As foodpanda continues to help the food and beverage industry survive and thrive in the new normal, the on-demand food delivery service takes a moment to honor the outstanding establishments that embody the inspiring Filipino traits of determination and resilience. The pandawards celebrates business and entrepreneur excellence under foodpanda, and serves as the latest of several initiatives designed to show support and appreciation to its growing family of partners and consumers.
“Cooking and concocting something new is a way of life for food and beverage businesses, but the recent year proved to be a test of their character that was beyond their comfort zone. Through pandawards, we are able to highlight inspiring figures whose hard work, creativity, and positive attitude led to their success. Their stories are an inspiration for homegrown and start-up brands in fighting and winning in the business,” says Daniel Marogy, foodpanda Philippines managing director.
In true foodpanda fashion, the awards were delivered straight to the winners in their award-winning food establishments. G Who and Zyberus of Filipino beatbox group Microphone Mechanics, disguised as foodpanda riders out to pick up orders, before dropping the beat in an impromptu awarding ceremony. Here are the best of the best, according to customers.
Summa Cum Panda Award: 24 Chicken
Winning the “Summa Cum Panda Award” was 24 Chicken, a big-selling Korean fried chicken chain that ranks as one of the highest-rated restaurants on foodpanda with a whopping average of 4.682 stars.
With its high-quality ingredients to budget-friendly prices, it’s not hard to see why its menu is a smash-hit success among its regulars. 24 Chicken owner Jeff started the business in 2017 as a one-man team who did all the cooking and deliveries. By offering the magical taste of authentic Korean special fried chicken at a budget-friendly price, the brand now has seven branches and an assortment of exciting flavors to choose from. One of the best-sellers is the Jack Daniels Chicken or boneless deep-fried chicken tossed in a special Jack Daniels sauce.
“[We are] very grateful for this award,” 24 Chicken owner Jeff says. “We will continue to strive harder to bring the best quality and service to our customers.”
Sarap na Binabalik-balikan Award: Mark & Grace Bakeshop
Mark & Grace Bakeshop began with simple pandesal offerings in 2017. Through the dedication and hard work of its owners, the business has grown and diversified its product portfolio with special pastries.
Foodies can’t seem to get enough of Mark & Grace’s hopia ube topped with sesame seeds, the hulking Spanish bread, the must-try crunchy fried ube, and other treats. With products that get customers coming back for more, Mark & Grace Bakeshop is this year’s winner of the pandawards “Sarap na Binabalik-balikan Award.”
“Thank you foodpanda for acknowledging our efforts. We will continue to do our job very well to serve our customers,” Mark & Grace Bakeshop owner Mark says.
Go Forth and Multiply Award: EmoTEAra Cafe
Blending the Filipinos’ love for hugot lines and milk tea to great success, EmoTEAra Cafe is among foodpanda’s partner-restaurants with the biggest franchise expansion in recent months.
The milk tea shop managed to go forth and multiply from having a single store in March to 20 today. The secret to its success? Compassion. EmoTEAa Cafe owner, Jeffrey, made sure to help his family and friends during the roughest stretch of the pandemic last year by giving them branches of his business.
“As a partner, tinulungan talaga ni foodpanda ‘yung life namin,” Jeffrey says.
Diskartepreneur Award: Jackson’s Fried Chicken
When the pandemic hit, foodpanda worked with the owner of Jackson’s Fried Chicken to satisfy Filipino’s fried chicken cravings. The success from the shift now leads to the pandawards win for the “Diskartepreneur Award.”
Engineered for maximum impact, discover ingenuity on your palate with Jackson’s Fried Chicken’s crispy and juicy chicken popcorn, as well as its winning take on the Pinoy spaghetti.
Juan for All, All for Juan Award: Yumzie
A strong sense of camaraderie defines the working relationship of employees for Yumzie. Now, it has also paved the way for the snack bar to take home the pandawards “Juan for All, All for Juan Award.”
Yumzie’s selling point is a hodgepodge of intensely savory snacks from siomai to shanghai, fries to smoothies, and other pleasingly affordable selection of snacks.
Through their stories, both food and beverage business owners and consumers will never look at this industry the same way again.
Catch the creative coronation and the winners’ reactions on https://www.facebook.com/foodpandaphilippines. Like and follow the Facebook page, including foodpanda’s official Instagram account at instagram.com/foodpanda_ph. Download and order through the foodpanda app now at www.foodpanda.ph.