Fhred Erick Batalona

I'm a Chef and an Advocate for Filipino Cuisine and Culture in Australia, mainly in Melbourne. I've been cooking since I was 9 years old with the guidance of my Mum. Alma. She introduced me to the joys of cooking and showed me that cooking is about learning your roots and understanding it's story. I studied Hospitality Management specialising in Culinary Arts when I was 15 years old at Southville International School Affiliated with Foreign Universities in the Philippines.  When I was 16 my college friends and I started our cupcake business called, The Cupcake Bar. That's where I felt connected with being creative and patisserie in general. I moved to Melbourne, Australia when I was 19 to study again and attain a Bachelors Degree in Culinary Management at William Angliss Institute. I finished it with I was 21 years old and got a Head Chef role at Ciel Cafe. 

 

I've since then worked for the following establishments in Melbourne: Sake, The Langham, L Hotel Gitan, Highlander Bar, Pink The Restaurant, Billie Buoy, Koko Black and Bar Pigalle. 

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I started Barangay, a Filipino catering and pop-up restaurant in Melbourne. It means " Small Village" in Tagalog. I created it to allow me to reconnect with my roots as a Filipino. As a Filipino Chef, people will always asked me these questions "What is Filipino Cuisine?" and "Where is the best place to eat Filipino Food?". I would always have a hard time answering this questions, because I myself don't know the answer yet. 

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However, when I was working for Bar Pigalle, the owner Poppy, allowed me to do a Filipino Night at the Bar. My friends, Whisky Falls and Trey Frenchie, helped me with it. It was only supposed to be a Filipino night with a 4 course meal and a drink, but I had an inkling to start Barangay. It has been in the backburner for 3 years then. 

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Barangay has opened the doors for me to re-explore what it means to be Filipino, what flavours and culture at we need to represent in Melbourne. 

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It allowed me to be featured on newspapers such as The Philippine Times, Herald Sun and Manila Standards. To be interviewed by Rico Hizon of CNN Philippines, Winnie Cordero of Winner Sa Life by DZZM  Teleradyo and ABS-CBN. 

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To make my own song along with Angela Tin, JunelZki and Shiela Mae called "Diwa ng Paskong Filipino", which is out on Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube. 

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My goal to further share my recipes, my stories, my advocacy for Filipino cuisine and culture won't end that fast. 

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I'm hoping to take everyone that follows me on a wild ride and inspire people as I pursue my goals. 

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This is not the end, but still is a continuous adventure. So come along with me. 

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Tara? (Let's go)