Bacolod boy and celebrity chef JP Anglo has been a surfer for six years now. More than a way of keeping fit, he says, it was in the waves that he finds balance and inspiration.
Surfing enthusiasts say the sport is the art of gliding over the waves using the body as a planning surface. Likewise, it is a sport of riding waves in an upright or prone position, where the surfer’s goal is to glide across the surface of the water using a surfboard until the wave breaks and loses energy.
It was Cris Par, a local surfing instructor from La Union, who taught Chef JP how to surf. As he gets deeper into the sport, he also works out to prepare his body for the next best surfing experience.
“I try to be fit, because of surfing. Everything in my workout routine is related to surfing. It may look cool for a sport, but it’s hard. I am thankful for it made me grounded,” says Chef JP.
In fact, in a stroke of luck, what was seemed to be a hobby led him to a hosting gig for a travel show in CNN Philippines that features his love of surfing and his passion for local culinaria.
Just as a surfer glides freely along the waves, he explains, ideas flow overwhelmingly and naturally as he concocts new dishes for commissioned projects or his thriving restaurant businesses. It was, indeed, surfing that fuels his creative juices.
In all of his surfing adventures in different places in the country, he makes sure he brings his celebrity status to good use by uplifting home cooked Filipino flavors and the story of the local people enjoying them.
Such is the reason Tanduay Distillers took an interest on his work and eventually made Chef JP its newest brand ambassador. “I love cooking with alcohol. When I started surfing, I used Tanduay in the dishes I make. When we opened our restaurant Sarsa, we put Tanduay in our garlic rice or when we sautéed onions,” he reveals.
He even shares how in one of his trips to Siargao he prepared lugaw and sardinas with left over Tanduay rhum from a drinking session the night before. Together with friends and the local community where they stayed, they all shared the humble meal made special with Tanduay rhum.
“What makes Tanduay gather a strong following like me as a lifestyle influencer? First, we’re both local. Affordable, pero malakas ang dating. Flavor is complex, but it hits the spot. My cooking is rooted in familiarity and comfort, and at the same time, satisfaction. Lastly, when we drink Tanduay, it’s always a happy feeling,” sums up Chef JP.
Watch Chef JP creates specialty dishes that perfectly match Tanduay rhum in a new series of online videos posted on the Tanduay Rhum official Facebook page.
Check out my previous article on Tanduay:
1. https://thetennisfoodie.com/filipino-pride-tanduay-ranked-worlds-no-1-rum/
I have to check this out! I love cooking with alcohol and making fun cocktails, too. I know I’ll get so much inspiration from watching him!
I actually cook with alcohol fairly often. I need to check his stuff out!
I have never surfed, but it does seem to me from watching surfing that it is a sport that places your mind and body in a place where you would find balance and clarity. I can see where Anglo would find this inspirational.
I also find when cooking that you should have a sense of balance, so the pairing of Tauguay and Angelo seems perfect. Thank you for a great read!
Blessings,
Anita
I have yet to cook with alcohol. I hear it’s a great experience
I’d like to learn more about cooking with alcohol. I only use wine on rare occasions. I’m going to have to watch him to get a better sense on how it’s done.
I have always admired surfers! I love the water but I am not sure I would ever attempt to ride a wave. Funny how life leads to such career paths!
Back home we use wine or beer for cooking, mostly meat. I don’t think I’ve ever cooked or ate food with rum, sounds like something I should try soon 🙂
Standing up on a surfboard for the first time was an indescribable and thrilling experience for me. I love how adding surfing into your life has helped your culinary career too!
A chef who is also a surfer pretty cool! I like how he was featured in the Phillipines on CNN for this!
Wow gling naman ni chef hehe
Ill try that one. Tanduay sa garlic rice. Haha. Magustuhan ko kaya yung lasa. I bet
Oh really will try it.
Ooohhhh…it’s nice to know about Chef JP and the good fortunes he’s had with surfing! Personally, I am so afraid of big waters like those. I’ll check him out on Facebook!
Man, that guy is living the life! Surfing, cooking, and enjoying a good drink. I dig it.
It sounds like the perfect partnership! Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t tried cooking with alcohol but this seems good so I’d like to try it too! Wish me luck!
I think Chef JP is the perfect face for Tanduay. Tanduay is very Filipino and Chef JP is very much an expert when it comes to local cuisine.
Interesting to learn about people’s passions and interests! Thanks for sharing.
I enjoyed reading this. I’ve never cooked with alcohol but would love to one day.
I’ve never tried cooking with rum, but this has inspired me to give it a try! I think I’ll start with Chef Anglo’s idea of adding it when sauteeing onions. I bet the flavor is amazing!
Love these ideas for rum, it adds so much flavor to everything!
Ahhhh!! Tanduay!! The amoy chiko after!
Nice to know that the new face of this brand is a male model!
Wow! I’ll definitly have to check this out! Thanks for sharing. I’m always on the look out for chef’s I’ve not heard of!