CINDYS Raring To Expand Business on their 50th Year!

My memories of Cindys has always been awesome. With their foray into the fast food market (largely popular in the 80's), they've captured the hearts of Filipinos nationwide. I remember eating Chicken Barbecue and Palabok when Mom took me in Cubao when I was a kid. They've slowly gone in the shadows, but nope, contrary to rumors, they were never gone or closed business. They've concentrated their business in their core strength, their bakery and restaurant business which started in Tarlac City in 1972. Actually, I went there and I took home a lot of products home with me for pasalubong.

 

Yes folks, they are celebrating their 50th Year Anniversary! They made us feel we're part of the celebrations a few days ago, and memories came crashing back to me. This time, they're call is to "Savor Great Moments" as they begin expanding this year with branches in Luzon, Metro Manila . 

I am so happy they're donning the new look and I hope I would see them near my hood so I could enjoy the good baked and savory products served at their restaurant again. They may have been in the business for half a century, but they're just starting to put a foothold on the new market with these well loved items. If you're in Manila, they have one in Blumentritt and Karuhatan in Valenzuela City. You may visit their site CindysBakery.com and Facebook.com/CindysBakeryRestaurant if you want to know more where you can get those lovely ensaymadas, brownies and Taisan which I enjoyed last week. 

Here's a toast to a classic, congratulations to Cindys on your 50th year!

WARNING: The Addicting KUMORI Signature Cheese Tarts

I've been eager to have a meal in KUMORI Japanese Bakery when they set up shop in the Ground Floor of The Block in SM North Edsa. They've been in the Philippines for quite some time now and they've managed to offer natural handmade fresh quality Japanese bread, cakes and pastries all throughout their existence. They've been using the finest ingredients from Japan so you're assured to only get that certain freshness you would get as if it's from a bakery off of that country.

I heard rumors about the KUMORI Signature Cheese Tarts. I know I have an affinity to it because of the fact that it is cheese, and secondly because it's a tart (as I am totally addicted to the fruit based ones from Tagaytay). Putting cheese on tarts had me dreaming and drooling while writing this, but darn it, the rumors are true. The KUMORI Signature Cheese Tarts are legit. I am not joking.

These came in a wonderfully designed box, but the things inside were more phenomenal. It's firm but still soft on the center, while the crust was crunchy and crumbly. I could feel how freshly baked this was but as with other tarts, I wanted it to be a little cold so I made the decision to keep it inside the fridge for a couple of hours. I tried so hard not to peek, I tried so hard to stop one of my hands to actually take it out of the box and have a bite. Believe me, it was so hard.

When it was already time, I looked at how perfect they got to make the small tart. The little caramelized blisters on top already had me thinking this was sweet but once I did bite into it, it was like clouds on top of a crunchy mountain. I love how the filling still tastes like cheese. It's that mix of saltiness and sweetness that is kinda addicting. I am telling you, once I had one.... I couldn't stop. So if you're thinking about just having a bite and tasting it, you won't even notice you've already finished a whole box. It was that good.

They have these lovely KUMORI Signature Cheese Tarts available at the Lower Ground Level of SM Makati, the Basement Level of Landmark Makati and on the Ground Floor of The Block at SM North EDSA. I think people kinda hoard this particular item on their bakery so if you're passing by, make sure to grab a box and take it home. Have some while you're inside the store too so you don't have to compete with that box you're taking away haha! Trust me on the tarts!

For more information about their products:

KUMORI PH

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http://relish-group.com/kumori/

Four Basic Bakery Business Plans

There are a lot of people who are very adept at baking. They are the people who everyone calls when they need a cake for an anniversary, a going away party, or a retirement party. These are the individuals who make doughnuts that everyone could die for. Usually, when a person is good at baking, their friends are trying to encourage them to sell their baked goods for a profit. However, opening a successful bakery is a lot harder than it sounds. However, it can be done successfully with little skill and a little know-how.

When it comes to starting a successful bakery, the plan is everything. The first part of the plan must include deciding the type of bakery to open. In order to do this an individual must look at what their financial goals are with the bakery, what type of items they bake, and how much money they have at their disposal to start their bakery.

Armed with this information, a person will have to decide if they want to start one of the following four types of bakeries:

The first type is a bakery that operates primarily online. The benefit of this is that there is no storefront for the bakery. There is no rental of a bakery space. Starting on online with just a few pictures of the items you have baked on a website is a great way to start and run a bakery from home.

