SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The coronavirus pandemic did not deter a group of young entrepreneurs from venturing into the food business as they plan to open the second branch of the Scorched Smokehouse in Las Piñas after a successful launch of its flagship store along Laong Laan Road corner Asturias Street in Manila recently.
Guided by the principle of "value for money," the group led by Lenny Kaw, a certified public accountant who works as assistant vice president in a retail trade, the Scorched Smokehouse will give its customers a taste of Southern American barbecue.
"Our goal is to be the first 'fast food' and a value-for-money place for healthier smoked meats proudly cooked by Filipinos for Filipinos," the group said in a statement.
The restaurant gives a distinct smoky taste with matching flavored sauces where meats are cook low and slow.
"We at the Scorched Smokehouse cook premium American ribs and USDA beef brisket meats in as low as 190 degrees and a slow as 12 hours in a smoker. The process leaves a natural, delicious, tender and juicy meat, a real full-off-the-bone goodness," they said.
The succulent smoky-taste flavor is a combination of crafted dry rub spices and imported hickory wood chips. The smoked meats are best paired with the restaurant's homemade recipe of original blend and sweet sauces – the ultimate choice for meat lovers.
Other partners of the Scorched Smokehouse are Marlyn Chun, a realtor holding office at BGC, Leonette Uy, Daisy Yu, Michael Chua and Edwin Costes.
The young entrepreneurs plan to open as many as 10 branches in Metro Manila and Pampanga.
When not busy in the kitchen, they are actively joining outreach programs by giving free food to medical frontliners.
"Kahit na may challenges sa business because of the pandemic, we need to make our frontliners feel appreciated, Our way of saying thank you is giving good food to them," Kaw said.
Kaw expressed optimism that despite the difficult period, the Scorched Smokehouse will be opening its second branch soon at SM Hypermarket in Las Piñas City.