Phew! Tallying 540 comments in less time than Namfrel puts out election results is a bit of a feat! Thank goodness an assistant of mine kept track of the comments, though he was a bit confused by noncommittal responses or those straddling all four choices… So here are the somewhat surprising results and my reactions to them:
A. “Writing a cookbook” garnered the second largest number of votes, or 176 readers choosing this, or roughly 32.5% of total responses. I am flattered to say the least, and yes, have always wanted to write a cookbook, but every time I sit down to do it, I tear my hair out after just 2-3 recipes written the “way they should be”… I have several dozen recipes already, but nowhere near several hundred needed for a book. I do intend to do it eventually, but maybe start that later this year, so this was NOT the correct answer to the poll.
B. “Marketman doing stints in related media like newspapers, magazines or television” got the most number of votes (truly shocking for me) with 202 readers choosing this answer, or roughly 37.5% of total responses. Perhaps I misled with recent posts on Pinoy Junior Masterchef, but maybe this is also a reflection of more votes from “recent” readers, who haven’t read many of my earlier posts that display a serious dislike of cameras, a desire to remain fairly anonymous, etc. I guess this is very much still a possibility (currently still talking to several folks in these areas) but apparently speaking straight English, crooked Filipino and no Taglish slang is a serious hindrance to one’s media appeal… :) So no, this was NOT the correct answer to the poll, but stay tuned on this front, I don’t know what will happen in the months ahead.
C. “Marketman (and Crew) will open a lechon restaurant” was picked by only 75 readers outright, or 13.8% of total responses. THIS IS THE CORRECT ANSWER! Egads, how could such a small percentage get into the running for a modest prize which doesn’t seem so modest now given the odds. Your chances of winning the prize are now just 1 in 75. To amuse you, assume you were in grand lotto and your odds of winning were say 1 in 26 million, then if you scaled this promo up, then your PHP4,000 peso prize is like winning PHP1.39 billion pesos! Hahaha. How’s that for making a mountain out of a mole hill?
D. “Marketman going on a long vacation” got 38 votes or 7% of total responses. It’s not farfetched as the summer is upon us, but we have no such long vacation currently planned.
E. 50 votes or 9.2% fell into the none of the above categories or were just too confusing to tally.
So what gives? Marketman and crew are not only opening ONE, but TWO simple lechon restaurants in CEBU CITY by mid- to late- May 2011. We have signed the leases on spaces, and are currently finalizing our designs. It’s a long road to the first day of resturant operations, but you will hear about the journey on this blog in intermittent updates or posts on the restaurant adventure. Those of you who remember my first post on building a lechonan years ago (that was the beginning of a whole lechon odyssey on this blog) will see the entire history from the kernel of an idea to an actual operating business. It’s exciting but also seriously scary.
And just when all the planets seem to be in alignment lechon wise, we have recently received wonderful news. For Zubuchon so far, we have NEVER used comments from Mr. Anthony Bourdain in our company materials, advertising, etc. We have put a photo of the crew with Mr. Bourdain at our outlets but it has really been the press that has made that close association without much prodding from us at all. But now that things are getting more serious, a year’s worth of hesitation to ask Mr. Bourdain for his permission to use his quote about our lechons led to a simple email sent last week…
And his immediate response?
Paraphrased… “Sure, of course, go ahead and use my quote. More than happy to help the crew out. Good luck with the new business.” We were ecstatic. So with Mr. Bourdain’s approval, we are now truly proud to say…
“Best Pig, Ever!” – Anthony Bourdain
The crew are simply over the moon. We look forward to seeing all of you at the restaurant(s) in the months ahead. Wish us luck. We will need it along with a whole lot of hard work. The prize winner will be selected and announced soon. :)
161 Responses
Dang, I got it wrong! I chose A but I am sooo happy and thrilled for you MM! WHERE will your restaurant be MM? I’ll be in Manila in June so I will definitely look forward to this!
Lannie, both in Cebu, unfortunately for you… Have to edit post to reflect that.
