Ozamiz on a plate
IF one day you will find yourself lost and a little bit hungry in the middle of Ozamiz City (Yes, that City in Misamis Occidental), you can just name this local prime food business there and voila! You’re back on track even without the aid of a GPS.
Why?
…because everyone there knows the resto. Mention “Lechon Baka (roasted cow)” and the locals there know that the best place to go is at Johann’s Cuisine which is just situated at Bañadero Highway in Ozamiz City.
The name of the resto itself had somehow become synonymous to the city as it offers great foods that are original in the place (Ozamiz on a plate, so to speak!). Johann’s Cuisine is like the northern point of the compass that aids those who are lost in the locality.
How delicious is the food they serve? Mind to hear some words from an expert about it? You’d be surprised who you’ll hear fromChef Bruce Lim (Google his name and you’ll know how renowned he is in the food industry).
“I like it (Kinilaw na Laya, a fish that is found only in Ozamiz) because it’s different. It has a flavor profile. The fish itself is fatty but it doesn’t taste malansa (fishy). Sometimes fatty fish can be quiet malansa [but this] is not and I think it is because of the Tabon-tabon (a tropical fruit). It really has this nice refreshing taste because I think it’s [because of] the Suha. It’s really good. I can’t wait to see this [in the] mainstream,” that was Chef Lim’s quick review when he was asked to comment about Kinilaw na Laya served by Johann’s Cuisine during the Dine Philippines 2016 that was held in Davao City on October 4 at the SM Lanang.
Chef Johann Dagandara, owner of Johann’s Cuisine, expressed in an interview during the Dine Philippines 2016’s food and hospitality caravan in Davao City, that he was happy about the good feedbacks they were receiving from the different Chefs who participated in the event.
“The feedbacks are very good. I am very glad at ito ay nagustuhan nila…sulit ang biyahe namin dito sa Davao [from Ozamiz City],” Chef Johann said.
Johann’s Cuisine had come a long way from where it is now. It first started in 2002 when
Chef Johann decided to pursue his culinary career after he resigned from his job at a certain bank upon realizing that it was not the kind of job that suited his interests well.
Chef Johann decided to pursue his culinary career after he resigned from his job at a certain bank upon realizing that it was not the kind of job that suited his interests well.
The Chef recalled how he had just started as a cook during “inuman (drinking spree)” with his friends where he got to serve the “pulutan (beer chow)” like kinilaw, grill, and native chiken na nilagpang, among other appetizers taken with alcohol.
“Nasarapan sila (Chef Johann’s friends), nagustuhan nila [at simula noon] madami na ang umo-order,” Chef Johann shared.
The business soon boomed after the Chef started to receive orders from his friends. It eventually blossomed as it offered catering services to the locals and even delighted guests during events conducted by the Ozamiz’s Local Government Unit (LGU).
When asked why they are highlighting the Kinilaw na Laya during the Dine Philippines 2016 food caravan, Chef Johann said that they are promoting it since the Laya fish is only a unique in the place and cannot just be caught in any parts of the country.
“Masarap talaga na isda yan kaya pino-promote po namin. Kahit anong gusto mong haing Pinoy para dyan – grill, kinilaw, sweet and sour, steamed, native style or any style – ay talagang masarap,” Chef Johann said, who apparently loves his city.
Chef Johann said that he is very thankful to Ozamiz’s LGU since it had become a great channel for their business to be recognized among the locals. That is also one reason why he is promoting the place along with their business, adding that it is a “give and take.”