The tocino burger made by Pinoy is on the cover of an American food magazine
A tocino burger made by Pinoy landed on the July 2022 cover of an American food magazine whose issue is dedicated to innovators in the food and beverage industry.
The ube bun burger is produced by the PogiBoy restaurant, a comfort food restaurant in the Block Foodhall and Bar in Washington DC.
It is the signature dish of Filipino chefs Tom Cunnan and Paolo Dungcathe people behind the establishment.
The tocino burger is also reported be a menu fan favorite.
It consists of “two juicy, heavily seasoned tocino and pork patties sandwiched in a bright purple ube bun with caramelized pineapple, crispy and sour green papaya achara and a “secret sauce” creamy, according to cooks.
The burger is partly inspired by the “chori burger” or “chorizo burger” of the Philippines and Dungca’s childhood memories of eating stir-fried tocino with garlic rice for breakfast.
Dungca said their team “wanted to bring that comfort and nostalgia to the burger” by incorporating tocino into the pork patties.
“Filipino food comes from the heart. This recipe is very personal to us because it brings us so much comfort and joy to be able to share our heritage and our cuisine with everyone. It makes us so proud to be Filipino chefs who cook Filipino dishes,” he said before.
Their burger recently graced the cover of “The Innovator Issue” of “Food & Wine,” published once a year by the magazine to shine a light on the leaders who are changing the way people eat and drink.
“You’ll find them in our second annual F&W Game Changers List which features 16 people and companies making hospitality and packaged goods smarter, more sustainable, more inclusive and more delicious for everyone,” he said. on an Instagram post.
The magazine added that among its features is “a look at the rise of Filipino chefs and cuisine in America”, including its “cover star“.
Dungca also expressed amazement after being featured by the magazine.
“Man, who would have thought?! Filipino cuisine on the cover of @foodandwine magazine! @pogiboydc,” he wrote on instagramtagging their restaurant account.
“Big thanks to @khushandoj, @andeemationcooking, @winslowtaft and the rest of the Food and Wine team for making this dream come true. NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS,” the chef added.
“Finally, thank you @scottsuchman, @lisacherkasky for making this shoot truly awesome! Mabuhay Ang Lutong Pinoy! We are our ancestors’ wildest dream,” Dungca added with Philippine flag emojis.
The restaurant also thanked the team and its customers for their support.
“To say we are overwhelmed with the support and love we have received for our @foodandwine COVER is an understatement,” PogiBoy said on a Instagram post.
“Thank you to all of our neighbours, friends and family for being with us every step of the way. Opening up in the midst of the pandemic has been no small feat; we have learned so much along the way and our history just getting started! he added.
“Thank you @khushandoj & @foodandwine for the dreamy feature and cover. Thank you @andeemationcooking for bringing the recipe to life,” the post added.
The achievement was also recognized by the outgoing tourism secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat who said she was “so proud” of Filipino chefs.
“(Philippine flag emoji) burger on cover of Food & Wine magazine (raised hands emoji),” she wrote on an Instagram story, reposting Dungca’s post.