Please open in Manila? :)
Edit: I posted this just after the first comment, sayang! Here’s to hoping for a Manila branch. :) Good luck!
hi MM! even though i know of your dislike of cameras, i did think that the chance to help mold and promote food/cooking in general might have been enough of an inducement :-) i did hope that it would be C! and so really happy to hear that it is actually the winning choice. When you say 2 lechon places, does this mean 1 in cebu and 1 in manila?
apparently, i wasn’t quick enough to post and have just seen your reply MM — i’ll add my plea to Karina’s – please open one in Manila :-)
too be bad it’s going to be in cebu! hoping to have some when we go home for vacation. was just watching the no reservations-phils. episode last night with my husband (i swear!!) and the crackling sound of the lechon made me want to go home!!
Whaaaaaa….talo, pero I am happy. Kaya lang sa Cebu pala yan, maybe I really need to go Cebu when I come to Pinas next year, just to get your Zubuchon, and then maybe the staff can tell me where else to go in Cebu. Congratulations.
Woot! Restaurant it is!! And with Anthony Bourdain’s testimony to boot! But dang, MM, we can’t wait for a Metro Manila branch! Haha. But well, double woot! I’m included in the raffle! :))
I lost,but at least I had fun guessing:)
Congratulations MM and wishing you all the success on yr new venture!
Sad to know that the restaurants are both in Cebu =(
I was hoping pa naman one would be in Global City hehe, we live just around there kasi. And the book… we will wait for it MM, definitely!
And though I didn’t get the right answer, I wish you and the crew best of luck on your next project. Cebuanos are so lucky, huh!
Things begin to add up – in retrospect, those frequent trips to Cebu should have clued us in to that possibility. Praying for all success and good things to come!!!
HI EVERYONE, our production facility is in CEBU, and opening one in MANILA is a MAJOR production, so I don’t think Manila is in the cards until we prove the restaurants work in Cebu… Many thanks for your kind encouragement… :)
Plus the added endorsement of Mr. Anthony Bourdain!! Best pig ever!!
Maybe opening one in the Gallery in Mabolo, so its close to the Corner Table.
Yehey:) Not one but two restaurant in Cebu. When??? so I can book my flight to Cebu.
Wow I’m surprised! I would have thought B as well. But aren’t you a little too optimistic that this will keep you busy for the next 3 months only? =) Maybe a year or two is more realistic hehe. On the other hand, you do have a trained crew in place, ready and willing…
chrisb, you are right, this is something crazed for months to come… but we do have the crew, and soon, a really good full-time manager coming on board for the food business who will be here in Cebu 24/7… :) And it’s not really a “restaurant”… more like a slightly upscale fast meals outlet (as opposed to fast food…).
must remember to book flights to cebu in may/june then. can’t wait to try it out
wow is this may of this year? (2011)
excited!!! kaso it’s all the way pa in Cebu. yet one more reason to plan a local vacation there! fingers crossed!
too bad about the cookbook, i thought i had half my christmas gift list done!
but am truly happy for the crew! good luck, and continue the fun adventure!
I think there’s a typo in your dates MM. =)
“by mid- to late- May 2010”
CONGRATULATIONS in advance, MM! We’re so happy for you. For sure you will let us know where it’s at once you’re ready for the public. I’m from Cebu and together with my family, I will go to your resto when we get to visit Cebu again.
Congratulations MM and the crew, this is so exciting, I wish you guys good luck with this new venture! :) Hopefully, I will get to taste “the best pig ever” someday :)
OMG I got it right!!!!! I knew it, and it’s about time!!! Please please MM bring Zubuchon to Manila, as promo plane fares to Cebu are sparse! MABUHAY ZUBUCHON, BEST PIG EVER!!! #ecstaticlang
whoah… i am wrong with my guess BUT too happy to know that when I’ll eat my ZUBUCHON next time (hehehe, not on the resto next to your Banilad Outlet, that resto is accommodating too). This time it will be in ZUBUCHON’s own resto… my prayers for a very successful restaurant MM!
Yay Yay! Must stop by in Cebu on my way to Davao in May! MM, I just got confused it’s May 2011 right? (Currently it says May 2010 hehe). Wow, yay, can’t wait to try Best Pig Ever! Ermmm, will you be also serving your version of Balamban Liempo? Para killing two birds with one yummy visit!
“Marketman and crew are not only opening ONE, but TWO simple lechon restaurants in CEBU CITY by mid- to late- May 2010.”
I had to look twice. 2010 was last year, right?