The second bakery option is a customer service bakery. Customers can come up to a bakery window, order what they want, and go about their day. However, this bakery does not have seats for the customers to sit in.

The third option is a specialty service. A specialty service is where you decide that you are only going to make a certain type of baked good, but you make it better than anyone else. These types of businesses can be run from home, or a person may opt to rent the space for their specialty bakery.

The final option is a sit down bakery. This is more complicated and it requires renting or buying baking equipment, including large ovens, bakery trays equipped with bakery casters, tables, chairs, and a whole host of other appliances that are needed to provide drinks and other services to your customers.

Being able to bake delicious food is a gift that not everyone has. This gift can be turned into a awesome business that can have a positive impact on a person’s life. All that it requires is a little fortitude and a good plan.

For more information about our site:

Kumagcow

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Some Freshly Baked Breads from Kumori Japanese Bakery

I don't know if you've seen a Kumori branch near you, but I have been able to in SM North Edsa's The Block at the ground floor. It's a little shack with interiors that are a little woodsy, reminiscent of a log cabin with Japanese flare. It's a Japanese franchise and if you could see, they actually use imported ingredients so they can recreate the freshly baked goodies they're pretty much known for. I had a bite or two of it just to make sure it's fresh, I kinda wanted to be in their quality assurance team and chomp my way through it but that's a long shot I guess. Just note that it really smells so good when I was around their establishment, like freshly baked breads should be. Check out these items we took home from the store!

The Cranberry Yuzu - Sweet compact bread with dried cranberry fruit pieces folded in. You can have this sliced, have a few pieces over tea or coffee. It's filling and healthy, you'll probably get needed fiber requirements for the day and vitamin C :) it's lovely!

Ciabatta - If you're into something filling, this is their Ciabatta bread. I can imagine having this during dinner in lieu of dinner rolls so I can have it toasted lightly, sliced, then dipped into extra virgin olive oil with balsamic vinegar. Or just have it with cold unsalted butter, ahh I'm imagining things. You can make this a canvass and have it in any meal, be adventurous!

This is my personal favorite, the Custard Butter Bun. The bread is super soft and when you bite into it you'll get a cold explosion of the rich egg custard swirled with milky buttercream filling. You'll be closing your eyes while having it because it's so good.

For those who want something savory, Kumori also has this Crabstick Bun. It's your favorite Japanese maki ingredient on top of a soft baked bun plus creamy Japanese mayonnaise and corn. It's a lovely combination and you can have this during tea time or a pinoy merienda. It's JapaNICE, and I'm sure the kids will too. 

For those who want something tangy and sweet, Kumori wants you to experience this Apple and Cheese Danish. It's flaky home made filo dough baked til golden brown then Apple filling plus a small amount of cheese on the bottom. You'll get that sweet, tangy, salty kind of mix in the center and that lovely Apple flavor in the end. It's like having Apple Pie on a hot summer day. I'd love this with ice cream or a sundae, perhaps a bottle of ice cold Coke on the side. Although I'd recommend the tons of drinks that they also have inside the store which are a hit with those who have experienced it. I didn't take one home because it'll melt but you can check out their Facebook page if you want to see it.

Kumori does have really good  breads, and you just have to discover it. Visit their stores now at the Lower Ground Level of SM Makati, the Basement Level of Landmark Makati and the Ground Floor of SM North EDSA's The Block. They've got freshly baked breads, awesome drinks everyday!

For more information about their breads:

Kumori Japanese Bakery

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http://relish-group.com/kumori/

Home Made Bread, Cakes, Cookies, Meals and Coffee at Kamuning Bakery Cafe

I live in a very peaceful neighborhood, right here in Kamuning, Quezon City. I know the place like the back of my hand. There are only a few places left in QC that you can say, would be still here from ages ago. One of them is the oldest city bread shop called Kamuning Bakery. I often go to this place every week because right after we celebrate mass at Sacred Heart Church, we buy bread and refreshments here. That's not about to change, well a little actually.

The 76 year old bakery that has been the go to place of politicians, artists, singers, celebrities and personalities ramped up the old shabby nook into a well designed store plus a real deal cafe. What you saw on the video is now called Kamuning Bakery Cafe which serves all the bread there, new pasta creations, Kamuning iced tea, Kamuning chicken basket and tons more. You need to go there to taste, and have it. If you're around the area or craving for something home cooked and comforting, their plated meals can do it. 

