‘Food for thought’ from Chef JR Royol

Treating viewers to unique culinary journeys is what Chef JR Royol will wholeheartedly do starting tomorrow (Feb. 21) night at 6:15, via Farm To Table on GMA News TV. He also gives everyone “food for thought” on food preparation, delectable dishes and the different sectors behind the “food supply chain.” Chef JR is about to satiate your craving for food information the way he knows it.

“Even if we (retrace) my career in the hospitality industry, it is something that I’m very conscious and very aware to integrate in my menu (and the dishes I make),” replied Chef JR when inquired if his show’s title speaks of an advocacy to support the country’s agricultural industry by tapping local suppliers for ingredients in a virtual media conference, “although it was not 100 percent na everytime na mapupunta ako sa hotels.”

One agrees with him since establishments source out ingredients from here and abroad to secure their supply. “I was fortunate enough that many people I worked with were supportive of this advocacy,” added he. “I used to tap organic farms, yung mga samahan ng mga farmers natin, sila yung nakatrabaho ko even before.” By the way, Chef JR is also a farmer himself.

Farm To Table will somehow remind everyone how the food we partake reaches the market and our homes as the cooking show narrates the from-root-to-plate story.

“Another good thing that I appreciate about the concept of the show is the willingness of the team to share the limelight with the other important, integral key players of the whole food and beverage industry,” said Chef JR. “(Again) they are the farmers and the fishermen. I think it’s high time that we get to highlight their contribution to the industry.” Chef JR will be the viewers’ point person as he visits farms to see how fresh ingredients are grown and harvested, cooked and plated into delicious meals.

Is he comfortable to be called food explorer? Chef JR’s answer was in the affirmative.

“I really explore, I need to discover and learn (new things),” he said. “Hindi ako pwedeng maging masaya lang kung ano yung natutunan ko sa culinary school, kung ano yung natutunan ko from other colleagues (I should not be happy or content with what I have learned from school and colleagues). It has to be (a conscious effort) that I need to learn more.”

Exploration in one’s field keeps Chef JR relevant to the ever-changing landscape of the culinary industry and creative to share new learnings with the audiences.

JR and the Farm To Table team also espouse the idea that food is culture. The ingredients and the cooking styles presented in the show are part of viewers’ Filipino identity. They want to introduce it to children and inspire parents to begin the work.

“(Parents should) help kids explore and see that there’s such a culture that exists in our country,” he said. Filipino food is something viewers, especially the young ones, must not forget. Through the food adventures Farm To Table embarks on, Chef JR is there to remind everyone.

(Farm To Table is also available on GMA Life TV for viewers abroad. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.)