MM, THANK YOU!! I will be retiring from the military in 10 months and moving to my wifes hometown of CEBU CITY, and being a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain I cannot wait to taste the “best pig ever”. congrats!
Five visits to Cebu in the past two months = hmmm, something’s brewing… (but could’ve been non-Zubuchon related I guess)
About publishing a book, so you have been approached with a book deal then? I sound brazen, I’m sorry, but you seem to imply that the problem isn’t a lack of opportunity but writing the actual book?
my guess was “definitely not c”. i was definitely wrong. ;p
i was imagining that you would open the restaurant in manila that’s why i didn’t consider it as something you would do now. but it makes sense to open it in cebu. if i’m correct, there’s no restaurant specializing in lechon in cebu, is there? cnt doesn’t count… it’s not good lechon.
Congratulations on your new venture :) Another reason to visit Cebu!
I just wish you will decide one day to write a book, that would be a great help to a wannabe cook like me. anyways, I also hope that Davaoenos will get a chance to taste zubuchon in the future. I have my picture taken when I purchased my first zubuchon lechon at BTC. Hoping my trip to cebu next month will push through, to satisfy my craving of your lechon.
Oh wow! Another reason to go back and visit Cebu.
Look forward to watching the journey unfold. Congratulations MM! :)
Not to deprecate the marketing boost that an endorsement from the roaming international ambassador of pig can give, I think Zubuchon proudly stands on its own merits.
Although you experimented with and posted paksew and sinigang na lechon way before the start of your Lechon Chronicles, I was beginning to wonder when lechon in its many guises, as mami topped with lechon, fried rice with lechon, sisig na lechon, lechon dinugun, lechon pancit, lechon paella started being posted about in quick succession. What’s in the dessert line up, lechon bucayo, lechon semi-freddo and lechon pavlova perhaps?
MM, i tried your zubuchon and it’s really good. really malasa although i have to control my portions because I felt dizzy afterwards haha. It was given as a requested pasalubong from Cebu Domestic Airport. It was the last pack available haha. Lucky me! I hope I win the prize :)
oh joy! i got myself and some friends booked for two clark-cebu round trips last week when cebpac had a seatsale. with the travel dates on mid july and late september, i will be more than ready to whoop it up at the zubuchon restaurants!
and, yes, i got the C answer down pat too!
Best of luck to you and the crew! I am sure the restaurants will be a resounding success even though I will be very far away and won’t be able to eat there every week…sigh ;) Now, please please please let letter A (the cookbook) be next :) :) Yes, with market tips, local ingredient list, and (from my own wishlist) seasonal produce calendar? If you need testers I work for free (well, ok, for food!), heeheehee :)
Hello MM! Finally am too happy that there will be two Lechonan opening soon but sigh, wish Cebu is a jeepney ride away so we could drop by anytime. Hope you’ll be opening in Manila soon kahit Zubuchon-in-a-Cart lang or in Saturday markets only. Congrats and cheers to that!
Last year in May 2010, MM ??? But you said in the next three months, so it is in May 2011. My guess is AAA, I tried to put it in last night, several times, but it won’t go through. I wish it is the COOKBOOK because Cebu is too inaccessible to me. Manila, too, pleeeaaassseee. Thank you for such an entertaining & useful blog.
Another reason to visit cebu soon!!!
Yey in Cebu! Hopefully not in a mall! :D
Aw, i wanted the cookbook! But a lechon restaurant in cebu was my second choice. Looking forward to the grand opening MM! Must schedule a trip to cebu to try out the best pig ever!
Awwww… I lost! oh well, there’s always next time! WOW! a restaurant? but not in Manila? Dang! If it’s opening mid May then I “might” actually visit Cebu for the first time just for that! I’ve never tasted the legendary Zubuchon and I’m very curious as to how it tastes like! You’ve got my full support all the way MM! Congratulations in advance!
PS. I’m also looking forward to that fabled Marketman book! :)
Oooh I am looking forward to the upcoming chronicles. I hope you won’t become too busy to write.
i too thought you were going to open a restaurant – but like i said with my reply I SELFISHLY chose A, coz it would have been the easiest for me to join the fun… Congratulations!
