The Path Beyond the Kitchen

The business journey of Kucai’s Kitchen is one of those fun little stories that started with house cooking – humming and tapping her feet a little — searing in a pan something she’d happily serve her family and probably share with some of her friends. But because the results of her dishes aren’t as superficial as those unserious moments of cooking, their distinct and delicious taste easily garnered compliments and eventually reached more people around her.

Kucai’s Kitchen

Kucai then brought her savory kitchen magic to the office, unknowingly changing her life in the process. Expecting only compliments, smiles, and a few shouts of second-serving requests, what she got in addition were inquiries and orders for party trays. She started cooking in batches and preparing dishes for birthdays, reunions, and other special gatherings. Little did she know that this simple joy of sharing her passion would pave the way for a successful business. In October 2018, she took on something she didn’t think she would.

Bottled Laing: The Crowd Favorite

Although preparing various types of dishes, what you could call a “blockbuster” is Kucai’s laing. A recipe too simple and not exactly popular was made into a dish constantly requested and craved by her customers to the point of creating a preserved version.

One of her customers who evidently loved her laing, asked if it could be bottled as a gift. Touched and inspired, Kucai, who loves hearing her customers’ requests, knew she had to fulfill this. She then underwent rigorous food processing and preservation courses and training sessions and learned everything she had to to be able to step up her cooking journey. Achieving success in this part, she has since been known as Chef Kucai and started distributing her bottled laing to resellers and clients.

Bread Pudding: The Second Star

The request for longer shelf life dishes didn’t end with bottled laing. Kucai received the same request about her bread pudding so it could be given as a Christmas gift. Her homemade dessert is now cooked in larger batches and served in great packaging — of course, with her newfound brand name on top. 

Finding the Right Community

As Kucai continued to show her culinary masterpieces to the world, it was no surprise that Iskaparate stumbled upon her popular bottled laing and placed an order. After tasting the rich flavor and high quality of the product, Iskaparate invited her to join the platform in September 2021 as a seller and help her make her products even more known as they deserve.

Kucai stated that she had no hesitation in joining the community after visiting Iskaparate’s Facebook page and finding out that joining is free, has a lot of perks, and is helpful to thousands of other startup businesses like hers.

Since then, Kucai has been able to enter many doors of opportunities. Thanks to the community’s connections and initiatives, she’s participated in bazaars and exhibits where she gained valuable exposure and new clients. She has also been able to attend free training sessions and networking opportunities that allowed her to learn more about growing her business. Due to these efforts, her products now have resellers as far as Cagayan, bringing her products to even more Filipino households.

One of the most significant opportunities came through partnerships with the Philippine Trade Training Center (PTTC) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Seminars on export processes greatly equipped Kucai with the knowledge to take her business to the next level. Though her products are not yet available internationally, the demand from overseas Filipino workers fuels her dream of exporting bottled laing in the future.

The Inspiration Behind Her Persistence

Finding inspiration in your family and friends, and even in the customers who support you, is one thing. But Kucai sees way beyond the surface. Apart from the mentioned, one of her main inspirations is her loyal resellers. Many of whom are mothers, she is motivated by the sense of fulfillment that comes with the fact that she is able to provide livelihood and ease financial hurdles. By creating products that sell well and are easy to market, she’s giving them a chance to earn and provide for their families.

The Aim to Reach Global

With the exponential increase in the popularity of her bottled laing, Overseas Filipino workers often ask where they can buy her products outside the country. While she currently explains that they aren’t yet available internationally, Kucai does feel the strong urge and desire to bring a taste of home to Filipinos around the world, thus she started finding the path towards exportation. This is what she currently focuses on — making her products available to everyone — both Filipinos and foreigners.

Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Even though taking the first steps of entrepreneurship can be daunting, Kucai boldly advises aspiring entrepreneurs to act immediately on their ideas. She affirms that waiting isn’t an option if you’ve set your mind on your goals.

Despite sounding reckless, this advice must be worthy of considering seeing that Kucai’s Kitchen has found success from being a simple cooking enthusiast. Not to mention that she is now on her journey towards worldwide operation.

Aside from following your passion, be sure to involve yourself in the right community and friendships that share the same ambitious and professional goals as you. Being so puts you in an environment where you don’t feel alone and troubled despite the seemingly scary and risky world of business.

Signature Products

Bottled Laing

Kucai’s bottled laing is rich, creamy, delicious, and beyond tasty. Spiced with chili pepper, onions, ginger, garlic, and shrimp paste, you can just imagine the burst of flavors that come with it!

Because this is in a bottle, undeniably healthy, and proven delicious, this makes it the perfect easy-to-pack school lunch for your kids.

Bread Pudding

Kucai’s bread pudding is made from freshly baked bread, milk, egg, sugar, and butter. It’s a classic favorite among people of all ages and will surely go well as a dessert with any entree. For such an affordable price, you get to have this whole tub of goodness!

Salted Egg Potato Chips

Salted egg potato chips are among the most popular potato chip flavors in the Philippines. This gives a unique and distinct yet likeable taste that makes snacking a satisfying experience!

Shop from Kucai’s Kitchen now!