-culinary-handbook contains over 100 recipes, 200 kitchen tips, and 600 colored photos and artwork. Baking Simpol, on the other hand, is a cookbook with 100 recipes for desserts, breads, and pastries, which showcase Chef Tatung’s inventive versions of Filipino dessert classics. As always, each recipe has been tested multiple times in chef’s R&D kitchen, just about ensuring easy and effective replication at home.
A play on the word “simple,” the recipes in the Simpol series are easy, economical, time-saving, and bursting with the wonderful flavors of homegrown cuisine, while highlighting how recipes are similar around the world. “The response of our readers has been very overwhelming. Their appreciation and gratitude to us for making the cookbooks are testaments to how our work has impacted home cooks and their families, especially during the pandemic,” Chef Tatung shares.
The advocacy levels up
Both books are published by Vertikal Books, Chef Tatung’s latest venture with business partner, Eds Capili. The publishing house itself is a marvel; a one-stop-shop for culinary books, which takes each book from end-to-end of the process: from recipe development and testing, to product photography, publishing, and marketing of the finished product. All in the name of making good, efficient home cooking accessible to more people.
“I think that Simpol has always tried to create recipes that provide meal solutions to Filipinos, especially in these unique and very challenging times. We try to create content that attempts to help home cooks feed their families deliciously, even if they are on a budget. We have been very supportive, as well, of agricultural initiatives, and education drives which empower homemakers to feed their families better food,” Chef Tatung expounds.
Interested in expanding your cooking skills or flexing your cooking chops? Perhaps you wish to know more about what makes Filipino dishes and desserts so hearty and comforting? Grab a copy of Kitchen Secrets, available from November 30, and Baking Simpol, available from December 8 on e-commerce platforms like Lazada, Shopee, Amazon and Ebay, as well as at National Bookstore branches. At under P400 per cookbook, these not only make for helpful handbooks at home, but also for thoughtful and tasteful holiday presents!
And that’s the ‘simpol’ truth.