I got 1 in 75 chances! Yay! I’m quite excited! the lechon restaurant will another be one of those must-be places to go in Cebu!
got it wrong but happy bout your new business :) … a MUST stop if we ever get to visit Cebu … goodluck to MM & crew !!!
loser, i am. anyway, that restaurant is something i can look forward to in my upcoming trip to cebu. i have already have tickets for september. can’t wait for august to be over.
Best of luck to you, MM!!! Hope to try that “best pig, ever!!!” someday :)
How awesome!!!! Best of luck to you and the crew. A visit to your restauant will be #1 on my to do list on my next trip to the Philippines.
Soooo—after 40 or so years, it’s time to revisit Cebu…!!!!! Good luck, MM and Crew. keep us informed of the progress..
So I guess this is an incitement to go to Cebu, where, to my shame, I’ve never been despite spending months each year in the Phils. A true Manila girl…
Congratulations to you and your crew Marketman. Sayang I picked the wrong choice. I thought you’re writing a cookbook since restos will keep you really busy for as long as there are Filipinos who love lechon. My sister’s lucky though. She guessed the right answer. Good luck to you and the crew!
Congratulations Marketman and the Crew. Now I have a good reason to visit Cebu again in one of these years to come. I miss you Philippines!
Yay! I got the right answer too! I’m also thrilled about a marketman cookbook (if ever) but opening a lechon resto got me more excited cause I thought it’s gonna be here in manila. Sayang! If we were to visit Cebu, we will definitely try your lechon! I’m craving right now… :(
Maybe a vacation in Cebu will do~, how I wish you also got one in Manila.=)
how about a branch in clark or angeles city inside the sm mall? i’ve never seen a lechonan
place around the area. maybe you can sell on the side all your other specialties like
dinuguan and chicharon?
Congratulations!!!
I guess that’s why Artisan C. knows. Will he be providing some of the desserts? Wow!
MM, just typo errors in your excitement, I guess –
So what gives? Marketman and crew are not only opening ONE, but TWO simple lechon restaurants in CEBU CITY by mid- to late- May 2010. (2011?)
” ask Mr. Bourdain for fhis permission”
Congrats! and Good luck on this enterprise. My fearless forecast for 2012 is that you will be opening a branch in Metro Manila, somewhere near the south I hope.
Good luck!We’ll be home again in December so for sure kaon jud mi sa imong resto!
Oh,and what’s the address of your restaurant in Cebu?
Hi Everyone, thank you so much for your positive comments! And yes, it is 2011, not 2010, will edit immediately. Over the next two months, I will be posting about progress (or no progress) with respect to the opening… think of it as a quick how to on how to open a restaurant.
As footloose has noted, we have been constantly experimenting and testing and re-testing recipes, so there is a well of some 20-30 dishes in our lechon sphere. But many of them will not make it to the simple and straightforward menu that is currently envisioned. This is NOT a fancy sit down restaurant, more a place to get good old fashioned lechon with rice, side salads, other dishes we can’t resist, in convenient locations. It is our answer to the obvious question when people visit Cebu and ask a local… “So where can we eat the lechon that Cebu is so well known for?”
We also didn’t want a totally native set-up with sawali or bamboo as that might seem too obvious. Instead, we are going with a more modern and crisp setting… the backdrop to classically prepared, no shortcut dishes made with locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. There is a part of Marketman that loves to tinker with food, so one restaurant might have weekly specials that might seem a bit more outrageous… the most intriguing one of late is a sisig and tomato pasta that turned out AMAZING!
Also, the price points are expected to be slightly above fast food and perhaps a little below full-fledged restaurants, hence we like to refer to this as a “fast meals” kind of place… but who knows, things are still evolving.
As for Artisan, yes, he was in on the planning… as he has just perfected our pan de lechon sisig (a generous sized softer pan de sal filled with pure lechon sisig and sauce) that is a great snack or merienda item, and we will be selling it in our freezer section (THE LARDER, get it?) along with some other goodies. Still on the drawing board are other baked goods… But I need to keep some of these unannounced so as not to pre-empt everything. :)
Our LARDER will also hopefully have tampalen and backfat lard on offer, along with several other porcine delights for home cooks to rediscover and bake/cook with.