The new Kamuning Bakery Cafe I must say, is a great idea. New owner, entrepreneur and prolific writer Wilson Lee Flores boasts almost all the products that they have inside the store is cooked the old traditional way via the pugon (brick oven). He's planning to put up another pizza and chicken place by utilizing and reviving the second pugon oven right beside the store. This artisanal way of making bread has been passed on by generations. The bread called Pan de Suelo still remains to be the favorite among consumers - and even that has got history. As for me, their "just right sweetness" Egg Pie, the various cakes and pastries, the new Kamuning Chicken Basket, their Benguet Coffee, the Iced Coffee, their Blue Moon (which I think is a blend of international coffee beans) and their sisig pasta is worth ordering. The good news is, they're open til midnight. If you're up for nostalgia, good food, and great times with friends and family, this place would be a nice refuge. Take the time off and visit them at 43 Judge Jimenez Street corner K-1st Street Kamuning in Quezon City or call them 4112311, 3326066, 4151692, 4126685, 09178481818, 09228321888, 09188077777 if you would like to arrange small events as the place can fit prolly 20 people.   

Kamuning Bakery has been loved by the community since 1939, I think it's about time the whole metropolis knows about the oldest bake shop in Quezon City - and love it like we do.

For more information about their bakery:

Kamuning Bakery Since 1939

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Harina Artisan Bakery Café

There are many things that a blogger can do and one of them is eat. I don't just eat though, because I am very picky about breads. I mostly love those freshly baked ones in hotels because those are made by chef-artisans. I didn't know there was one quite near my neighborhood. This is Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe!

This quaint all day breakfast store in 118 Katipunan Avenue, White Plains in Quezon City (who has SUPERB bread sticks btw!) embraces the notion of selling only the best artisanal breads (no artificial flavors or preservatives) this side of the metro without holding back on the freshest ingredients... a word of warning, it shows on their products. We had the best ones from the menu and tried them out one quaint morning. It looked pretty good!

Brunch is special. The Iced Tea, ahm I've got to be honest. It wasn't a special brew but it was alright. It's not sweet, encourages you to eat a bit because you'll feel refreshed in a hot afternoon.

This is the Chicken Caesar Sandwich. Much like the salad dish that they wanted to emulate, it takes a whole different level if you put in on toasty, crunchy bread. That thing makes a whole lotta difference because its really good. It's not a run of the mill commercial bakeshop thing, it's all pure unadulterated bread, with all the nice greens, crispy bacon, runny egg and mouthwatering dressing.

 

This is Harina's Bloomin' Bread. I had tons of this. Imagine that fresh yeast smell pouring out on soft pillowy center and that crunch you get on the outer shell. Dip it in herbed balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Heavenly.

This is their Waldorf Salad Sandwich. Light, filling and very tasty. Bread is croissant like. I love this and imagine I could go out for brunch with a friend eating just this.

This is their Breakfast Tart. Imagine flaky puff pastry topped with cream cheese, spinach, baked tomatoes, bacon and eggs. I'd recommend this for two people but if you are a little hungry this would be so easy. 

This awesome PBB and Chocolate-Stuffed French Toast is highly recommended. It's comfort food that is contained in your dreams... then come to reality. The toasty whole wheat bread isn't bad either. For the price you pay for this breakfast, totally worth it!

Nice and light, Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast is just one of those dangerously looking calorie bombs that really isn't. We were surprised at how light and airy this was as compared to the other French Toast variant mentioned above. For health buffs, if you are to cheat... get this healthier alternative since its got fruit on it. But if an honest match goes, I'd rather choose the PBB Chocolate Stuffed French Toast because its more sinful.

Oh and if you are crazy with Cronuts, they've got their version too!

Sweet and flaky, you can get the Laminated Donuts in Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Blueberry Cheesecake variants. Good to take home.

Sweet and moist Chocolatey Brownie topped with Cream Cheese and Slivers of Fresh Strawberry and sides of sweet Red and Yellow Fruit Syrup. How can anyone say NO to this? Of course it's already gone after a few minutes!

DO NOT FORGET to take home a bunch of these scrumptious, sweet, decadent and wonderful Cinnamon Rolls. We can't have enough of this and it'll surely run out of the box in no time if you have kids or people like me looking at the box. Pretty good, another reason why you should make an effort to go and drop by the White Plains area. They are right in front of the row of the gardens on the side streets. Take my word for it and get the best artisan made products in a simple neighborhood store in Quezon City.

Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe is one place I could vouch for. For meetings, a small get together with friends and family, consider this a warning... if you don't try the place, you'll regret it.

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Harina Artisan Bakery Cafe