chef Benedict

Benedict Baladad
Manila, Philippines
Joined November 18, 2011
chef Benedict's Korean food fan interview
Occupation: chef
Interests: cooking (asian and western cuisines), arts (painting and drawing), travel (asia, europe and beyond), group exercise classes (spinning and body combat), love korean cuisine

Hi, my name is Benedict Baladad. I’m a chef from the Philippines and also comes from a good family. I love Korean food because of my Korean friends in the gym and my previous schoolmates during my high school days. And also i went to Korea during springtime of 2011. I am a chef graduated in a culinary school here in the Philippines, and has a small catering business for small parties only. I started my passion on cooking when I was young and I got to learn a lot of cuisines by watching cooking shows and reading cookbooks. I love to travel and explore places around the world. My past time is cooking, painting and arts, and of course going in a group exercise classes (such as body combat and spinning classes) in the gym everyday where i gain my Korean friends (names: Susan Cha, Rose Lee and Sue Oh) who are already full time mothers and also loves group exercise classes. Also where i got introduced to Korean cuisine by them and kept asking them what Maangchi is cooking all about and asking them what i ate and what i see and being more curious about Korean food. Also by reading cookbooks. Before, I got also my inspiration and curiosity about Korean food also because I ride an airline “Korean Air” where i first tasted “Bibimbap” (rice with beef and vegetables) on my first ride and also when I go to Korea just this year where I also ate more of this and learned more all about Korean food where i just tasted those dishes like Kalbi, Bulgogi, Dakgalbi, Sollongtang, Korean Hotpots, as their specialty. Tteokpokki and Hoddeok as their street food and and more. And I already tasted it on some Korean restaurants here in Manila, and there is also some Korean grocery stores where i got inspired. One day, my best friend named Eden who is a mother of 4, brought me in an International Family Fun Day at an International School here in Manila. In an international food sampling, where i took something in a Korean booth where a mother gave me a lot of “Yangnyeom Tongdak” which becomes one of my favorite Korean dish which i cooked for my mother’s birthday. Every Friday sometimes in the gym, my Korean friends “Susan and Rose” brought something to eat for all of us like once Rose brought “Kimbap” for us to eat to have energy for our group exercise routine, and Susan also brought “Chap Chae” and it was really good, and the other Fridays they brought “Hobakjuk” and “Songpyeon”! It was my birthday and my Rose gave me “Injeolmi” which is a very sticky rice cake. That is all for now, where I really appreciated Korean cooking very well. I also noticed that every Korean people eat Kimchi as their side dishes which is called banchan. When I watched Maangchi’s video once then i already watch all of her video recipes over and over again. Watching it so many times until I got impressed by her funny attitude. It was a pleasure when i met her on the gapshida project when she visited Manila once. During my younger years… I also watch the show in a Korean global channel “Arirang” channel before which is called “Asian Cuisine Tour” which is hosted by Korean reporters who speaks English fluently where they feature different Asian Cuisines in different parts of Asia. Plus every episode they feature Korean Cuisine in different parts of Korea so it is also the way where i was introduced to Korean Cuisine. Plus there is my favorite Korean restaurant called “Kaya” here in Manila. For me Korean Cuisine is one of my favorite cuisines around the world. It would be spicy or non spicy.

chef Benedict's comments

"and i will also put the sauce in advance before baking it and add additional gochujang and instead of sugar i will use honey! :D is it ok?"
in Fried snapper with seasoning sauce (Domi-yangnyeom-gui) — Apr/13

"wow i love that recipe but i have to healthify that no no to deep fry or pan fry i dont like frying... i will just bake it but is it ok i will use salmon fillet but baked..."
in Fried snapper with seasoning sauce (Domi-yangnyeom-gui) — Apr/13

"wow korean jelly salad really appreciating... and is that acorn jelly right?"
in Seasoned acorn jelly (Dotorimuk-muchim) — Jun/12

"hi maangchi! can i ask something for this dish called dakjjim... thats one of my favorites and i love to eat! :D can i make a seafood version of that??? and what should i use if its a seafood version???"
in Braised chicken with vegetables (Dakjjim) — Jun/12

"yes i am because it represents me... and remember its more fun in the PHILIPPINES!!! you can see some slogans in CNN sometimes... but its true long trip for me but if i can make it next time i will be there.... don't worry there are many next times. :D"
in Springtime Korean Picnic in May! — May/12

"and it will be a long flight for me will take 17 hours at the plane with some layovers... from ninoy aquino international airport in manila to JFK airport in NYC... crossing timezones and dateline... but if im there i probably will be on your bus or rent a vehicle and a driver of course... to take me to connecticut..."
in Springtime Korean Picnic in May! — May/12

"adobo- its a chicken stewed in soy sauce and vinegar with garlic peppercorn and bayleaf pancit- a stir fried egg noodles with some meat and vegetables lumpia- a spring roll whether fried or fresh halo halo- filipino patbingsu... with beans and fruits, topped with crushed ice and milk with some purple yam and creme caramel... topped with rice crispies..."
in Springtime Korean Picnic in May! — May/12

"but sorry i dont have US visa... i got denied 2 years ago... but if i can... im not going to bring korean food... of course ill bring filipino food of course to promote my filipino culture and cuisine... so if its filipino food why not to bring... my main course will be ADOBO and PANCIT!!! my appetizer would be LUMPIA!!! and my dessert will be HALO HALO!!! and bring some post cards of the philippines and promote!!! so what can you say?"
in Springtime Korean Picnic in May! — May/12

"halo halo... the one that you ate with mika and michelle, its a dessert a filipino version of patbingsu..."
in Springtime Korean Picnic in May! — May/12

"the place is so peaceful and quiet... really love it! :D i wish i was there... my aunt who is a nurse... lives in NJ and our family friend there who lives in Boston MA. if I am staying there for a vacation i will definitely go there and meet up again with you... still remember me that you said rented a driver before??? if i am coming there, i will prepare, 3 korean dishes and 1 filipino... but not sorry... i am here in manila, philippines right now... have fun there maangchi! :D if i am there... maybe i will cook... 1.) korean fried chicken (yangnyeom tongdak) 2.) japchae (korean noodles) 3.) manduguk (dumpling soup) bonus.... 1 filipino dish! HALO HALO!!!"
in Springtime Korean Picnic in May! — May/12

"new recipe... it looks like a very traditional korean dessert made by you... composes of just dried persimmons and walnuts wow! so unique... but you can also try the dried apricots wow! fantastic! :D"
in Gotgamssam (Walnuts wrapped in persimmons) — Mar/12

"wow it reminds me of gapshida philippines 2011 and its an honor that you present a filipino food and by the way adobo is a common thing in the philippines but it is our national dish... thanks for all! :D you remember me right i am the one who bring a mandu guk and korean fried chicken and with a picture who cooked a korean fried chicken instead of chicken its fish but you know the truth is you inspire me even my friends also follow you! :D"
in Chicken adobo (Adobo sa Gata) — Mar/12

"kimchi noodles wow! kimchi sauce on a noodles! how about using it with soba noodles what will it came out?"
in Bibim-guksu (Spicy mixed noodles) — Feb/12

"what kind of radish is that? and it is very rare to me... even in korea i havent find it also... but i hope i should try this dish one day."
in Ponytail kimchi (Chonggak-kimchi) — Feb/12

"i just love eating this with ice cream filling inside... chapssaldeok ice cream! strawberry flavor i just tried after the group exercise workout at the gym... trying one piece..."
in Chapssaltteok (Korean-style mochi) — Feb/12