But like I said, it’s early goings, so stay tuned… Thank you.
i chose letter A, but yey! we’ll be celebrating our anniversary in cebu this yr, so im so excited to eat at your restaurant! i hope to finally get to see you in person. haha i’ll still be waiting for letter A to come to fruition, though ;p
Congratulation MM! I cant wait to come back home and visit Cebu to taste your best ever lechon.
cebu city – is it too far from the airport? because our company is near the airport so that’s the only area i’m quite familiar with whenever i’m at cebu.
i hope you can sell your frozel lechon and other frozen stuff here in manila, if opening a restaurant here is not really possible at the moment. :)
Nice! I’m going to Cebu by June, so finally I will be able to taste the Best Pig, Ever!, along with your resto’s other dishes.
Galing!!!
WOW!!! Now I better schedule a trip to Cebu! Congratulations, MM! :) And best of luck to all!
Oh I got it wrong! I thought we’ll be seeing you more on TV :)
Best of luck to you and the crew with the restaurant business. Now, I have to go on a diet, book for a hotel and buy a plane ticket and plan my Cebu itinerary. :)
MM, the pan de sal with sisig filling sounds like the pan de pao our local bakery sells every morning. Its like the siopao but instead of siopao dough they use bread dough with different tasty fillings inside like pork asado/beef teriyaki/chicken afritada/tuna casserole. They are all sold out before 8am. I believe you can do this with the lechon and Artisan’s bread.
Anyways, can’t wait to read posts on the progress of the restaurants.
YAHOO! i got it right!!! can the 75 readers be invited on the opening? lol!
WOW, MM! I’d bet my right arm that this restaurant of yours will be a success.
please make sure there’s lechon sisig on the menu, and kinilaw with coconut milk!
Waaaaah! Must go to Cebu as soon as the two branches open! I know they’ll be a hit, and yes, that means you have to open one (or two) in Manila as well. :)
Congratulations and good luck MM! :D
I knew it, I knew it. I was so right you we’re opening a lechon restaurant. I’m proud of you Marketman. REPRESENT that great tasting from Cebu my man. I was the one that always nag you about a lechon recipe and here you are. Way to go Marketman, you’re not only being good to us but, also being good to all the pinoys you are hiring to help you put this thing together. I will definitely make my way to Cebu to check out your gig when I’m back in the Philippines.
Time to schedule a trip to Cebu. Keep us posted on where and when you’ll open the resto. Goodluck MM and crew!
Yehey, I guessed right: a restaurant in Cebu! Having MM’s restaurant to look forward to makes me feel I’ve already won the prize. Reading your blog over many years, I feel I’ve really invested into your (and crew’s) dreams and seeing them come true — or sharing your meal, without the calories.
You’ll nail the cookbook some day, I have no doubt about that.
Thanks for the good news!
I have to plan a trip to Cebu next year! Awesome, congrats MM and crew!
my guess is not the right answer:( thanks MM for opening a lechon restaurant in Cebu soon, when i’ll go to Cebu together with friends, we’ll surely go to your restaurant.
YES! I got it right!!!! I have more reasons to go to Cebu! :-)
MM, good to hear po ! Am encouraged by the news ! I would envision a pares pares short order kind of setup with all things lechon on the menu. Those in know (experienced restaurant operators ) say you need a kicker. A kicker is a house specialty for some. For others, it may be the free chili sauce. The need for a kicker will become obvious when the novelty has tapered down. Good luck po ! And cheers ! Hip hip hooray !
GREAT….i was really very sure of C as the answer and so I got it BUT it makes me feel sad that you will not open a shop in Metro Mnl, or maybe you can facilitate to take the order and have it delivered….what do you think?
Have a nice day and great weekend.
Salads ? Well, it’s worth a try. I was thinking achara
aww… Sayang naman. Di bale pag pumatok naman yan baka maisipan mo din mag-open ng branch sa Manila kaso matatagalan pa yun.
Sayang. starting to save in my piggybank to buy your cookbook.
BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! Please invite me and my staff to the opening MM :-) We love your Zubuchon. We regularly have it delivered. I still remember when The Crew sent us 2 packs of sisig for free to try out. They forgot to send the instructions so we just heated it and ate it as is hahahahaha it was still fantastic anyway :-)
Woohoo! Cebu is in our itinerary when we go to the Philippines next yr! Hopefully by then, Zubuchon restaurant is successful and I hope we don’t need to stand in line forever to get seats! Congrats MM!
present tense, actually, grilled eggplant salads, tomato and dilis or red egg, unripe langka salads, and yes, several kinds of acharra like singkamas, papaya, maybe ubod… :) The “salads” are the classic accompaniments to lechon in Cebu…
Congratulations and good luck MM And crew! Oh… Happy April 1st. Waiting for your April fool’s post. :)
This is very good news!
