Crocheted doilies, coasters, goblet slip-ons, glass holders, pretty scallop-edged linen placemats, mug and pitcher covers—these are just some of the things Krinoche makes.
Krinoche is a company set up by sisters Vicky and Venice Valdez. They formed a group of women to revive crocheting.
Crocheting was a thriving cottage industry in Laguna in the ’60s. Today, the Valdezes’ company employs 50 crochet experts.
According to the sisters, each product they sell is a labor of love. Seeing how intricate each piece is, we don’t doubt that.
There’s something for everyone—a shawl, a bag, or head or hair accessories. The company can also custom-make anything.
If table accessories do not excite you, maybe a crocheted bikini would?
Call and visit between today and Aug. 31 for Krinoche’s pre-Christmas sale, during which everything is 50-percent off (tel. 0917-8863210).
Frutti Nutti. Aida Garcia takes pride in her trail mixes—a nutritious mix of nuts and dried fruit. The fact that she imports all kinds of fruits and nuts, and only in small quantities, guarantees freshness.
Her trail mix variants include Original, Trekker’s Trails, Triple Berry Mix, Sunburst Munchies and Cherry-Berry Munch. Frutti Nutti also sells nuts and dried fruits solo. The quality makes them perfect ingredients for fruitcakes. Call 7220472.
Iya’s Pastillas. I have always been a fan of Iya Lagdameo’s Jumbo Pastillas. I like the original variant, as well as the ube.
Iya has come up with new variants, all equally good, such as green tea, chocnut, peanut butter and, my favorite—yema.
To order these specialty flavors, call 7290325.
Whisk is a company owned by two budding chefs, Czarina Yu and Cheryll Lim. They whip up salad dressings and dips.
Of their dressings, you must try Raspberry Vinaigrette, a well-balanced concoction— sweet, spiced, herbal, a bit sour with a tinge of salt. The Asian-sesame mayonnaise-based dressing is also good. Great with grilled chicken and mixed greens. Call 0922-8866899, 0928-5050355.
R.L. Lapid’s-Manila’s fries are my new indulgence. These are popcorn-size chicharon bits that are so addicting and delicious, especially with Lapid’s suka; only P12 a pack. They’re also perfect for sprinkling on food. Have them cook these treats fresh for you when you order. Call 4433083-84.
Aguila Breakfast Sausage. At Unimart, there’s a pack of Aguila breakfast sausages. I tried them recently but instead of cooking them the regular way, I popped them into a toaster oven. The franks were crunchy, juicy and flavorful, like bacon sausages, though a bit on the salty side. When paired with pancakes and real maple syrup, they’re to die for!
Joy Bonoan’s Food for the Gods. Unlike other variants that are too rich and sinful, Joy’s is a lighter version, but also delicious. You can have them any time of the day without feeling guilty. Call 7215800, 7214154.
Lavash and Zatar. My Purefoods Corned Beef partner, Gene Gonzalez, makes delicious lavash, or flat bread. His is chewy. I like it with cheese of all sorts, especially chevre.
Also perfect with lavash is Gene’s zatar dip made from Middle Eastern herbs and spices with olive oil. For orders, call 7269326, 7255089.
Mi Casa Kitchen Spray. I discovered the sweetest-smelling kitchen spray when I visited my good friends, Spanish Chorizo queens Myleen and Colleen Huenefeld.
After cooking sausages, we sprayed the kitchen with Mi Casa’s Grapefruit and Eucalyptus Spray. The scent enhances the dining experience while taking away kitchen odor. Call 7218822.
Interior decorators. Just finished renovating my kitchen with the help of interior decorators Gin Samson and Gelo del Mundo, and I am very happy! I tell them what I like and they draw it exactly as my mind pictures it.
If you are in search of interior decorators, I highly recommend the tandem. They are very reliable, visit the site regularly, easy to set an appointment with and are so quick to give alternative designs, complete with 3D renderings and all the measurements. They are like doctors on call! Best of all, they are very reasonable. Call 0917-8585671.
I would like to apologize to my dear friend, the newlywed Miriam Balingit Ocampo, for my typo error (Mariam) last week. I wish you and Rad a happy ever after!
For my new cooking class schedules, call 0917-5543700, 0908-2372346, 4008496, 9289296
