Jam Bandilla

Connect What is your signature dish?

My signature dish tends to change. I learn something new everyday, but right now it’s Pork Sisig. I was born and raised in the Philippines and I love sharing my culture with others. This was always the dish that I make for my friends who have never tried filipino food. It’s packed with citrus, chillies, and alliums. I balance it with a bit of sweetness too since it’s already heavily savory with pork, tofu, and soy sauce. Goes great with a chilled pint and good company.

Who is your culinary inspiration?

My mother and grandmother loved to host back home. I have a lot of good memories tied to food. We didn’t have a lot back then, but when we got together for fiestas to have a meal back in the village, it didn’t feel that way. We would spend the whole night before the fiesta, butcher a whole pig and use all the parts. Everyone would pitch in to help. I feel the same way at work nowadays too. I like bringing that type of community into that high pressure, demanding environment. It&rsquo

What would you do with the $25,000?

Ideally, I’d love to put it into my end goal, which is to open up my own restaurant. But the times are tough, right now. I would most likely use it to support my mother, who I just petitioned from the Philippines two months ago. I’d use it for her treatment for her severe psoriasis and diabetes. And whatever doesn’t go into that will go into my personal and career goals.