I’ll be in the Philippines next year and will do a detour to Cebu to try yr goodies and also to support you. I’ve never been to Cebu so it’s a good excuse to see this city.
Good luck,MM!
Egad!!! My wish came true! Do I get two more wishes?
Congratulations and hope you can open in Manila….maybe start at the weekend markets?
congratulations! I voted late and voted for the cookbook though :). but looking forward to reading more about your journey into the food biz…
or else i’ll be FORCED to buy the PISO fare to get to Cebu :-)
cool! good luck mm :D
Whaaaat, no april fool’s post?!
lost on the vote but happy just the same; i now have the chance of tasting Zubuchon fresh from the lechonan.
got to re-route my bohol trip this october so i can make a side trip to Cebu. :)
congratulations and best wishes to MM and the Crew!
Another reason to visit Cebu!
sayang, I picked A…Congratulations on the new venture! We will be in Cebu from 6-8 May – will the restaurant be open by then? If not, where do we go to have a taste of Zubuchon?
This is such good news! We are all excited! There can never be enough lechon restaurants in Cebu.
i knew it!.. hehe so the odds is 1 / 75….
Congrats MM
mylene, I doubt the restaurant(s) will be open by early May. Late May or early June for both is probably more realistic…
i made the right choice, so most probably i will win in the contest.. with the piso fare and low fares of other airlines, it would be very easy to go to Cebu and try the best pig ever! congrats to MM and crew!
will troll cebupacific’s site for cheap tickets. :)
yehey! got it right! i’ll be in Cebu from the 27th of April til’ 1st of May…i’ll definitely bring home a Zubuchon for pasalubong….by the way MM…what time does your Zubuchon outlet at Mactan Airport closes?
yehey! got it right! post no. 383! i’ll be in Cebu from the 27th of April til’ 1st of May…i’ll definitely bring home a Zubuchon for pasalubong….by the way MM…what time does your Zubuchon outlet at Mactan Airport closes? :) sorry for the double posting…
awww, got the answer wrong, but still happy for this new venture of yours, MM
the best of luck to zubuchon
YES!!!!! I was right!!! and im still hoping and waiting for a chance to have a taste of ur lechon and other porcine products here………………….in Melbourne!!!
Jeff, the airport outlet closes at 9-10pm (depending on flight schedules), but they usually run out of “fresh” lechon by 6pm unless you order it in advance. They should have frozen from the time they open at 4am until closing at 9pm. Please call 032 236 5264 for more information and to reserve lechons… thanks!
thanks MM!
Happy to be wrong… Note to self: Book a flight to Cebu in June.
Congratulations on this new venture! You have everyone’s best wishes and prayers for success! I’ll keep waiting for THE book, MM.
Congratulations, MM! Oh what fun. I was wrong, but will be looking forward to eating at your restaurant. Only thing, can’t go home til next year pa.
yey got it right!! =))
Congrats, good luck and God speed!
Would there be torta? I hope after you get the feel of things, you’d expand the lechon restaurant to a full Filipino fare restaurant, to include your ensaymadas, leche flans, mangosteen cake, cansi, puchero, 3-hour adobo, et. al……
Wow! I really have to come back to Cebu that I’ve been putting off for years now.
Good Luck on the Restaurant. I’m sure it will do well. I’ll go with my mom next time she goes there. I haven’t been, but mom goes every year. Please open in Manila soon.
Yay! like what I thought! It’s a restaurant! Better luck next time to me though ‘coz i choosed my other guess > writing a cookbok! :)
Good luck to you and your crew! :) Hope to visit one outlet soon! :)
Guessed wrong but happy to read of the restaurant venture. Makes me tinker with the idea of a side trip to Cebu while visiting Manila, just for the pleasure of eating Zubuchon and possibly taking back home a frozen package (does the lechon freeze well?)
Good luck and warm wishes for a successful start!
Superb news! and delicious to boot!
Hahahaha! I can’t stop myself from commenting. Congratulations Marketman. I am just sad I haven’t tasted your lechon yet. My friends are raving about it.
Best Pig everrrrrr!!!!!!!!
Congratulations MM! and also to the crew!
Yey to me as well! I got the correct answer!
Drats! I got it wrong. But good news nonetheless. Hopefully next time I’m in Cebu I’ll be able to eat at your resto :-)
i hate you marketman for making me guess the wrong answer!! hahaha seriously speaking, you need to put these things into writing. man! you are one gifted dude and you gotta think of the people coming in the generations to come. they have to have a feel and taste of your specialties! kidding aside, i think what made this blog very unique is your love to test things out. you read recipes, try them first and then make your own version. the best part? its when you point out what works well and what works better! those small bits of information are very important and speaks of SUCCESS when its our turn to try the recipe. think about the book. it will be your BEST gift to the next generation. :)
Congratulations on your venture. According to Michelin, three stars are awarded to restaurants offering “exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey”. I bet people from far flung areas like Manila will be packing their bags and journey to Cebu to partake of the best pig, ever. And like what was said in the previous comments, its another reason why people should visit Cebu.
That’s a great news but please open one in Metro Manila soon! Congratulations on your new venture!
Good luck on your new venture! It will be a success – for sure!
hahaha… i’m correct!!! will look forward to this business venture, MM!!! hope there would be a “Lipitor Booth” somewhere near your resto… nyahahahaha… cheers to Zubuchon!!!
Wow, congratulations, MM! I am excited with Cebu’s resto scene. You are a happy welcome addition. Good luck1
I think a visit to Cebu is in order once your place is up and running.
Woohoo, got it right, I knew it! Congrats to you and The Crew! Plus, an official “blessing” from Mr. Bourdain as well. Niiice.
P.S. “Instead, we are going with a more modern and crisp setting…” <—there's a pun in there somewhere. ;-)
In August 2007 when Zubuchon was not even a naked lightbulb in your imagination, you wrote: “I am not seeking fancy, I am seeking solid basics, possibly with a twist that improves, rather than dilutes. Arrrghhh, I am so agonizing over this. Maybe I will just write a draft and bind it and continuously improve it until I get over the fear of publishing…”
One cannot wait for the river to run dry before crossing it. May I be the first to suggest a title? The Zubuchon and Market Manila Cookbook.
wait, wait…this is not an April Fool’s joke, huh, MM? say it is not!
I think i just might need to book a plane ticket as early as now. Give us the date and we’ll flood the place MM!
i might be able to eat at the restaurant when i go home in june!!! let’s see if my sister can find me a flight…..yummmmm….
Hi Marketman,
have tried your excellent cooking banana treats! So yummie! Will make another batch right now!
Wohoo!!! Will definitely drop by your restaurant when I come home in Dec. Good luck MM and all the best!
Must make plans to go to Cebu. And that’s just to eat in your restaurant! MM, You should start taking reservations! I’m sure people will flock to your restaurants! I hope it won’t take a year to get a table! : )
On a not so related note, would it be too much to ask that you share your experiences in opening a business? Would be interesting (and helpful to aspiring & current entrepreneurs!) to see how one’s passion can really evolve into a source of living.
Yeay, we are planning a trip to Cebu in August of this year. I will be sure to find on of your restaurants, hope it will be open by then.
“yikes-i-better-get-cracking-on-a-cookbook” – yes, you should, MM, please!! I had used the recipes that you had posted here and found them to be easy and wonderful.. there’s nothing like preparing a well-tested recipe that is easy-to-follow and this i find in whatever recipe i attempted from this site. and btw, congrats on these new ventures! here’s wishing you great success and i personally don’t think you’re doing this for financial reasons. i think you are doing this for your crew and their family.. hat’s off to you MM!!
btw, that anthony bourdain quote made me misty-eyed. at these times when our country is beset with negative publicity, it is heartwarming to see that we can, and should be recognized for all of our other achievements.
woW! i’ll watch out for the opening of ur restaurant here in cebu…so excited…
Congratulations!! here’s hoping you would also open in Manila… I know it’s a lot harder since your base is really in Cebu but am sure with your expertise it would be a big hit here!! will be crossing my fingers on this.. saw a lot of videos with the usual lechon restaurants and its sooo dirty!! talk about roaches on your food.. eew! they would all close down once your resto opens here for all lechon loving customers would surely flock to your resto.. *still trying my best to convince you to open here.. lol*
Wonderful timing for the restaurant opening! My family will be going to the Philippines for a vacation in June/July. We’re shutting out eyes to the steep airfares this year and just going for it no matter how expensive. I have a ton of things I want to do on our 3-week stay, but one of the “Must Do” things on my list is to go to Cebu for a taste of Zubuchon. You can’t imagine how much I’ve missed the taste of lechon (any good Pinoy lechon) for the past 7 years. It has always been my favorite food. The craving got even worse after I saw that Bourdain episode! I still watch the whole episode everytime I catch an airing of it.
I am so willing to go to Cebu if only to taste the best lechon ever! I was thinking that if I couldn’t swing that side trip, I was willing to have one of those babies flown to me in Manila even if I needed to call a clan reunion just to help me consume it! Now I have even more reason to go. I’m so looking forward to the experience and I hope we get a chance to meet you and your crew while we’re there.
Wishing you the best on your new venture!
I love the dailiness or almost dailiness of checking your blog. Don’t give that up: your writing is so effortless and spontaneous but also so “in the moment.” It’s the food and photos, but also the little glimpses of your personal life that I love.
This is late, but I think you should write a memoir, food-related of course.
too bad i didn’t get the correct choice :( but i’m still very happy for you!! opening “a slightly upscale fast meals outlet (as opposed to fast food…)” will consume your time even if you’ll have a manager on board, but we’ll all be looking forward to your updates. i really hope you can open one in Manila in the future but for now, i’d like to congratulate you for having this opportunity. You deserve all the blessings that are coming your way =)
May we know which area in cebu? I havent been to cebu for a long time. Just more reasons to visit.
Make us proud MM!
Great news MarketMan! Now to plot some way to find myself in Cebu later this year. This will be such a wonderful development for the local (Cebu / Philippine) food scene! Thank you for always sharing your food with us. :)
happy for you and the crew MM!
will finally get to taste my 1st zubuchon this evening! was at an early flight to davao kanina kaya di ko na naabutan yung ‘fresh’ lechon. Pagpasok ko pa lang sa airport, zubuchon stall na kagad hinanap ko Ü
That’s good news. Here’s another future good news, “RobKSA opening first zubuchon franchise in mandaluyong city”, lol. Goodluck, it will be hard but i’m sure you guys will succeed!
Congratulations to you and the crew! I finally got to eat my first Zubuchon (love the packaging and the sassy looking pig logo, by the way!) when I went home for Christmas and I’ve to agree with Anthony Bourdain–it REALLY is the best!
Congratulations and best of luck on your new endeavor!
Hi MM, am really looking forward to Cebu soon! Good luck with the venture and we wish you all the best! Cant wait to try “the best pig ever”!!! =)
will be in cebu early june. will visit my mother there. hope we could drop by your resto for lunch, and hope it has offerings for a pescetarian like me. =D
i was part of the 50 who are too confusing to tally. but i was right about not choosing the cookbook nor a TV stint. don’t we get a prize as well for making you confused? haha good luck with the new business. im quite sure that it will be a sure hit. with a good following on the web and a few review here and there, the words about it will spread so fast.
will mr. bourdain be there on the opening? Good luck with the planning.
Hi MM
Congratulations on your new venture. And I have to agree with the others please start your cookbook. I will surely be one of the patrons :D
wow, that’s so amazing congratulations to you and your crew. my family and i really love zubuchon. hope we can go back again to cebu this year.
Time to book a flight for Cebu.It’s been almost a year since my last taste of Zubuchon and I feel the taste buds tingling for another taste of the “Best Pig Ever”.
More power to you MarketMan! Naku, lalo nang dapat isingit namin ang trip to Cebu next time kami umuwi ni misis sa Manila!
Also very excited about THE LARDER and the pan de lechon and backfat!
yey!!! i got it right!
who won the raffle? :)
OMG!!! I am so excited! I think I told you before that I visited your Banilad branch and blogged about my whole Zubuchon experience. So glad that you’re going to open restaurants na! Can I write about this? Haha! I’m so happy!